External Consultant

The External Consultant’s background differs from that of the other experts. He is specialised in labour relations and has worked with the European Commission, where he played a key role in shaping the Commission’s policy on the issue of flexicurity. He thus has the necessary distance to the Network to make recommendations based on an objective ‘outsider’s’ perspective.

On the other hand, as an expert of labour relations rather than labour law, he can reflect on the work of the Network from a different angle. The External Consultant’s role is crucial for informing the Network of its position in the field of labour relations in general.

As a general advisor, it is the External Consultant’s task to provide the Network with recommendations concerning its organisation. The External Consultant is consulted jointly with the Scientific Committee, as well as individually when required.


Prof. Ton Wilthagen
Tilburg University
Faculty of Law
Chair in institutional and legal aspects of the labour market
Member of the research networks European Flexicurity Research Network, TRANSWELL and RecWoWe.
THE NETHERLANDS