Magazine ed*
ed* No. 01/2018

Editorial

ed* No. 01/2018 – Chapter 1

Dear Reader,

The world of work has changed in recent years. New technologies, digitalisation, globalisation and demographic change are the driving forces behind this change, each to a varying degree. 

 

Some people see this transformation as an opportunity, for example  

by creating more flexible options for structuring work or improving work-life-balance. Others feel threatened by this development because they perceive it primarily as a way to transform regular stable jobs into precarious ones and as a loss of social security.  

 

It is vital for the Social Insurance to work out how it can include people on the journey to the digitalised world of work while also guaranteeing their social protection. Adapting social security systems to this digital transformation is a topic of discussion at both national and European level. However, despite intensive debate and numerous studies, there is still a lack of agreement on the best way of doing this.  

 

This might be partly due to the significant number of ‘new business models’. The designs of these models range from something akin to traditional employment relationships through to simply providing a ‘digital’ marketplace to engage the services of self-employed persons.  

 

A key aspect here is the rich diversity of the social security systems within Europe, which are based on different traditions and socio-economic conditions. In a European Single Market with free movement of workers, it should therefore be possible to tackle these challenges together within the framework of the division of competences. 

 

In this month’s issue of ed*, we want to give you an overview of the current discussions on ensuring that all workers have adequate access to social protection.  

 

We hope you enjoy reading this issue of ed*! 

 

Ilka Wölfle