” “"The reforms of the job market are bearing fruits, but if Europe wants to effectively respond to the challenges of globalisation and the quick decrease in the active population, it must aim at flexi-security". The report on the job market in the 27 EU member states, drawn up by the EU Commission in the run-up to the Council of MEPs of 22nd February, is commented by MEP Vladimír pidla. "Workers he explains must be able to move from one job to the next easily and fearlessly". So we need reforms that combine flexibility and security and "they must be enforced in such a favourable economic stage as the one that is looming ahead". The EU Commission issues some specific recommendations for most member states; on the other hand, it confirms that overall unemployment is on the decrease (at between 8 and 9%) while employment is on the rise. "The employment rate for elderly workers has risen from 41% in 2004 to 42.5% in 2005, but a lot remains to be done to attain the target of 50% by 2010". The critical factors remain the widespread presence of "off-the-book work"; in addition, "young, disabled and migrant workers are still on the fringe of the job market". (to be continued)” “
