Publications

/This third and final article in the Sector Futures series on the European
defence industry sector looks at the major policy issues and challenges
facing the sector. It tries to tease out some of the main factors likely to
shape the industry, looking at challenges in the area of strategy and
security, governance, and technology and industrial restructuring. As the
article suggests some possible futures, it is more speculative than the
preceding two articles./

/This article builds on the discussion in the first article on the trends and
drivers likely to shape the future of the sector and the challenges it faces
since the end of the Cold War. In particular, it looks at developments in the
industry, such as the increasing internationalisation of production, the
growing importance of IT companies within the defence sector, and the
privatisation of services that were once provided by the military. The
article also explores three alternative scenarios for the defence industry
illustrating the decisions that need to be made, as well as the implications
of these./

Sector Futures provides specialised reports based on the monitoring of
existing foresight studies, scenario work, innovation studies and reliable
data sources. The second feature in the Sector Futures series on the textiles
and leather sector explores in greater depth the driving forces likely to
shape future developments in the industry. It discusses whether the textiles
and clothing industry is 'a dying industry - or not?' in Europe. The third
and last article in the series then looks at policy responses currently being
pursued at EU level, in order to address the challenges facing the sector
over the coming decade.

Sector Futures provides specialised reports based on the monitoring of
existing foresight studies, scenario work, innovation studies and reliable
data sources. July 2004 features the last article in the series on the future
of the automotive sector. It explores some of the directions that EU policy
could take to safeguard the future of the industry and guarantee a cleaner
and safer environment for all citizens.

/Against a background of severe economic and social problems during
Poland’s transition to the market economy, a group of company managers from
British Petroleum Polska, Sheraton, ABB and Commercial Union formed the
Autokreacja Association in 2002. The association aims to promote and support
responsible business practices that benefit both businesses and society,
while helping to achieve social, economic and environmentally sustainable
development. As part of this aim, it offers intensive training programmes to
disadvantaged, unemployed young people to improve their chances of finding
work./

/The defence industry relies on skilled labour and resources in Europe, and
has faced a period of considerable change and uncertainty since the end of
the Cold War at the beginning of the 1990s. Until now, national governments
of EU Member States have had considerable control over the industry while the
recent EU Code of Conduct for defence procurement intends to introduce more
openness to the market. The first of three articles in the Sector Futures
series on this sector delineates the defence industry sector and examines its
market size, structure and nature of employment. It also explores the trends
and drivers likely to shape the sector’s future, such as changes in demand,
in the nature of production and the dominance of the United States./

The impacts of the 2012 labour market reform have been mixed and not necessarily clear cut. Employers’ representatives have generally welcomed the changes, but suggested flexibility should be further encouraged. Trade unions claim the quality of employment has deteriorated and labour precariousness increased, accompanied by a growing imbalance in income distribution.

The year 2016 marks the fourth and final year of implementation of Eurofound’s four-year work programme 2013–2016, From crisis to recovery: Better informed policies for a competitive and fair Europe. The multiannual strategy laid down in the four-year programme provides Eurofound with a clear framework for the development of its annual programmes.

Unions have welcomed a ruling by the European Court of Justice (ECJ) that travel time for mobile workers should be treated as working time. Employer organisations have not commented, but the UK's umbrella national employer organisation, the CBI, has said it is vital the UK’s opt-out from the EU working time directive is retained.

The hotly debated changes to Norway’s Working Environment Act came into force on 1 July 2015. They affect temporary employment, working time, age limits, maximum penalties and the collective right to sue. Protests over the changes led to the first general strike since 1998. Opposition parties have vowed to repeal them if they come into power in 2017.