Comparative Employment Relations in Europe: Work and Democracy under International Pressure

The current economic crisis has highlighted the need for renewed comparative industrial relations to account for change and international factors. This book examines the patterns of change in industrial relations in the six largest EU countries over the last twenty years,under the pressure of multinational companies,labour migration,and EU policies. It argues that national political traditions continue to play a significant role in how international pressures on employment relations are dealt with and emphasizes the importance of considering the diversity of social actors and their increasing cross-border relations.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 400 pages
Publication date: 01 January 2021
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

The current economic crisis, with its varying impacts on employment across countries like Germany, the UK, and Spain, has underscored the enduring significance of comparative industrial relations. However, it has also highlighted the urgent need for its renewal. The traditional approaches, rooted in institutions and national "models," have failed to adequately account for change and the influence of international factors. This book aims to bridge this gap by examining the patterns of change in industrial relations in the six largest EU countries over the past two decades. Through extensive firsthand research conducted in these countries, it presents a comprehensive argument emphasizing the ongoing relevance of national political traditions in navigating international pressures on employment relations.

The book argues that, despite twenty years of international liberalization, the labor market remains a fundamentally political construct. Its understanding requires a nuanced consideration of the diverse social actors and their growing interconnections across borders. This diagnosis holds significant implications for the nature of democracy and social rights within the European Union.

Written in a clear and accessible style, the book is enriched with empirical case studies to enhance its practicality. It is designed to appeal to a wide audience, including researchers, practitioners, undergraduate and postgraduate students, and anyone interested in understanding the dynamics of industrial relations and their impact on societies.

In conclusion, this book offers a valuable contribution to the field of industrial relations by exploring the changing landscape of employment relations in the EU and its implications for democracy and social rights. It provides a timely and insightful analysis that will be of interest to scholars, policymakers, and practitioners alike.

Dimension: 246 x 174 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780415637916