Industrial Relations and Inequality in the EU

2021 ◽  
pp. 452-485
Author(s):  
Gerhard Bosch
Keyword(s):  
Industrial Relations ◽  
Negative Effects ◽  
Wage Setting ◽  
Wage Policy ◽  
Nation States ◽  
Wage Moderation ◽  
Wage Increases ◽  
Key Indicators ◽  
Distribution Of Income ◽  
The Eu

This chapter begins with a summary, based on a number of key indicators, of the evolution of industrial relations in Europe. The fundamental importance for the primary distribution of income of minimum wages and collective agreements is explained. The example of the interactions between minimum and collectively agreed wages is used to develop a typology of the various wage-setting ‘architectures’ in the EU. In a monetary union the debate on the appropriate wage policy cannot be conducted on a country by country basis. Wage moderation or expansive wage increases can have both positive and negative effects on other countries. Finally, the interventions by nation states and the Troika in collective bargaining systems will be investigated.

scholarly journals From social regulation of competition to competition as social regulation: transformations in the socioeconomic governance of the European Union

2017 ◽  
pp. 53-68 ◽  
Author(s):  
Antonios Roumpakis ◽  
Theo Papadopoulos
Keyword(s):  
Industrial Relations ◽  
Social Regulation ◽  
The European Union ◽  
Wage Setting ◽  
Regulatory Changes ◽  
European Court ◽  
The Right ◽  
New Procedures ◽  
The Eu

This chapter studies the character of contemporary socioeconomic governance in the EU. It draws on empirical evidence capturing the type and extent of regulatory changes in the fields of industrial relations, corporate governance, and the coordination of macro-economic policy in the EU. The effects of these changes are long term, cumulative, and mutually reinforcing and should be seen as integral elements of a relatively coherent project to establish a form of transnational polity in Europe that privileges competition as its regulatory rationale. Indeed, the European Court of Justice (ECJ) has been institutionally prioritising market freedoms and competition over labour rights, and especially the right to collective action in an emerging transnational regulatory field in the EU. Meanwhile, the new procedures of European macro-economic coordination construe national wage setting, collective bargaining institutions, and, more generally, social policy as adjustment variables serving primarily the purpose of promoting or restoring member states' economic competitiveness.

Taking the Low Road: Minimum Wage Determination under Work Choices

2007 ◽  
Vol 49 (5) ◽  
pp. 741-756 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sally Cowling ◽  
William Mitchell
Keyword(s):  
Minimum Wage ◽  
Full Employment ◽  
Industrial Relations ◽  
Safety Net ◽  
Wage Determination ◽  
Market Regulation ◽  
Negative Effects ◽  
Wage Setting ◽  
Workplace Relations ◽  
Work Choices

The Workplace Relations Amendment (Work Choices) Act 2005 changes the architecture of labour market regulation in Australia in a significant way. The focus of this article is on changes to the regulatory framework for minimum wage determination and the rationale for, and likely consequences of, conferring this power on the Australian Fair Pay Commission. Underpinning the Work Choices package is the view that Safety Net wage rises awarded by the Australian Industrial Relations Commission have had negative effects on employment. In this article we establish that the evidence to support this claim is weak, and is being used to engineer a historic shift in the objectives of the Australian wage setting process. We argue that the new legislation will act as a downward drag on the pay and conditions of minimum wage workers and advance an alternative policy approach in which attaining full employment does not require us to abandon the principle of fairness or a decent wage floor.

(Re-)Designing institutions for EMU wage setting

2017 ◽  
Vol 8 (4) ◽  
pp. 281-305
Author(s):  
Samuel Dahan¹
Keyword(s):  
Global Financial Crisis ◽  
Wage Bargaining ◽  
Wage Determination ◽  
Wage Setting ◽  
Wage Policy ◽  
Legal Case ◽  
Coordination Process ◽  
Wage Coordination ◽  
The Eu

This article uses the concept of ‘institutional learning’ to make a legal case for a stronger wage policy at the EMU level. This article takes the view that an inherent asymmetry in the EMU, namely the presence of a unified monetary policy without a commensurate coordination of wage-setting mechanisms, contributed to the development of the crisis. The latent consequences of this flaw—diverging (wage) growth and cost competitiveness—were brought into full view when the global financial crisis struck. A unique wage-coordination process has already become institutionalised at the EU level through the European Semester: wage and spending cuts supplant the role of currency depreciation as a means of addressing external economic shocks and competitiveness gaps. We argue that the new wage coordination process constitutes a step in the right direction insofar as the EU has learned from its mistake, namely creating a currency union without any transnational wage determination mechanism. However, this paper makes a legal and institutional case for a more reflexive and solidaristic approach to wage coordination. In order to do so, we take the economic view that stronger EU labour coordination is not likely to diminish competitiveness. While market wisdom would seem to support the view that decentralised collective bargaining systems performs better, evidence suggests that solidaristic wage-setting offers a critical means of channelling economic policy into a model less narrowly focused on labour cost. Beyond the economic debate, there is a legal case to be made in favour of stronger wage bargaining that can reconcile the markets with labour law in the EMU. It is the role of lawyers to investigate possible legal avenues towards achieving a more appropriate solution that is compatible with the Treaty of Lisbon as well as with the goal of competitiveness. Our project does not advocate Treaty changes; instead we use the concept of ‘institutional layering/learning’ to reinforce already-existing reflexive approaches such as the Macroeconomic Dialogue (MED) in order to create a multi-level wage determination strategy that mediates a genuine facilitation process between the Commission, the European Central Bank and the unions.

Processes of import substitution in the market of meat and dairy products in the context of economic policy

2019 ◽  
pp. 60-74
Author(s):  
T.N. Belova ◽  
V.S. Konkina
Keyword(s):  
Agricultural Production ◽  
Import Substitution ◽  
Foreign Market ◽  
Food Prices ◽  
Negative Effects ◽  
Complex Dynamic ◽  
Dairy Markets ◽  
Food Market ◽  
Potential Risks ◽  
Key Indicators

In article the complex assessment of modern policy of import substitution in the sphere of the agrofood market based on balance of its positive and negative effects is given. According to Rosstat and the Federal Customs Service the complex dynamic analysis of the meat and dairy markets in the context of key indicators — the price, import, export is carried out. Relationships of cause and effect of change of a condition of the food market in connection with introduction of economic sanctions are revealed. The conclusion that the policy of import substitution has to consider the potential risks and threats connected as with the possible accompanying growth of the food prices and deterioration of the food status of the least provided groups of the population, and with technical and technological dependence of domestic agricultural production on a foreign market is drawn. The main directions in which programs of support and stimulation are necessary are formulated.

The European Union and Diplomatic Law

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Graham Butler
Keyword(s):  
European Union ◽  
External Action ◽  
Legal Framework ◽  
Second World War ◽  
First Century ◽  
The European Union ◽  
Nation States ◽  
Supranational Institutions ◽  
Second World ◽  
The Eu

Not long after the establishment of supranational institutions in the aftermath of the Second World War, the early incarnations of the European Union (EU) began conducting diplomacy. Today, EU Delegations (EUDs) exist throughout the world, operating similar to full-scale diplomatic missions. The Treaty of Lisbon established the legal underpinnings for the European External Action Service (EEAS) as the diplomatic arm of the EU. Yet within the international legal framework, EUDs remain second-class to the missions of nation States. The EU thus has to use alternative legal means to form diplomatic missions. This chapter explores the legal framework of EU diplomatic relations, but also asks whether traditional missions to which the VCDR regime applies, can still be said to serve the needs of diplomacy in the twenty-first century, when States are no longer the ultimate holders of sovereignty, or the only actors in international relations.

scholarly journals Internal devaluation and economic inequality in Portugal: challenges to industrial relations in times of crisis and recovery

2021 ◽  
pp. 102425892199500
Author(s):  
Maria da Paz Campos Lima ◽  
Diogo Martins ◽  
Ana Cristina Costa ◽  
António Velez
Keyword(s):  
Collective Bargaining ◽  
Wage Inequality ◽  
Economic Inequality ◽  
Industrial Relations ◽  
National Level ◽  
Wage Share ◽  
Recovery Dynamics ◽  
Wage Increases ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Wage Outcomes

Internal devaluation policies imposed in southern European countries since 2010 have weakened labour market institutions and intensified wage inequality and the falling wage share. The debate in the wake of the financial and economic crisis raised concerns about slow wage growth and persistent economic inequality. This article attempts to shed light on this debate, scrutinising the case of Portugal in the period 2010–2017. Mapping the broad developments at the national level, the article examines four sectors, looking in particular at the impact of minimum wages and collective bargaining on wage trends vis-à-vis wage inequality and wage share trajectories. We conclude that both minimum wage increases and the slight recovery of collective bargaining had a positive effect on wage outcomes and were important in reducing wage inequality. The extent of this reduction was limited, however, by uneven sectoral recovery dynamics and the persistent effects of precarious work, combined with critical liberalisation reforms.

scholarly journals Non-Standard Discrete RothC Models for Soil Carbon Dynamics

Axioms ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 56
Author(s):  
Fasma Diele ◽  
Carmela Marangi ◽  
Angela Martiradonna
Keyword(s):  
Soil Carbon ◽  
Land Degradation ◽  
Biological Diversity ◽  
Negative Effects ◽  
Land Use Patterns ◽  
Use Patterns ◽  
Soil Carbon Content ◽  
Rothc Model ◽  
Key Indicators

Soil Organic Carbon (SOC) is one of the key indicators of land degradation. SOC positively affects soil functions with regard to habitats, biological diversity and soil fertility; therefore, a reduction in the SOC stock of soil results in degradation, and it may also have potential negative effects on soil-derived ecosystem services. Dynamical models, such as the Rothamsted Carbon (RothC) model, may predict the long-term behaviour of soil carbon content and may suggest optimal land use patterns suitable for the achievement of land degradation neutrality as measured in terms of the SOC indicator. In this paper, we compared continuous and discrete versions of the RothC model, especially to achieve long-term solutions. The original discrete formulation of the RothC model was then compared with a novel non-standard integrator that represents an alternative to the exponential Rosenbrock–Euler approach in the literature.

The Labor Government's Industrial Relations Policy: Flexibility with Equity

1992 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
pp. 112-125 ◽  
Author(s):  
Peter Cook
Keyword(s):  
Management Practices ◽  
Industrial Relations ◽  
Safety Net ◽  
International Markets ◽  
Vital Role ◽  
Workplace Culture ◽  
Equity And Efficiency ◽  
The Government ◽  
Wage Increases

The fundamental objective of the Government's industrial relations policy is to encourage and assist Australian companies and their employees to adopt work and management practices that will strengthen their capacity to compete successfully both in domestic and international markets. To this end we support co-operative and equitable workplace bargaining, with wage increases being linked to the reform of work practices and attitudes. Our support for decentralised bargaining is aimed at improving productivity by fostering a new workplace culture of striving for continuous improvement. We emphatically reject the view that such an outcome will be achieved by wholesale deregulation and reliance on unfettered market forces. The Government is committed, for both equity and efficiency reasons, to maintaining the Accord approach to wages policy. We are also committed to an independent Australian Industrial Relations Commission playing the vital role of protecting lower paid employees through the safety net of minimum award wages and conditions.

Europeanisation and Foreign and Security Policy – Undermining or Rescuing the Nation State?

Politics ◽  
2005 ◽  
Vol 25 (3) ◽  
pp. 175-190 ◽  
Author(s):  
Claudia Major
Keyword(s):  
Security Policy ◽  
Political System ◽  
National Level ◽  
Nation States ◽  
Constitutive Process ◽  
Foreign And Security Policy ◽  
Policy Fields ◽  
Intergovernmental Policy ◽  
The Eu

The article aims to explore the utility of Europeanisation as a concept to grasp the interactions between national and European levels. The article illustrates how the EU impacts on the national level of policy, polity and the politics of Member States and assesses how the role of nation states within the European political system has changed as a result. First, the existing definitions of Europeanisation are critically assessed, contextualised and delimited. Initially developed for communitised policy areas in the first pillar, Europeanisation is defined as an interactive, ongoing and mutually constitutive process of ‘Europeanising’ and ‘Europeanised’ countries, linking national and European levels. Defining Europeanisation as ‘domestic change’, the article then discusses mechanisms, objects and forms, as well as the criteria and conditions of change. The article subsequently seeks to clarify the validity of the Europeanisation concept in capturing the increasing interwovenness of national and European spheres in intergovernmental policy fields situated in the second pillar of the EU, that is, foreign and security policy. Inherent methodological challenges, mainly due to the deficient delimitation of Europeanisation and the intergovernmental character of this policy field are discussed as well as the particularities of its applicability in this unique policy area.

scholarly journals Trade Union Practices in the EU and Latvia: Experience for Eastern Partnership Countries

2014 ◽  
Vol 4 (2) ◽  
pp. 99-118
Author(s):  
Sergejs Stacenko ◽  
Biruta Sloka
Keyword(s):  
Public Sector ◽  
Trade Union ◽  
Trade Unions ◽  
Industrial Relations ◽  
Comparative Approach ◽  
Eastern Partnership ◽  
The Public ◽  
Social Dialogue ◽  
Eastern Partnership Countries ◽  
The Eu

AbstractThe article will show major dimensions in the experience of EU Member States that could be shared with the Eastern Partnership (EaP) countries. The framework of the study is the EU concept of trade unions in social dialogue and social partnership in the public sector. This study outlines the concept of social dialogue as a core element of industrial relations and will focus on industrial relations specifically in the public sector. The authors have elaborated the approach to industrial relations and social dialogue taking into account comparative approach to definitions provided by international institutions such as ILO and OECD, as well as institutions in the EU and Latvia. Latvia is also a case study for Eastern Partnership countries as these countries and their trade unions are in a transition period from socialist structures to structures that possess liberal economies. Trade unions in these countries are members of the International Trade Union Confederation. The major transformation that trade unions underwent from being part of the socialist system and becoming an independent institution since Latvia regained independence in 1991 has been studied. The paper discusses the current developments related to the position of Latvian Free Trade Union Federation in the system of decision-making process related to the public administration management. Finally, the prospective role of trade unions in the EU and in Latvia is analysed and possible revitalisation of trade union is discussed. This approach could be applied to the Eastern Partners of the EU.

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