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- October 13, 202619°
- BIST10012,151-0.94%
- USD49.220.00%
- EUR55.21+0.28%
- GOLD4,195.90-0.48%
- INTEREST37.00%-1.00
- BITCOIN82,825-1.01%
- October 13, 202619°
Insecure work is becoming widespread in Europe
According to Eurofound data, one in every 11 workers in Europe works in insecure jobs against their will. The situation in Italy, Spain, Poland, and the Netherlands...
A significant portion of workers across Europe are forced to continuously take on temporary jobs because they cannot secure permanent and full-time employment. This situation, defined as involuntary non-standard employment, has brought job security debates back to the forefront on the continent.
According to Eurofound data, about one in every 11 workers in the European Union falls into this group. The institution suggests the actual number may be even higher, and young workers feel the impact of this insecure structure more severely.
Highlights
- About one in every 11 workers in the EU is in insecure jobs against their will.
- Italy leads the list with approximately 20%.
- The rate in Spain is measured at around 17%.
- Poland has experienced one of the sharpest declines in the last twenty years.
- In the Netherlands and Belgium, part-time work is a conscious choice for some groups.
The Mediterranean belt leads
Europe is divided into three clusters regarding job insecurity. The highest rates are seen in countries along the Mediterranean line; Finland stands out as an exception in this group.
Italy ranks first by approaching one in five workers in involuntary temporary or part-time jobs. Since 2006, this country has also recorded the largest increase in this type of employment within the European Union.
The rate in Spain reaches 17%. In Cyprus, Portugal, and Greece, the job security problem remains above 12%. Conversely, some new member countries in Central and Eastern Europe show lower rates.
Who is more affected?
Eurofound states that workers in insecure jobs are predominantly blue-collar workers with primary education. According to the institution, women are at greater risk compared to men, with the most significant differences appearing in France and Germany.
Smaller differences are reported in the United Kingdom, Poland, and Lithuania. Eurofound emphasizes that this imbalance is directly linked to labor market discrimination, and some temporary contracts can become a filtering tool by questioning workers' commitment due to family responsibilities.
Different solutions in Poland and Spain
Poland and Spain stand out as two examples using different tools to stabilize the labor market. Since 2016, changes in labor law in Poland have limited the use of temporary contracts and increased the tax applied to these contracts.
Following these steps, the rate of involuntary insecure jobs in the country dropped from about 22% in 2006 to 7% in 2024. This is recorded as one of the sharpest declines in Europe.
Spain introduced a permanent contract model called fijo discontinuo for seasonal or intermittent workers. This system, covering groups such as baristas, farmers, and hotel workers, operates cyclically; when the season restarts, the employer must call the worker back.
Similar downward trends are also noticeable in Germany and the Baltic countries. However, in some of Europe's wealthier economies, rates remain within a more balanced range.
Countries where part-time work is voluntary
In some regions of Europe, part-time work is more of a preference than a necessity. In the Netherlands, 45% of part-time workers consciously choose this arrangement over full-time employment.
Experts note that this model is both widespread and culturally established in the country. Belgium shows a similar trend, with the rate reaching 25%.
Behind Belgium's practice is a time credit system aimed at helping workers balance career and family life. Eurofound reports that part-time work can strengthen work-life balance for some groups and support labor force participation for those with high caregiving responsibilities.
Context: The data show that the job security debate in Europe is not resolved solely by economic growth; legal frameworks, contract structures, and social policy choices are also decisive.
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