The Danish model and flexicurity

When Per Kongshøj Madsen, one of the fathers of the flexicurity Danish model, from the CARMA centre of the University of Aalborg, writes an excellent synthesis about flexicurity and the Danish model. You will learn what are the 4 pillars of flexicurity, and have a balanced view on the Danish model, far from the excessive views of those who worship it and those who hates it. This paper has been prepared for the European Employment Observatory, and is a Danish contribution to the EEO Autumn Review 2006 ‘Flexicurity’.

Introduction

The period since 1993 has been a ‘golden age’ for the Danish labour market. In 2006, recorded unemployment was at its lowest level since 1975, and the employment rate is now the highest in the European Union. This has attracted a good deal of international attention. Thus OECD has cited the Danish combination of a flexible labour market and high social security as a role model for other European countries (OECD, 2004, chapter 2). In connection with EU’s employment strategy, and in individual EU countries such as Germany and France, Denmark has been used as a textbook example of how a member country can combine a dynamic economy, high employment and social security. In the international debate on flexicurity – or ways of combining labour market flexibility and social security – references to Denmark abound (Wilthagen 1998; Wilthagen and Tros 2004; Madsen 2003; European Commission, 2006, chapter 3).

Comparing Flexicurity in Denmark and Japan

As usual, an interesting comparative study from the famous Danish Centre for Labour Market Research at Aalborg University (CARMA), where Thomas Bredgaard (assistant professor, ph.d.) and Flemming Larsen (associate professor) are comparing two types of labour markets, in Denmark and in Japan. A good opportunity to develop your knowledge on the japanese labour market, which will surprise you.