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Improved Working Conditions and Paths to Worker Solidarity in an Increasingly Diversified EU

Hartzén, Ann-Christine LU orcid (2025) p.151-176
Abstract
The chapter discusses the importance of the EU continuing to promote improved living and working conditions for its citizens without simultaneously risking competition between workers from different member states. The problem discussion is based on the significance of social improvements for the EU to maintain support among citizens and the challenges that arise when EU law encounters the different levels and regulatory models for social protection in member states. Initially, the issue is presented by highlighting how the disparities within the EU have increased, not least during the twenty-first century, and how these differences have led to conflicts and tensions that have created a breeding ground for EU scepticism, with Brexit as a... (More)
The chapter discusses the importance of the EU continuing to promote improved living and working conditions for its citizens without simultaneously risking competition between workers from different member states. The problem discussion is based on the significance of social improvements for the EU to maintain support among citizens and the challenges that arise when EU law encounters the different levels and regulatory models for social protection in member states. Initially, the issue is presented by highlighting how the disparities within the EU have increased, not least during the twenty-first century, and how these differences have led to conflicts and tensions that have created a breeding ground for EU scepticism, with Brexit as a concrete result. Following this, the background and design of the minimum wage directive are discussed as an example of how the EU can address citizens’ needs for social improvements. The specific regulatory model used in the minimum wage directive is highlighted as a clear example of how the EU can reconcile the need for initiatives that benefit citizens without risking undermining existing protection models and the possibilities of strengthening solidarity between workers in different member states. (Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
author
organization
publishing date
type
Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding
publication status
published
subject
keywords
EU social dimension, EU labour law, EU minimum wage, worker solidarity
host publication
The Depth and Size of the European Union in a Time of War : Interdisciplinary European Studies - Interdisciplinary European Studies
editor
Ekman, Per ; Lundqvist, Björn ; Michalski, Anna and Oxelheim, Lars
pages
151 - 176
publisher
Palgrave Macmillan
ISBN
978-3-031-83441-7
978-3-031-83440-0
language
English
LU publication?
yes
id
540cac9b-393f-47bd-951e-a03f086a3fc3
alternative location
https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-031-83441-7_7
date added to LUP
2025-04-15 20:48:02
date last changed
2025-04-26 03:15:40
@inbook{540cac9b-393f-47bd-951e-a03f086a3fc3,
  abstract     = {{The chapter discusses the importance of the EU continuing to promote improved living and working conditions for its citizens without simultaneously risking competition between workers from different member states. The problem discussion is based on the significance of social improvements for the EU to maintain support among citizens and the challenges that arise when EU law encounters the different levels and regulatory models for social protection in member states. Initially, the issue is presented by highlighting how the disparities within the EU have increased, not least during the twenty-first century, and how these differences have led to conflicts and tensions that have created a breeding ground for EU scepticism, with Brexit as a concrete result. Following this, the background and design of the minimum wage directive are discussed as an example of how the EU can address citizens’ needs for social improvements. The specific regulatory model used in the minimum wage directive is highlighted as a clear example of how the EU can reconcile the need for initiatives that benefit citizens without risking undermining existing protection models and the possibilities of strengthening solidarity between workers in different member states.}},
  author       = {{Hartzén, Ann-Christine}},
  booktitle    = {{The Depth and Size of the European Union in a Time of War : Interdisciplinary European Studies}},
  editor       = {{Ekman, Per and Lundqvist, Björn and Michalski, Anna and Oxelheim, Lars}},
  isbn         = {{978-3-031-83441-7}},
  keywords     = {{EU social dimension; EU labour law; EU minimum wage; worker solidarity}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  pages        = {{151--176}},
  publisher    = {{Palgrave Macmillan}},
  title        = {{Improved Working Conditions and Paths to Worker Solidarity in an Increasingly Diversified EU}},
  url          = {{https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-031-83441-7_7}},
  year         = {{2025}},
}