Flexicurity - En komparativ studie av de danska och svenska systemen

Flexicurity is a union of the English words flexibility and security. The union of the two words to one common term, hints that flexibility and security does not have to be each others counterparts in order to achieve good economical development and employment. Flexicurity, as it is found in Denmark, is described as a three part model composed of active labour market politics, generous financial compensation in the case of unemployment and flexible labour law. The existence of strong collective agreements and three part cooperation is of great importance for the good flow of the Danish model. The same goes for education of different kinds. The purpose of the model is to increase the mobility on the labour market which benefits employees as well as employers and also the society at large. The torrent from unemployment back to regular employment needs to be rapid if the model is to be functioning in a satisfying way. All parts of the model are therefore striving to attain just that. The Danish model of today was founded in the awareness of crisis that followed the economic hardship that the country endured during the eighties. Changes since then has been made mainly in the areas of unemployment fund, public assistance allowances and active labour market politics. Danish labour law is basically the same today as during the years of the late eighties. Continuously strong economical development and well adjusted financial politics is also conditions that is needed for the model to be able to generate the high rates of employment numbers that is to be found in Denmark today. To be able to preserve present generous rules of compensation, it is demanded that both access of manpower and rates of employment continue to rise. The Danish and Swedish economies are very similar with e.g. comparatively high numbers of employment. Both models are to a great extension based on collective agreements and supported by a large public financed welfare system. Many other countries has with admiration observed the fortunate Danish model. To make a direct copy of it and try to introduce it to the system of another country would be very difficult since it has developed during a long period. It is also strongly connected to the remaining system of welfare politics. In Sweden, Centerpartiet has launched proposals of reforms of the employment protection that to some extension can be deduced to the Danish system. These ideas are to some extension to be found in the new governments budget proposal for 2007. The fact that the two neighbours are making use of each others experiences within the area should however benefit all parts