The Transformation of Labour Law in Europe

A Comparative Study of 15 Countries 1945-2004

Bob Hepple, Bruno Veneziani, Bob Hepple, Bruno Veneziani

• Publisher: Hart Publishing
• Year: 2009
• Print ISBN:
  9781841138701
• Edition: 1
• eBook ISBN:
  9781847315359
• Topic: Law
• Subtopic: Labour & Employment Law
• Index: Law

The labour laws of European democracies all underwent major transformations in the seven decades after the Second World War. Following reconstruction, these laws became an essential element in the building of welfare states; in the 1980s and 1990s they were the target of neo-liberal deregulation; and at the beginning of the 21st century new 'flexible' labour laws have attempted to integrate economic and social policy. This book, a sequel to 'The Making of Labour Law in Europe- A Comparative Study of Nine Countries up to 1945' (ed. B Hepple), compares the similarities and differences in the ways in which EU Member States reflected and shaped these general developments, in the context of economic, social and political changes over the period 1945-2004.

Note: the Publishers are issuing a reprint of the first volume, 'The Making of Labour Law in Europe - A Comparative Study of Nine Countries up to 1945' to coincide with publication of the sequel.



The great strength of the collection is on the focus on context, with chapters looking at developments in labour market trends and structures of worker represntation.

Table of contents

• Prelims
• Preface
• Acknowledgements
• Contents
• The Authors
• Table of Abbreviations
• 1 Introduction
• 2 Economic Policy and Labour Law
• Introduction
• Reconstruction (1945–50)
• The Welfare State (1950–72)
• Restructuring and Deregulation (1980–89)
• Global Capitalism: the European Response (1990–2004)
• Conclusion
• 3 Regulation of the Labour Market
• Labour Market Policies and Right to Work
• Reconstruction (1945–50)
• The Welfare State (1950–72)
• Economic Crisis (1973–79)
• Restructuring and Deregulation (1980–89)
• Global Capitalism: the European Response (1990–2004)
• Conclusion
• 4 The Employment Relationship
• Reconstruction: the Permanent Legacy of the Past(1945–50)
• Welfare State: the Impact of Social Legislation (1950–72)
• Economic Crisis: the Uncertain Meaning of Subordination (1973–79)
• Restructuring and Deregulation: Deviations from the Standard Contract (1980–89)
• Global Capitalism: Setting Minimum European Standards (1990–2004)
• Conclusion
• 5 Equality at Work
• Introduction
• Human Rights in the New World Order (1948–58)
• Formal Equality (1957–75)
• Substantive Equality (1976–99)
• The Dawn of Comprehensive and Transformative Equality? (2000–04)
• Conclusion
• 6 Wage Labour and Social Security
• Introduction
• Construction and Consolidation of the Welfare State (1945–78)
• Stabilisation and Restructuring of the Welfare State (1979–2004)
• Conclusion: the Changing Idea of the Welfare State
• 7 Collective Labour Relations
• Introduction
• Reconstruction: Building the Pillars of Collective Rights (1945–50)
• The Welfare State: Free Collective Bargaining, Neo-corporatism and Industrial Conflict (1950–72)
• Responses to Economic Crisis (1973–89)
• The Impact of Global Capitalism on Labour Relations (1990–2004)
• Conclusion
• 8 Workers’ Representation at the Plant and Enterprise Level
• Continuity and Change in Workers’ Representation
• Reconstruction (1945–50)
• Economic Growth and the Welfare State (1950–73)
• Excursus: Health and Safety Representatives (1968–89)
• Economic Crisis (1973–79)
• Restructuring and Deregulation (1980–96)
• Globalisation: the European Response (1997–2004)
• 9 Enforcement of Labour Law
• Introduction: the Pre-war Heritage
• Reconstruction and the Autonomy of Labour Law (1945–70)
• Juridification (1970–90)
• Alternative Dispute Resolution and Europeanisation (1990–2004)
• Conclusion
• Appendix I The Countries: A Short Guide
• Austria
• Belgium
• Britain (United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland)
• Denmark
• Finland
• France
• Germany
• Greece (Hellas)
• Ireland
• Italy
• Luxembourg
• The Netherlands
• Portugal
• Spain
• Sweden
• Appendix II Chronology of Labour Law 1945-2005
• Bibliography
• Index