Industrial relations developments in Europe 2003

Set against the backdrop of preparations for enlargement of the European Union, Industrial relations developments in Europe 2003 provides a comparative overview of the most significant industrial relations developments during 2003, both at national and EU level. The fruit of a joint collaboration between the Foundation and the European Commission, the report presents the year’s main activities in European social dialogue and employment legislation and policy. It examines the key issues covered by collective bargaining – pay, working time, job security, equal opportunities and diversity, and training and skills development. It also highlights significant developments in the area of social partner activity, industrial action, employee participation, stress at work, undeclared work, and new forms of work. Finally, in a special thematic chapter, the report looks at the regulation of working time, an issue which is particularly topical in the light of the European Commission’s re-examination of the EU Directive on working time in 2003-4.