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Labour and social regulation

Labour and social regulation covers the legal framework and fundamental social rights that regulates industrial relations, employment and social policies across Europe. It includes national, EU and international legislation.  Union labour law has a direct or indirect impact on the normative and functional frameworks of individual and collective labour law systems of the Member States in a relationship of mutual interference and interaction.  Increasingly Union labour laws are also shaped by agreements that the parties voluntarily enter into and by soft law mechanisms.  The reform or modernising of labour law is currently high on the agenda in several Member States.

Topic

Recent updates

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Regulatory responses to algorithmic management in the EU

Since 2013, Eurofound's ERM database on restructuring-related legislation has been documenting regulatory developments in the Member States of the European Union and Norway. The most recent update to the database...

Article
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Trabajo híbrido en Europa: Concepto y práctica

El término «trabajo híbrido» se popularizó con el auge del teletrabajo durante la pandemia de COVID-19, cuando las empresas y los empleados empezaron a debatir formas de organizar el trabajo...

25 Mayo 2023
Publication
Research report

Eurofound research

Eurofound has monitored legislative developments in industrial relations, working conditions and restructuring in Europe over time and from a comparative perspective across the Member States. The Agency’s work in this area seeks to assist decision-makers to better understand the legal framework for creating policy. It has also put resources in place to assist audiences in understanding the sometimes complex and difficult terminology used.

EU context

This topic covers the legal framework that regulates industrial relations and employment across Europe, including EU legislation and the fundamental labour standards that need to be taken into account.

Legislation is crucial in shaping how Europeans work and live. It is the basis for ensuring better working conditions, equitable labour relations, and equal opportunities for all citizens.

Publications results (81)

EIRO thematic feature - Collective dispute resolution in an enlarged European Union

Promoting industrial peace in the labour market is an ongoing challenge in the world economy. This thematic feature from the European Industrial Relations Observatory (EIRO) outlines procedures that countries have taken to avoid industrial action and to maintain a smooth negotiating process between

10 December 2008
Publication
Research report
Industrial action
Labour law
Labour and social regulation
Industrial relations and social dialogue
Industrial relations

Employment and labour market policies for an ageing workforce and initiatives at the workplace - National overview report: Ireland

This report looks at the evolution of initiatives related to older employees undertaken by selected organisations (case studies) in Ireland over the last decade. It reviews the following points: main impacts of measures/initiatives at the company level; driving forces for implementing good practice

10 November 2007
Publication
Research report
Labour market policies
Ageing workforce
Employment and labour markets
Labour and social regulation

Employment and labour market policies for an ageing workforce and initiatives at the workplace - National overview report: Estonia

This report looks at the evolution of initiatives related to older employees undertaken by selected organisations (case studies) in Estonia over the last decade. It reviews the following points: main impacts of measures/initiatives at the company level; driving forces for implementing good practice

17 October 2007
Publication
Research report
Labour market policies
Ageing workforce
Employment and labour markets
Labour and social regulation

Employment and labour market policies for an ageing workforce and initiatives at the workplace - National overview report: Bulgaria

This report looks at the evolution of initiatives related to older employees undertaken by selected organisations (case studies) in Bulgaria over the last decade. It reviews the following points: main impacts of measures/initiatives at the company level; driving forces for implementing good practice

17 October 2007
Publication
Research report
Labour market policies
Ageing workforce
Employment and labour markets
Labour and social regulation

Employment and labour market policies for an ageing workforce and initiatives at the workplace - National overview report: Czech Republic

This report looks at the evolution of initiatives related to older employees undertaken by selected organisations (case studies) in the Czech Republic over the last decade. It reviews the following points: main impacts of measures/initiatives at the company level; driving forces for implementing

17 October 2007
Publication
Research report
Labour market policies
Ageing workforce
Employment and labour markets
Labour and social regulation

Employment and labour market policies for an ageing workforce and initiatives at the workplace - National overview report: Cyprus

This report looks at the evolution of initiatives related to older employees undertaken by selected organisations (case studies) in Cyprus over the last decade. It reviews the following points: main impacts of measures/initiatives at the company level; driving forces for implementing good practice

16 October 2007
Publication
Research report
Labour market policies
Ageing workforce
Employment and labour markets
Labour and social regulation

Employment and labour market policies for an ageing workforce and initiatives at the workplace - National overview report: Portugal

This report looks at the evolution of initiatives related to older employees undertaken by selected organisations (case studies) in Portugal over the last decade. It reviews the following points: main impacts of measures/initiatives at the company level; driving forces for implementing good practice

16 October 2007
Publication
Research report
Labour market policies
Ageing workforce
Employment and labour markets
Labour and social regulation

Employment and labour market policies for an ageing workforce and initiatives at the workplace - National overview report: Malta

This report looks at the evolution of initiatives related to older employees undertaken by selected organisations (case studies) in Malta over the last decade. It reviews the following points: main impacts of measures/initiatives at the company level; driving forces for implementing good practice at

16 October 2007
Publication
Research report
Ageing workforce
Labour law
Employment and labour markets
Labour and social regulation

Employment and labour market policies for an ageing workforce and initiatives at the workplace - National overview report: Latvia

This report looks at the evolution of initiatives related to older employees undertaken by selected organisations (case studies) in Latvia over the last decade. It reviews the following points: main impacts of measures/initiatives at the company level; driving forces for implementing good practice

15 October 2007
Publication
Research report
Labour market policies
Ageing workforce
Employment and labour markets
Labour and social regulation

Employment and labour market policies for an ageing workforce and initiatives at the workplace - National overview report: Poland

This report looks at the evolution of initiatives related to older employees undertaken by selected organisations (case studies) in Poland over the last decade. It reviews the following points: main impacts of measures/initiatives at the company level; driving forces for implementing good practice

15 October 2007
Publication
Research report
Labour market policies
Ageing workforce
Employment and labour markets
Labour and social regulation
Online resources results (794)

Belgium: Latest working life developments – Q2 2016

Strikes over the government’s austerity measures, agreements providing better conditions for prison guards and more stability for temporary workers, and the end of the ‘wage index jump’ are the main topics of interest in this article. This country update reports on the latest developments in working

29 Agosto 2016
Article
Working conditions
Industrial relations
Labour and social regulation
Working conditions and sustainable work
Industrial relations and social dialogue

Denmark: Latest working life developments – Q2 2016

The debate on EU membership sparked by the Brexit referendum, the current state of tripartite negotiations on the integration of refugees and an occupational health and safety case at Siemens Wind Power are the main topics of interest in this article. This country update reports on the latest

22 Agosto 2016
Article
Health and well-being at work
Migration and mobility
Skills and training
Labour market policies
Social dialogue
Working conditions
Industrial relations
Labour and social regulation
Working conditions and sustainable work
Industrial relations and social dialogue

Poland: Latest working life developments – Q2 2016

Conflicts in the public sector, improved minimum wages, union representation for Ukrainian migrant workers and concerns about the consequences of Brexit for Polish workers in the UK are the main topics of interest in this article. This country update reports on the latest developments in working

22 Agosto 2016
Article
Migration and mobility
Minimum wage
Industrial action
Working conditions
Employment and labour markets
Industrial relations
Labour and social regulation
Working conditions and sustainable work
Industrial relations and social dialogue

EU Level: Latest working life developments – Q2 2016

The latest Country Specific Recommendations for Member States, the recent EU-level boost for social dialogue, the latest developments on the revision of the Posting of Workers Directive and recent migration initiatives are among the main topics of interest in this article. This update reports on the

12 Agosto 2016
Article
Fraudulent work
Industrial relations
Employment and labour markets
Labour and social regulation
Migration and mobility
Posted workers
Living conditions and quality of life
Skills and training
Social dialogue
Social policies
Working conditions
Working conditions and sustainable work
Industrial relations and social dialogue

Hungary: Latest working life developments – Q2 2016

Ongoing unrest in the education sector, the repeal of Sunday closure legislation and changes in the employee-benefits 'Cafeteria' system are among the main topics of interest in this article. This country update reports on the latest developments in working life in Hungary in the second quarter of

12 Agosto 2016
Article
Labour and social regulation
Working conditions
Industrial relations
Working conditions and sustainable work
Industrial relations and social dialogue

Norway: Latest working life developments – Q2 2016

Rising unemployment, the biennial renegotiation of nationwide collective agreements and proposed changes to legislation on temporary layoffs, working time and whistle-blowing are the main topics of interest in this article. This country update reports on the latest developments in working life in

11 Agosto 2016
Article
Pay and income
Working time
Collective bargaining
Labour law
Working conditions
Employment and labour markets
Industrial relations
Labour and social regulation
Working conditions and sustainable work
Industrial relations and social dialogue

Lithuania: Latest working life developments – Q2 2016

The debate on the controversial new Labour Code, the opening of an information centre for posted and migrant workers, and the rise in the minimum monthly wage are the main topics of interest in this article. This country update reports on the latest developments in working life in Lithuania in the

9 Agosto 2016
Article
Migration and mobility
Minimum wage
Posted workers
Working time
Social dialogue
Labour law
Working conditions
Employment and labour markets
Industrial relations
Labour and social regulation
Working conditions and sustainable work
Industrial relations and social dialogue

Portugal: Latest working life developments – Q2 2016

The re-introduction of four holidays and the 35-hour week in the public sector; as well as job precariousness and unemployment, are the main topics of interest in this article. This country update reports on the latest developments in working life in Portugal in the first quarter of 2016.

5 Agosto 2016
Article
Leave
Pay and income
Working time
Youth
Collective bargaining
Industrial action
Working conditions
Employment and labour markets
Industrial relations
Labour and social regulation
Working conditions and sustainable work
Industrial relations and social dialogue

Romania: Latest working life developments – Q2 2016

Opposition to new measures to reduce public sector wage inequality, a fresh start for the Social and Economic Council, and new measures to reconcile family and working life are the main topics of interest of this article. This country update reports on the latest developments in Romanian working

3 Agosto 2016
Article
Industrial action
Industrial relations
Employment and labour markets
Labour and social regulation
Leave
Pay and income
Living conditions and quality of life
Social dialogue
Working conditions
Working conditions and sustainable work
Industrial relations and social dialogue

France: Green light on implementing the arduous work account scheme

In December 2015, the government accepted the last two decrees establishing a points scheme for arduous work and in June 2016 the Ministry of Labour gave the green light on its implementation. Employers claim the scheme will lead to job cuts while some unions have criticised certain aspects.

25 Julio 2016
Article
Sustainable work
Health and well-being at work
Retirement
Working conditions
Industrial relations
Labour and social regulation
Working conditions and sustainable work
Industrial relations and social dialogue
Blogs results (12)
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Member States still getting to grips with the single labour market

The European Platform Tackling Undeclared Work last year documented the case of a Dutch temporary work agency that hired workers of various nationalities to work for a construction company in Belgium. The wages were suspiciously low, and the Belgian Labour Inspectorate believed that EU law

17 Julio 2019
Helen Burke
Blog
Posted workers
Working conditions and sustainable work
Working conditions
Undeclared work
Fraudulent work
Labour and social regulation
Industrial relations and social dialogue
Industrial relations
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Tackling trafficking for labour exploitation in Europe: new way forward together

The European Union (EU) has strong legislation in place that protects workers from being exploited and also enables businesses to engage in fair competition. Workers are mobile and can move freely within the EU single market across borders – without being dependent upon traffickers. Yet, the latest

3 Mayo 2016
Andrea Fromm
Blog
Fraudulent work
Industrial relations
Labour and social regulation
Employment and labour markets
Migration and mobility
Working conditions
Working conditions and sustainable work
Industrial relations and social dialogue

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