TVETipedia Glossary

Precarious work is often defined as the intersection of three characteristics: vulnerable employees, insecure jobs and few entitlements to income support. More broadly, however, all forms of employment could be at risk of poor working conditions and insecurity. Although there is no universally accepted definition, the European Parliament defines precarious employment as 'employment which does not comply with EU, international and national standards and laws and/or does not provide sufficient resources for a decent life or adequate social protection'. Precarious jobs fail to give workers what a ‘good job’ should: skills recognition and improvement, as well as adequate resources – especially financial – with a view to making ends meet and developing employability.