Transformation, EU Membership and Labour Relations in Central Eastern Europe: Poland — Czech Republic — Hungary — Slovenia

2000 ◽  
Vol 6 (3) ◽  
pp. 399-415 ◽  
Author(s):  
Heribert Kohl ◽  
Wolfgang Lecher ◽  
Hans-Wolfgang Platzer
Keyword(s):  
Czech Republic ◽  
Eastern Europe ◽  
Trade Unions ◽  
Works Councils ◽  
East European ◽  
Labour Relations ◽  
Central Eastern Europe ◽  
Interest Representation ◽  
Social Partners ◽  
Enterprise Level

The article starts by emphasising the differences between the Central and East European countries in terms of their labour relations traditions, providing a brief characterisation for four CEECs, with Slovenia identified as the country in which the participatory tradition is strongest. Subsequent sections identify similarities and differences in terms of collective labour law and labour relations at enterprise and supra-enterprise level. At enterprise level the article provides examples of co-operative relations between trade unions and works councils (Slovenia), a dual system of interest representation imposed by government without trade union support (Hungary), political duplication of representation structures (Poland), and the tendency to retain former representation structures (Czech Republic). Similar differences emerge with respect to tripartism, which remains underdeveloped in all countries, again with the exception of Slovenia. The relative weakness of the social partners, and in particular their fragmentation, are shown to be a problem for the candidate countries on their path towards EU accession. Here the European social partners, in particular the ETUC and UNICE, and also European works councils in firms with subsidiaries in eastern Europe should do more to promote social dialogue in the CEECs.

Employee Rights and Labour Relations in Central and Eastern Europe

2010 ◽  
Vol 6 (5) ◽  
pp. 343-356
Author(s):  
Katarzyna Skorupinska
Keyword(s):  
Eastern Europe ◽  
Trade Unions ◽  
Central And Eastern Europe ◽  
Economic Recession ◽  
Employee Rights ◽  
Social Dimension ◽  
Works Councils ◽  
Labour Relations ◽  
Employee Representation ◽  
New Form

Transformation of economies in Central and Eastern Europe countries has not been accompanied by sufficient guarantees for social dimension. Following that, the economic recession has particularly badly affected these countries. However, well-functioning social dialogue and regulated labour relations with well developed employee rights are the very bases of social guarantees. The analysis carried out in this paper leads to a conclusion that employee representation in workplaces in Central and Eastern Europe is still trade unions’ domain, in spite of the 2002 Directive’s implementation and (in general) dual system of worker representation in these countries. Initially, trade unions were afraid of the competition from works councils. With the passing of time, they toned down their inimical attitude towards these institutions. However, employees have not completely accepted the new form of worker participation yet and the number of works councils in these countries is still relatively small.

Laboratories of the new Europe: trade unions, employee interest representation and participation in foreign investment enterprises in central and eastern Europe

2006 ◽  
Vol 12 (4) ◽  
pp. 577-591
Author(s):  
Eckhard Voss
Keyword(s):  
Eastern Europe ◽  
Trade Unions ◽  
Central And Eastern Europe ◽  
Industrial Relations ◽  
Shop Floor ◽  
The Czech Republic ◽  
New Member States ◽  
Interest Representation ◽  
Trade Unionism ◽  
Foreign Investment Enterprises

This article examines a number of aspects of the industrial relations practices of foreign investors in central and eastern Europe, focusing on trade union structures, employee interest representation, and consultation and social dialogue at the company level. Based on evidence from selected companies in Poland, the Czech Republic, Hungary and Slovakia, the paper argues that the experiences of multinational companies with regard to employee interest representation and shop-floor trade unionism should be regarded as ‘laboratories of learning processes' which are not only having an impact on the ongoing transformation of industrial relations and corporate cultures in the new Member States but also on the whole of Europe, most notably the future shape of institutionalised employee participation.

scholarly journals East European Jews – prejudice or pride?

2015 ◽  
pp. 165-179
Author(s):  
Waldemar Szczerbiński
Keyword(s):  
Eastern Europe ◽  
Collective Identity ◽  
The United States ◽  
Self Awareness ◽  
Eastern European ◽  
East European ◽  
Central Eastern Europe ◽  
The World ◽  
The One ◽  
Spiritual Legacy

Jews from Central-Eastern Europe play a significant role in the formation of individual and social self-awareness in the Jewish world. It seems that in the Jewish world there exists a polarised approach to the Jews from this part of the world. On the one hand, there is pride, on the other, prejudice verging on shame. Some Jews have identified themselves with the group, others did the opposite, denied having anything to do with them. The most important question of our analyses is: what is the role of Eastern European Jews in building Jewish collective identity? Byron Sherwin, an American Jew, is an example of a great fascination with the Yiddish civilisation. Not only does he recognize and appreciate the spiritual legacy of Jews in Poland for other Jews around the world, but also accords this legacy a pre-eminent status in the collective Jewish identity. At the same time, he is conscious of the fact that not all Jews, if only in the United States, share his view. It is an upshot of the deep prejudice towards the life in the European Diaspora, which has been in evidence for some time. The same applies to the Jews in Israel. The new generations see the spiritual and cultural achievements of the Eastern European Jews as a legacy that should be learned and developed. This engenders hope that the legacy of the Jews of Eastern Europe will be preserved and will become a foundation of identity for future generations. 

Central-Eastern Europe will compete for US favour

2019 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Eastern Europe ◽  
The Black Sea ◽  
Staff Turnover ◽  
Defense Department ◽  
Content Type ◽  
White House ◽  
East European ◽  
Central Eastern Europe ◽  
Central Eastern ◽  
The Baltic

Subject Trump’s effect on US-European relations. Significance Staff turnover and fragmented decision-making at the highest level in the White House and State Department are leaving mounting problems in Central-Eastern Europe (CEE) to the Defense Department and NATO. Along the Eastern frontier, concerns over Russian aggression have led to competition for more US attention from the Baltic to the Black Sea. Impacts Acceptance of the ‘America First’ doctrine will indirectly authorise nationalist politics in Europe. Trump’s admiration for their methods will empower East European ‘strongmen’. Turkey will further distance itself from core principles of NATO collaboration.

Workers' representation at company level in CEE countries

2003 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 31-49 ◽  
Author(s):  
Miroslav Stanojevic ◽  
Grigor Gradev
Keyword(s):  
Empirical Research ◽  
Trade Unions ◽  
Eastern European ◽  
Collective Identities ◽  
Works Councils ◽  
Collective Interest ◽  
Social Dialogue ◽  
Interest Representation ◽  
Workplace Relations ◽  
The Social

Current workplace relations in central and eastern European candidate countries are strongly influenced by the legacy of fragmented workers’ interests and at best undeveloped semi-autonomous forms of collective interest representation. In addition, most trade unions have been unable to develop adequate strategies to cope with the pressures of radical marketisation and to forge collective identities. In this environment the mechanical implementation of social dialogue institutions could trigger opposition from the trade unions, conflicts between unions and works councils in companies where autonomous trade unions exist, and even serious damage to the unions. The social dialogue institutions will only have the desired effects in CEE companies if they are developed on the basis of trade unions that have been strengthened, or even, in the case of non-unionised companies, created. This article draws on empirical research into the operation of trade unions and works councils in the CEE countries, in particular Hungary and Slovenia.

scholarly journals The revival of China's organised Labour 1973-86

1970 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Richard Morris
Keyword(s):  
Industrial Policy ◽  
Trade Union ◽  
Cultural Revolution ◽  
Trade Unions ◽  
Current Status ◽  
Labour Relations ◽  
Enterprise Level ◽  
Chinese Trade ◽  
Post Cultural Revolution

This paper analyses the development and role of Chinese trade unions in the post Cultural Revolution era. The growth of organised labour fronz virtual dissolution in the late 1960s is charted at national and enterprise level. The text outlines significant post 1973 trade union involvement in industrial welfare, education and productivity. The current status of wage fixation and grievance handling in Chinese labour relations is also explored. The paper concludes by appraising Chinese trade unionisrn and its relationship to industrial policy in recent times.

Russia will keep up EU periphery’s low-risk subversion

2018 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Eastern Europe ◽  
Public Trust ◽  
Low Risk ◽  
Content Type ◽  
East European ◽  
Central Eastern Europe ◽  
Weak Institutions ◽  
Central Eastern ◽  
Economic Ties ◽  
At Home

Subject Russian attempts at destabilising Central-Eastern Europe. Significance Russia is engaged in an active campaign of overt and covert attempts to influence Central-East European (CEE) leaders and populations. However, although it can exacerbate existing divisions and trends, there is little evidence that Russia will have any decisive impact. Impacts Russian influence operations cannot create inter- and intra-national disputes in the region, but they do capitalise on and exacerbate them. The region will continue to be susceptible to Russian manipulation because of weak institutions and historic and economic ties to Moscow. Eroded institutions and public trust will expose countries to other influence operations, from populists at home to China in the longer run.

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