The precariat and growing job insecurity have become one of the defining features of contemporary European societies, reflecting major changes in labor markets and social structures. The term precariat refers to an increasing segment of the population characterized by unstable employment, insecure income, and limited access to labor rights. Whether viewed as a new social class or as a transformation of the traditional working class, the precariat has become a central topic in debates about the future of work in Europe and is therefore also at the center of attention in the book The Age of Uncertainty – Job Insecurity in Contemporary Society (Belgrade, ISS, 2025) by Dr. Jovana Zafirović, which also serves as a starting point for this discussion.
Contemporary labor markets are increasingly marked by non-standard forms of employment that do not provide long-term security, predictable income, or clear opportunities for a professional career, thereby contributing to general economic and personal insecurity. In Europe, these changes are linked to structural processes such as the flexibilization and deregulation of labor markets, technological innovations, and the weakening of trade unions and collective bargaining. The consequences extend beyond the sphere of employment itself, as precarious working conditions are associated with economic vulnerability, in-work poverty, and difficulties in planning for the future, while differences between generations and regions continue to deepen. As a result, job insecurity also has political and social consequences, affecting trust in institutions and contributing to a broader sense of social instability.
This discussion aims to raise the question of whether precarious work represents a new phenomenon or a continuation of older forms of social inequality, as well as whether and in what ways measures such as strengthening labor rights, expanding social protection systems, regulating non-standard forms of employment, and investing in education and retraining can help prevent it. Alongside the author, the speakers will include Professor Mihail Arandarenko from the Faculty of Economics at the University of Belgrade and Igor Išpanović, researcher at the Institute for Philosophy and Social Theory. The discussion will be moderated by Irena Ristić.
Jovana Zafirović is a Research Associate at the Center for Political Studies and Public Opinion Research of the Institute of Social Sciences. Her work focuses on sociology of labor, social stratification, and political sociology, with a particular emphasis on labor markets and electoral behavior. In her research she primarily relies on computational methods and survey data to shed light on complex social phenomena. She is currently co-coordinating the Compass of Serbia project, a pioneering longitudinal panel study in Serbia, and also serves as the Field Director for Serbia within the framework of the European Social Survey (ESS).
The series “Conversations about books of the Institute of Social Sciences – Let’s talk about…” is dedicated to IDN publications. Through discussions with the authors, we examine the results of their research, consider the broader scientific and social context of the book’s topic, and assess its relevance to society and public policies. The editor of the series is Dr Irena Ristić (ISS).