Working papers

WP 2009.05

A quantum of solace? An assessment of fiscal stimulus packages by EU Member States in response to the economic crisis

By Andrew Watt with the collaboration of Mariya Nikolova

This ETUI Working Paper analyses the fiscal stimulus packages implemented by EU Member States against the background of the on-going economic crisis. Alongside the overall volume of the packages, the study, which is based on a survey of national experts, considers their content and also the involvement – or lack of it – of the social partners and particularly trade unions.

WP 2009.04

European Works Councils: an assessment of their social welfare impact

By Sigurt Vitols

The working paper analyses the impact of EWCs on four different groups: shareholders, creditors, managers and employees. It argues that EWCs provide a net benefit. There are no significant negative impacts on shareholders and creditors while there are clear positive benefits for employees and managers.

WP 2009.03

Intra-EU labour migration: flows, effects and policy responses

By Béla Galgóczi, Janine Leschke and Andrew Watt

This ETUI working paper provides an overview of the debate on intra-EU labour migration. It outlines the different options open to and taken by member states regarding the issue of freedom of movement within the European Union. It also considers patterns and dimensions of labour migration after EU enlargement in 2004 and the associated effects in both sending and receiving countries and finally the policies adopted by different governments, trade unions and employers’ organisations.

WP 2009.02

Paradigm shift: social justice as a prerequisite for sustainable development

By Christophe Degryse and Philippe Pochet

The authors argue that a new paradigm is needed for European and national policies if the challenge of sustainable development is to be answered. It will not be sufficient to simply adjust policies to short-term considerations. Rather than solely relying on economic growth, it is by promoting social cohesion and protecting the environment that a sustainable society will be created. This will require a re-examination of modes of production, distribution, transport, consumption while integrating within it as a prerequisite the notion of social justice.

WP 2009.01

Plant-level responses to the economic crisis in Europe

By Vera Glassner and Béla Galgóczi
How are social policy actors in major sectors of the European economy responding to the current economic and financial crisis? This working paper summarises the plant-level responses of social policy actors to the symptoms of the current recession between October and mid January 2009. It examines how organised labour and capital responded to the crisis in key sectors and countries and what collective bargaining and labour market policy tools were available to deal with its effects and thus safeguard employment.

WP 2008.07

Job quality in Europe

By Janine Leschke and Andrew Watt
The ETUI has created a job quality index (JQI) in order to shed light on whether the goal of more jobs has been pursued at the cost of better jobs and how European countries compare with each other with regard to job quality. This Paper outlines some of the initial results of what will be a regular monitoring exercise.

WP 2008.06

Labour cooperation or labour conflict in the enlarged EU? Trade union responses to the rise of the automotive industry in Central-Eastern Europe

By Magdalena Bernaciak
This paper examines how Western and CEE trade unions are coping with intensifying cross-border competition. It asks what strategies they employ to increase or preserve employment levels and to improve working conditions in a transnationally competitive environment.

WP 2008.05

Wage differentials across sectors in Europe: an east-west comparison

By François Rycx, Ilan Tojerow and Daphné Valsamis
This working paper examines wage differentials across sectors in Eastern and Western European countries using harmonised data from the 2002 European structure of earnings survey.

WP 2008.04

Between innovation and ambiguity. The role of flexicurity in labour market analysis and policy making

By Maarten Keune
'Flexicurity’ has become a core concept in the European labour market debate. This working paper argues that the concept of flexicurity appears ill-defined and highly ambiguous concerning its role in informing policy.

WP 2008.03

Putting a number on job quality? Constructing a European job quality index

By Janine Leschke and Andrew Watt, with Mairead Finn
The ETUI has created a European Job Quality Index (JQI). This working paper outlines the choice of data and variables as well as the data processing.