Year: 2011
Type: article
Abstract: MeAnIng oF soFt LAW?The past few months, the European union made significant steps in addressing the economic and financial crisis, its consequences and the challenges faced in the recovery years.The European council meeting in brussels on 24 and 25 march 2011 produced a new range of decisions.although often justified in light of economic policies the measures proposed by the European union concern in many cases the labour market and the social dimension of the Eu.They ultimately not only affect employment, but also labour law. in the conclusions, it is said that the European council "adopted a comprehensive package of measures to respond to the crisis, preserve financial stability and lay the ground for smart, sustainable, socially inclusive and job-creating growth.This will strengthen the economic governance and competitiveness of the euro area and of the European union". 1 This still remains abstract language.but one another has become more concrete.already for quite some time, the European union and its member states have been discussing the so-called "European semester", a "system whereby member states would benefit from early coordination at European level as they prepare their national budgets and national reform programmes." 2 This will imply early guidance at the beginning of each year from the European council on member states' economic policies.it would also lead to a synchronized assessment and coordination of both fiscal and structural policies at European level.The economic assessment also concerns labour market reforms.in the recent council conclusions, it is made clear that member states need to present a multi-annual consolidation plan including specific deficit, revenue and expenditure targets, with a strategy to reach these targets and a timeline.policies should aim to reducing negative debt trends with, for 2012, deficits below 3% of Gdp in the time-frame agreed upon by the council.Furthermore, consolidation efforts must be complemented by growthenhancing structural reforms.These will take into account the Europe 2020 strategies, and therefore include, according to the council conclusions, the following priorities: make work more attractive; help the unemployed get back to work; combat poverty and promote social inclusion; invest in education and training; balance security and 1 council conclusions -24/25 march 2011, p. 2.
Source: European Labour Law Journal
Author: Frank Hendrickx
Language: English
Topic: Legal and Labor Studies
Subfield: Industrial relations
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: bronze
OpenAlex ID: W2592869963