Precariousness among Young People and Student Population in the Czech Republic

Abstract

Over the last decade there has been increasing awareness of the persistence of atypical or non-standard forms of work. Precarity is a part of neoliberal globalization, involving greater capital mobility, the search for flexibility and lower costs. All industrial countries are faced with the basic problem of balancing security due to precarity. This article analyses the economic significance, causes and effects of precarious work among young people and students ‘population of the Charles University, Faculty of Humanities in Prague and the extent to which it contributes to the flexibility of the labor market1. There is no precise definition of this concept in the Czech Republic on a statistical, legal or economic basis. Moreover there is no clear distinction between precarious employment and other non-standard work forms. Nevertheless, we argue that its definition is defined as forms of work for remuneration characterized by limited social benefits of the national welfare system. This research is carried out to find out what sort of paid work is undertaken by students during their studies, and to what extent it could be described as ‘precarious’.

DOI: 10.5901/mjss.2014.v5n21p161