Social Policy and Labour Law during Austerity in the European Union

Abstract:

The austerity policy introduced in response to the financial and economic crisis in the EU was developed in a quick and emergency driven process. As a consequence, it was not based on any explicit social policy considerations.

As no impact evaluation or follow-up mechanism was created in order to assess and correct the possible mistakes or unexpected outcomes of the austerity measures, they soon began challenge European commitments to fundamental rights.

In this policy analysis, Niklas Bruun evaluates those developments, specifically in the field of collective bargaining and gender equality, where austerity measures in the crisis countries have led to massive human rights violations and to tacit policy changes contrary to the fundamental commitments of the EU Treaty.