RSS:

Newsletter subscribe:

European Social Model

Social Dialogue and the Future of Work

Title Original Language: 
Social Dialogue and the Future of Work
Original Language: 
Date of Editorial Board meeting: 
Publication date: 
Tuesday, May 12, 2020
Abstract in English: 
Social dialogue, defined as “all types of negotiation and consultation, and also the exchange of information between or among, representatives of governments, employers and workers on issues of common interest relating to economic and social policy” has been long employed as a tool in the governance of work, with the objective of delivering sustainable economic growth, social justice and the kind of high-trust work relations that are not only valuable in themselves, but that can also improve business performance and increase workers’ share in rising profitability. It includes tripartite social dialogue, collective bargaining and workplace cooperation. Collective bargaining is defined in the ILO’s Collective Bargaining Convention, 1981 (No. 154), as “all negotiations which take place between an employer, a group of employers or one or more employers’ organisations, on the one hand, and one or more workers' organisations, on the other, for: (a) determining working conditions and terms of employment; and/or (b) regulating relations between employers and workers; and/or (c) regulating relations between employer or their organisations and a workers’ organisation or workers’ organisations.” Freedom of association and the effective right to collective bargaining are the preconditions for successful social dialogue.The ILO Global Commission on the Future of Work, which examined the transformations underway in the world of work, emphasized the need for decisive action. It considered that the collective representation of workers’ and employers’ organizations through social dialogue contributes to the public good and called for public policies that promote collective representation and social dialogue. “Collective representation and social dialogue provide the institutional capabilities needed to navigate future of work transitions [....] At company level, works councils, consultation and information arrangements and worker representation on boards are all proven mechanisms to manage the challenges of change and to allow people to exercise influence over their working lives. Collective bargaining is a fundamental right and a powerful tool for economic success and social equity, not least in times of transformational change. Tripartite social dialogue allows opportunity for the partners to the social contract to consider the broader societal issues that change brings and to guide policy responses. The ILO Centenary Declaration for the Future of Work adopted by the 108th (Centenary) International Labour Conference of the ILO states that “social dialogue contributes to the overall cohesion of societies and is crucial for a well-functioning and productive economy.” Social dialogue is not only a necessary tool for managing change and addressing the transformations underway; it also helps in addressing the long-standing problems we already face. Work in the informal economy, for example, still accounts for more than 60 per cent of the world’s employed population, exceeding 90 per cent in parts of Africa and Asia. Even in the formal sector, some workers may remain trapped in jobs that offer barely subsistence-level wages and inadequate social protection in return for long hours of hard labour in dangerous conditions. In moving forward to address the challenges of the future, we also need to solve the problems we already face by strengthening social dialogue institutions and enhancing the inclusiveness of collective representation at all levels.
File: 
Country of publication: 
File Original Language: 
Cover page image: 
Number of pages: 
20
Share: 

Is the Internet Eroding Europe’s Middle Ground?

Date of Editorial Board meeting: 
Publication date: 
Monday, December 17, 2018
Abstract in English: 
Within Europe, public debate has become increasingly concerned with issues of identity, belonging and threats associated with ‘out-groups’ (such as immigrants and refugees). These issues are the focus of many insurgent populist parties, which are shaping debates in many countries across Europe.
When asked to identify the most important issue facing Europe, survey respondents in 2017 gave the highest rankings to terrorism and immigration – two issues that provoke public debate on the threat of minority ‘out-groups’ to majority ‘in-groups’.
Polarisation is reflected in deeper divisions and distrust between opposing groups. There are many indicators of increasing polarisation in European societies (though no agreed measure or major comparative study).
The issues around which polarisation is taking place are especially related to national identity, culture and inclusion, between people who espouse cosmopolitan values and people who espouse traditional cultural and nationalist values.
File: 
Country of publication: 
Cover page image: 
Number of pages: 
26
Share: 

Global Trendometer - Essays on medium- and long-term global trends

Date of Editorial Board meeting: 
Publication date: 
Tuesday, July 17, 2018
Abstract in English: 
The EU faces challenges from the outside and the inside. Most of those are the symptoms of big underlying trends, and handling them needs foresight. The Global Trendometer tries to provide foresight for decision makers in the EU by analysing the changes in these long-term trends. This publication does not offer answers or make recommendations. It presents summarised information derived from a range of carefully selected sources. This issue of the Global Trendometer analyses long-term trends on India, the labour-share of income, and democracy and artificial intelligence. It also features two-pagers on geoengineering, remittances, food security in China, economic waves, the US after Trump, public procurement and deep fakes.
File: 
Country of publication: 
Cover page image: 
Number of pages: 
56
Share: 

Project Europe 2030. Challenges and opportunities

Title Original Language: 
Projet pour l'Europe à l'horizon 2030
Abstract Original Language: 
Rapport du groupe de réflexion au Conseil européen sur l'avenir de l'UE à l'horizon 2030.

Ce groupe de réflexion indépendant a été créé par le Conseil européen; présidé par M. González, il a été chargé de déterminer, d'étudier et de proposer des solutions aux défis que l'UE devra relever à l'horizon 2030. Il se compose de 12 membres qui sont d'éminents représentants de leurs domaines d'activité respectifs. L'avis d'experts du monde universitaire et du monde de l'entreprise a également été sollicité.

Ce rapport au Conseil européen dresse la liste d'un large éventail de problèmes auxquels l'UE et les États membres sont confrontés, comme la crise économique mondiale et les États venant au secours des banques, le changement climatique et l'approvisionnement énergétique, ainsi que les menaces que font peser le terrorisme et la criminalité organisée.

Le groupe de réflexion est convaincu que l'UE peut surmonter ces difficultés, si chacun, hommes et femmes politiques et citoyens, sont décidés à se mobiliser et à agir avec détermination pour donner corps à cet ambitieux projet politique. Par conséquent, il est essentiel que les citoyens soutiennent l'Union et participent à son développement.

Original Language: 
Date of Editorial Board meeting: 
Publication date: 
Saturday, May 1, 2010
Abstract in English: 
A report to the European Council by the Reflection Group on the Future of the EU 2030.

The independent Reflection Group was set up by the European Council under the chair of Mr. González to identify, analyse and propose solutions to the challenges the EU will be facing at the horizon 2030. It is composed of 12 members with outstanding expertise in their field of activity. They have also sought the opinion of experts from the academic and business worlds.

This report to the European Council lists a wide range of problems with which the EU and member states are confronted, for instance the global economic crisis and states coming to the rescue of banks, climate change and energy supply as well as the threats of terrorism and organised crime.

The Reflection Group is convinced that the EU can overcome the difficulties, if everybody - politicians and citizens - are decided to pull together and act in a decisive manner to develop this ambitious political project. It is therefore essential that citizens back up the Union and participate in its further development.

File: 
Country of publication: 
File Original Language: 
Cover page image: 
Country Original Language: 
Share: 
Subscribe to RSS - European Social Model