Flexible employment models are essential for both retaining and creating jobs, allowing businesses to remain adaptable and competitive. These models include fixed-term contracts, part-time work and temporary positions through agencies, and they are a key component of an inclusive and dynamic labor market. They complement traditional full-time and permanent employment opportunities and are vital for enhancing job quality and employability.
Such flexibility not only benefits employers but also improves employees’ work-life balance, enabling them to find new jobs when existing ones become unavailable. This is particularly advantageous for vulnerable groups, including young individuals entering the workforce, long-term unemployed people, and low-skilled workers, helping them re-enter the labor market.
However, the International Organization of Employers (IOE) cautions against labeling flexible employment as “insecure, dangerous, and unreliable.” The International Confederation of Trade Unions (ICTU) defines precarious work as characterized by atypical contracts, limited social benefits, high job insecurity, low wages, and significant risks of workplace injuries or illnesses. Employers are concerned about vague definitions of precarious work, especially the assertion that flexible employment is inherently unsafe.
Employers remain committed to fundamental labor rights and principles, arguing that illegal employment practices should be actively discouraged. The IOE underscores the distinction between insecure jobs and flexible employment arrangements, emphasizing the importance of flexibility for workers, employers, and the overall economy.
Flexible work options are critical for sustainable development, economic prosperity, and social stability. They contribute to a supportive environment for employment, entrepreneurship and job creation, especially in a landscape influenced by crises and demographic changes. Expanding lawful and regulated work options is essential for both employers and employees to create and secure jobs effectively.
