In a decision published yesterday (20 November) the European Committee of Social Rights (ECSR) found that Sweden violated the revised European Social Charter in several respects. Supported by the European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC), its two Swedish affiliates Landsorganisationen i Sverige (LO) and Tjänstemännens Centralorganisation (TCO) filed a complaint against Sweden criticising the ‘Laval’ legislation, which had been introduced in order to conform to the so-called Laval judgment of the Court of Justice of the European Union (Court of Justice) (C-341/05 - Laval un Partneri).
On 2 October 2013, the European Commission announced that it will not consider giving a legal basis to the 2012 social partner agreement in the hairdressing sector until a broader review of EU occupational health and safety legislation has been carried out in 2015. Representatives on both employers’ and employees’ sides have expressed disappointment and anger that measures which could lead to cost-savings and improve employee welfare have been delayed by political pressure.
Stronger participation is a step towards sustainable corporate governance in the economic, social and ecological dimension, which in itself is a step towards a sustainable company. The ETUC reiterates its call for a strengthening and broader scope of the information and consultation procedures, in particular by a revision of the general framework directive, but also of the participation rights in the Member States where such rights exist.
Country Reports on the impact of the Racial Equality Directive: a survey of trade unions and employers - FRA - European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights
The impact of the Racial Equality Directive - Views of trade unions and employers in the European Union (Strengthening the fundamental rights architecture in the EU IV) - FRA - European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights
K. Busch, M. Flore, H. Kohl, and H. Schlatermund (Eds.) Pontypool, Wales, Merlin Press, (2011)Beitr. aus dem Dt. übers. Originaltitel: Europa in sozialer Schieflage.