Trade union renewal

Policy considerations EU competition law imposes limits on the scope of collective labour law, as it precludes self-employed workers from collective bargaining . There is a rising number of self-employed workers whose livelihood are characterised by increasing precariousness and whose working conditions could be improved by ensuring that collective... Find out more

This special issue, the third in a series of Transfer issues on ‘the state of trade unionism in Europe’, examines the international activity of European trade unions. Trade unions in Europe today operate in a complex and multi-layered institutional environment, ranging from the workplace, where the central concern is the representation of members’... Find out more

Non-financial reporting is the provision by companies of information regarding their policies that have an impact on workers, the environment and society. EU requirements for such reporting are based on Directive 2014/95/EU on the disclosure of non-financial and diversity information by certain large undertakings and groups. This Directive falls... Find out more

Are foreign multinational companies more or less likely than domestically-owned firms to recognise trade unions and engage seriously in collective bargaining? On the face of it, a multinational company is in a stronger position relative to employees as it can play off one group against another. On the other hand, big multinationals often recognise... Find out more

Letterbox companies are legal entities set up by businesses to benefit from a regulatory framework in a jurisdiction in which they have little or no material operations. They enable ‘regime shopping’ for lower taxes, wages, labour standards and social contributions, as well as for different legal rights under bilateral treaties. According to... Find out more