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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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Hübriidtöö Euroopas: kontseptsioon ja praktika

Termin „hübriidtöö“ sai populaarseks seoses kaugtöö levikuga COVID-19 pandeemia ajal, kui ettevõtted ja töötajad hakkasid arutama, kuidas korraldada tööd pärast kriisi. Seda mõistet on üha enam kasutatud, et osutada olukordadele...

25 Mai 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)

Slovenia: Proposed amendments to legislation attempted to secure universal employee participation in management

A Slovenian parliamentary group sought to secure employee participation in the management of Slovenian Sovereign Holdings, which manages the country’s state-owned assets.

30 juuli 2015
Article
Work organisation
Employee representation
Participation at work
Working conditions
Industrial relations
Labour and social regulation
Employment and labour markets
Working conditions and sustainable work
Industrial relations and social dialogue

UK: TUC calls for stronger enforcement of national minimum wage

A 10-point plan to improve the enforcement of the national minimum wage in the UK has been published by the TUC. It estimates that at least 250,000 workers are not being paid the minimum wage, and the new Conservative government, elected in May 2015, has pledged to put this right.

30 juuli 2015
Article
Working poor
Minimum wage
Pay and income
Labour law
Working conditions
Employment and labour markets
Labour and social regulation
Working conditions and sustainable work

UK: Opportunities for flexible working are increasing

Opportunities for flexible working are widely available in the UK and employers’ enthusiasm for the concept is increasing, a survey has shown. However, the government-funded survey has also provided a mixed picture of the awareness of these opportunities and of the use of recent statutory provisions

30 juuli 2015
Article
Working time
Work-life balance
Working conditions
Labour and social regulation
Working conditions and sustainable work

Malta: Concerns over male-dominated sectors subsidising maternity leave benefits

28 juuli 2015
Article
Gender equality
Leave
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

Belgium: Trade unions criticise pension reform proposals

Proposed reforms to Belgium's pension system will – along with other changes – extend the retirement age to 67 by 2030. The proposed reforms have attracted strong criticism from the country's trade unions, but support from employer associations.

27 juuli 2015
Article
Retirement
Social dialogue
Labour law
Working conditions
Labour and social regulation
Working conditions and sustainable work
Industrial relations and social dialogue

Sweden: Stricter sanctions against non-resident hauliers who violate EU cabotage regulation

There has been heated debate in the transport sector regarding the common market's impact on Swedish wages and working conditions. A new law tries to deal with some of the most obvious violations of the rules.

27 juuli 2015
Article
Pay and income
Labour and social regulation
Labour law
Industrial relations
Industrial relations and social dialogue

Poland: New law to grant self-employed the right to join a union

27 juuli 2015
Article
Non-standard employment
Social partners
Employment and labour markets
Industrial relations
Labour and social regulation
Industrial relations and social dialogue

Lithuania: Social partners agree minimum wage increase

27 juuli 2015
Article
Minimum wage
Social dialogue
Working conditions
Employment and labour markets
Industrial relations
Labour and social regulation
Working conditions and sustainable work
Industrial relations and social dialogue

UK: Unions unhappy at European court ruling on collective redundancy case

Trade unions in the UK have expressed disappointment at a ruling clarifying the EU directive on collective redundancies. However, employers’ groups welcomed the decision by the European Court of Justice which confirms that, under EU law, redundancy consultation obligations can be triggered on an

27 juuli 2015
Article
Participation at work
Labour law
Labour and social regulation
Working conditions
Employment and labour markets
Industrial relations
Working conditions and sustainable work
Industrial relations and social dialogue

Hungary: Workers may win back annual leave lost due to long-term sick leave rules

27 juuli 2015
Article
Leave
Labour law
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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Regulating platform work in Europe: A work in progress

The platform economy is one of those moving targets, which, despite receiving increasing media and policy attention, has proven difficult to regulate. Given the heterogeneity of employment relationships, business models, types of platform work and cross-border issues, this is not surprising. Yet, in

27 september 2022
Dragoș Adăscăliței
Blog
Platform work
Working conditions
Employment and labour markets
Anticipating and managing the impact of change
Digitalisation
Labour and social regulation
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Resumed EU Semester calls for better involvement of the social partners in implementing recovery and resilience plans

With the arrival of the month of May, the 2022 European Semester Spring Package is anticipated soon. After a transformative year in 2021, which saw the launch of the Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF) under NextGenerationEU, the European Semester cycle has resumed its role as the reference

3 Mai 2022
Ricardo Rodriguez Contreras
Blog
Social partners
European Pillar of Social Rights
Labour and social regulation
Industrial relations and social dialogue
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Platform cooperatives ensure caring in the sharing economy

Whether it is couch surfing, baby-sitting, pizza delivery or getting Ikea furniture assembled by somebody who can do it better, platforms can mediate all kinds of voluntary or professional services. Platform work is at the heart of the ‘sharing economy’. But while this may sound like a new form of

31 märts 2022
Beate Steurer
Blog
New forms of employment
Employment relationship
Anticipating and managing the impact of change
Digitalisation
Labour and social regulation
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Gender pay transparency: Advancing the cause through a truly European proposal

With its proposed directive on gender pay transparency, the European Commission has significantly bolstered the set of tools for delivering its objectives compared to those presented in its 2014 Recommendation. The proposed portfolio of measures addresses many shortcomings of the instruments that

18 juuni 2021
Christine Aumayr-Pintar
Blog
Pay and income
Working conditions and sustainable work
Gender equality
Labour and social regulation
Industrial relations and social dialogue
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As Member States take different approaches to regulating telework, will the EU bring them into line?

The massive and rapid adoption of telework in 2020 in response to the COVID-19 lockdowns exposed gaps in the legislation governing telework arrangements across the EU Member States. In some cases, there was no regulation in place; in others, it was too restrictive. Governments scrambled to put

31 Mai 2021
Federica De Blasio
Blog
Working conditions and sustainable work
Teleworking
Digitalisation
Labour and social regulation
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Does the new telework generation need a right to disconnect?

Whatever the benefits of telework – and there are many, including more flexible working time, increased productivity and less commuting – there are drawbacks, as many of the one-third of Europeans who were exclusively working from home during the pandemic will attest. Primary among these is the ‘alw

3 detsember 2020
Oscar Vargas Llave
Blog
Working conditions and sustainable work
Work-life balance
Collective bargaining
Agreements
Digitalisation
Teleworking
Labour and social regulation
Anticipating and managing the impact of change
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Are simple statistics enough? On the benefits of gender pay reports and audits

Following a sluggish response by many Member States to introduce or modify gender pay transparency measures, as it recommended in 2014, the European Commission intends to table a proposal for EU-level legislation on pay transparency later in 2020. In this context, a new Eurofound study investigated

6 november 2020
Christine Aumayr-Pintar
Blog
Pay and income
Gender equality
Discrimination at work
Labour and social regulation
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Racial discrimination is not a thing of the past in the EU

25 juuni 2020
Anna Gallinat
Blog
Working conditions and sustainable work
Working conditions
Employment and labour markets
Discrimination at work
Inclusive labour markets
Migration and mobility
Labour and social regulation
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Can short-time working save jobs during the COVID-19 crisis?

On 2 April, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced a new fund of up to €100 billion to support EU Member States to introduce short-time working or similar schemes, including for the self-employed, in an effort to safeguard jobs during the COVID-19 pandemic. Known as SURE

5 Mai 2020
Tina Weber
Blog
COVID-19
Labour market policies
Labour and social regulation
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Economic downturns expose the vulnerability of a growing number of precarious workers

Up to the start of 2020, recent EU economic and labour market trends were often discussed in terms of the periods before and after the Great Recession. It now appears likely that, in the short- to medium-term, the repercussions of that economic crisis will be dwarfed by the unfolding impact of the

21 aprill 2020
Tina Weber
Blog
COVID-19
Non-standard employment
Employment status
Labour and social regulation
Employment and labour markets

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