Ensuring labor markets in Europe balance flexibility and security can enhance participation rates and generate employment.

This is the claim made by the managing director of the European Confederation of Private Employment Agencies (Eurociett), Denis Pennel, who welcomed a new draft report from the European Parliament.

According to the European Union document on the New Skills and Jobs Flagship Initiative, flexicurity arrangements should be strengthened by member states in order to make workforces more inclusive.

Mr Penel noted that the agency work sector offers "an excellent role model" for employment flexibility and security", as it "brings people into work and also enhances their skills to enable them to transition within the labor market".

He added that a "diversity of contractual arrangements" is needed in the region in order to ensure employment growth.

Recent figures from Eurociett demonstrated a 25.2 per cent jump in year-on-year growth within the European agency work industry during January 2011, with the month marking the tenth consecutive period of continuous expansion for the sector.

Particularly strong levels of activity were recorded in Germany, Italy and France during the year in question.

Posted by Alex Donnell