Traditionally it has been thought that work and income are linked to each other. "Without work there is no income and no welfare". This pattern of thought was reasonable during the era of industrialization when the increase of factory work seemed to be the motor of social development. New jobs were created, production increased and meanwhile, from the pressure from workers, a social security system was created against economic fluctuation. Social security system guaranteed income for workers even in times when there was less work available.

During last decades the situation has changed dramatically. Social wealth has continued its growth and in the meantime the need for work (especially factory work) has decreased. This has been caused by the technological development which has enabled the increase of production quantities while the number of employed workers has decreased. At the same time the decrease in taxation has resulted in cuts in social security. Governments haven't been able to add the tax burden of enterprises and investors due to the worry over national competitivity.

Neoliberal strategy which has been used to control this situation, has consisted of lowering the labor costs, increasing the flexibility of work conditions, and of a strong emphasis on the so-called service industry. In practice this has meant strong increase in low-wage and part-time service jobs. Neoliberal strategy has increased insecurity and social fragmentation enormously. But we must add that there are also people who have benefited from this new situation and have been content with it. It has been allowed to gain success in the free market with one's expertise.

In social issues there rarely are any unambiguous explanations. Because of this, for some people besides the succesful businessmen, neoliberal labour market has offered a chance to alternate work with freetime and studies in a creative and cultivating way. But for other ones the change has meant fear, discontent, exclusion and bitterness. Globalizing economical structures have taken this divisional line everywhere.