The AK welcomes the Commission’s initiative to start an open discussion on how to enhance labour law referring to the Lisbon objectives of “sustainable growth with more and better jobs”.<br /><br />Social policy considerations as well as economic policy considerations speak for sound working conditions, fair wages, a balance between family life and work, high-quality training and further education and social dialogue at company level as well as beyond the enterprise. These key goals should not be neglected when “modernising labour law”. <br /><br />The Green Paper is mainly focused on economic interests and points out that to achieve the desired flexibility for workers, a body of social rights should also be ensured. However, many statements and questions are aimed at diluting labour law provisions with regard to more freedom for enterprises. Such an approach holds the danger that the “modernisation” plan will ultimately lead to a worsening in labour law standards<br /><br />A modern labour law should not only take modified general economic conditions into account, it should also embrace new habits and forms of employment as well as general social conditions.