Fundamental social rights at work in the European Community

Fundamental social rights at work in the European Community

This volume addresses some of the issues developing in the modern debate over the potential for formulating a 'social constitution' for Europe, in the context of the legal order of the European Community. It contains the combined reflections of various members of the judiciaries of the Member States of the European Community and of the EEA States, particularly those with direct experience of judicial dispute resolution in relation to rights at work and the relations between employers and workers within the European Community.

Building upon the agenda offered by the 1996 Report of the Comité des Sages, For a Europe of Civil and Social Rights, the book discusses a selection of issues from the perspective of implementing and giving practical effect to 'rights' of workers at work in the European Community. Consideration is given to the international framework of rights, as these have impacted upon work relationships and rights of workers, and questions are posed as to the enforceability of particular putative 'rights', given the experience to date in other supra-national contexts.

This study offers some reflections from a uniquely qualified group of actors on the stage of European labour law. In addressing the practical problems of developing enforceable rights, it also offers an important judicial contribution to the general fundamental rights debate, as well as a timely addition to the discourse on European social policy.

The book is divided into two sections: Part I, 'Fundamental social rights at work in the European Community' and Part II 'Selected International Instruments'.