The Danish labour market model and the so-called "flexicurity concept" have become a regular trend throughout Europe. This month the EU Commission is to recommend to EU countries that they learn from the model, which is attractive because it focuses more on job creation than on job protection.

Commission chairman Barroso has for some time spoken warmly in favour of "flexicurity", which in his opinion has the great advantage of emphasising that the labour market "is to protect people instead of protecting jobs".

And according to Barroso, this is decisive if the competitiveness of European countries is to be protected in the face of the rapid globalisation of the world economy.

"I really admire the Danes for their attitude to globalisation. Actually, Denmark can be used as a role model. The Danish combination of social security and flexibility on the labour market is a great political result," said Barroso in an interview with Berlingske Tidende last year.

The Danish labour market model ensures both an adjustment-ready and well-educated labour force at the same time as ensuring the employees adequate financial conditions should they find themselves in a period of temporary unemployment.

The EU Commission is soon to publish a special report on "flexicurity", which will call on the EU countries to learn from the Danish experience and explain that it is based on almost 100 years of labour market history that cannot immediately be applied to other countries.