EU Social Agenda

Grace Hudson

University of Bradford

History and Context

EC/EU competencies Subsidiarity and proportionality Legislative decision-making process

European social model v American economic model

Strong commitment to social policy by member states – except Britain under Conservative Government (1979-1997)

Commitment in Treaties

There has been provision for social policy in the Treaties from the Treaty of Rome 1957

- but originally narrow definition:working conditions

standard of living

equal pay for equal work

social security for migrants

increased mobility of workers

Wider policy in hands of member states

Policies and Initiatives

1960s – policy focused mainly on labour mobility

1970s – harsh economic climate 1st Social action programme 1974

For full employment, better living and working conditions, workers’ participation in decision making, equal treatment of men and women

Establishment of EFIWLC and CEDEFOP

Disparities between rich and poor regions

Policies and Initiatives

Structural funds European Social Fund established 1957 European Regional Development Fund 1975

Aimed to reduce regional disparities, address aspects of social policy, combat long-term unemployment, promote education and training

And later, Cohesion fund 1992

Policies and Initiatives

Single European Act New “title” on economic and social cohesion Qualified majority voting on health and safety of

workers Opportunity used by Commission to enact range

of social policy legislation – but raised a number of legal challenges, eg British government’s objection to “Working time” Directive 1993 (challenge rejected by Court of Justice)

Policies and Initiatives

SEA Social Dialogue – Commission required to develop a

dialogue between employers and employees

Review of and substantial increase in structural funds

Policies and Initiatives

Delors review of social consequences of single market programme

Fears of “social dumping”Attempt to promote social dimensionCommunity Charter on the Fundamental Social

Rights of Workers (Social Charter)– adopted 1989 by 11 member states (not UK)

Lack of success/blocking of social policy legislation – unanimous decisions required

Policy and Initiatives

Social Protocol in Maastricht Treaty Incorporated social provisions of Social Charter Proposed Social chapter opposed by Major Britain opted out of Social Protocol but terms of

Treaty of Rome re social policy (as revised by later treaties) still applied

Social issues now core policy – includes issues such as protection of children and young people, freedom of association, public health, help for elderly and disabled (number of programmes)

Policy and Initiatives

Anomalous situation of the UK Little legislation adopted under Social

Protocol, eg only two directives on European works councils and parental leave – other legal bases used where possible

Treaty reform – adoption of Amsterdam Treaty – new Labour government agreed to incorporation of social protocol and to adoption of the two directives

Policy and Initiatives

1990s - Concerns about unemployment and competitiveness

White paper on the development of social policy in the period 1995-1999 (1994) Focus on job creation, labour mobility, equal

opportunity, integration of social and economic policies

No major legislative agenda in next social action programme – more focus on discussion

Policy and Initiatives

Social Policy Agenda adopted 2000 as part of Lisbon Strategy for jobs and growth More and better jobs New balance between flexibility and security in a changing work

environment Combating poverty, social exclusion, and discrimination Modernising social security protection systems Promoting equality between men and women Reinforcing the social dimension of enlargement and external

relations

Policy and Initiatives

Lisbon Strategy – “modernising the European social model, investing in people and combating social exclusion”

Use of Open Method of Co-ordination National Reform Programmes Joint Employment Reports Action Plans Annual Progress Reports

Benchmarking, best practice, target setting, peer pressure

Policy and Intitiates

Follow up from revised Lisbon Strategy:Communication on the Social Agenda

COM (2005) 53

Key priorities:

employment

fighting poverty and promoting equal opportunities

Eg older people in workforce – “active ageing”, employment of women, managing restructuring through social dialogue

Policy and Initiatives

Renewed social agenda: opportunities, access and solidarity in 21st century Europe

COM (2008) 412

Concept of “Flexicurity”

ESF spend 2007-13 75 billion euros

Policy and Initiatives – next

Target of eradicating poverty by 2010

2010 is to be the European Year for Combating Poverty and Social Exclusion

Consultation on the future “EU 2020” strategy

COM (2009) 647

Sources of information

Key policy documents Legislation Pending legislation Guides and background publications Statistics Opinion poll surveys Europa website Comment and analysis – books, journals, reports