Policy Study

13/04/2016

European labour markets currently fail millions for whom they cannot provide work, and millions more who must face job insecurity, underemployment, stagnant wages or poverty pay. The forces which have served to weaken our labour markets include political failure, globalisation, technological change, labour union decline and the increasing power of capital vis-à-vis labour. Ominously, each of these forces look likely to accelerate, rather than abate. This is – clearly – a particular problem for a movement so historically and closely bound up with the labour movement, and labour rights. Given this, it is imperative that European socialists look beyond their existing prescriptions for labour markets. We may have lost the recent history of labour, but it is essential we reclaim the future.

This paper identifies and develops four new areas which policymakers may seek to exploit. Firstly, we assess the potential for strengthening labour markets through a renewed focus on international solidarity – including deepening cross border cooperation with labour organisations and learning from best practice both in and outside of Europe. Secondly, we consider the options for strengthening the position of migrant labourers within the EU – a policy which serves to not only build solidarity within Europe, but also begin to mitigate the race to the bottom which characterises man sectors of European Labour markets.

We also consider the possibility of developing Europe’s industrial strategy such that it becomes capable of coordinating the development of capacity and innovation – and in so doing, securing the kind of work that (particularly young) European workers often seek. And in the same vein, we conclude by arguing that the European left must look much more closely at developing a basic income style proposal of its own. Such a policy, we argue, offers the prospect of the most radical and effective rebalancing of Europe’s labour market. We argue that much of the leftist scepticism over a basic income is misplaced, and that suitably defined – the policy represents an invaluable pro-socialist and pro-labour option for the future.

Network
Karl Renner Institut
Find all related publications
Publications
22/04/2025

Trade, trust, and transition: Shaping the next transatlantic chapter

Essays series by FEPS and Center for American Progress (CAP)
08/04/2025

The profit-price spiral in food and energy

Analysis and toolbox to fight inflation
17/02/2025

Expected labour market effects of the Green Deal Industrial Plan (2)

A regional labour policy approach
13/02/2025

In search of the progressive paths to rebuild Ukraine

Progressive Ukraine series
Find all related Progressive Post
Progressive Post
11/04/2025

Trump’s tariff boomerang

Most trade pundits (and a few others) were shocked by the magnitude of Trump’s tariff […]
11/04/2025

Trade as a force for good jobs

Tariffs and trade wars are never good for workers who inevitably end up paying the […]
Find all related events
Events
Past
23 - 24/04/2025
Washington DC, USA (Expert meeting)

Trade, trust and transition

Progressive Economics Network (PEN) 2025 meeting in Washington D.C.
11/04/2025
FEPS HQ, Brussels (Stakeholder meeting)

Roadmap to the next MFF

Supporting Just Transition and cohesion
09/04/2025
Berlin, Germany

Day of Progressive Economic Policy 2025

The new European Commission and the incoming German government are facing unprecedented challenges:  an industry […]
Find all related news
News
26/02/2025

FEPS reaction to the European Commission’s Clean Industrial Deal

What Teresa Ribera presented today is an ambitious plan that makes the case for Europe […]
07/02/2025

FEPS President on the European car industry and the Competitive Compass on Euronews ‘Brussels, my love?’

FEPS President Maria João Rodrigues took part in the Euronews talk show ‘Brussels, my love?‘ […]
15/01/2025

Launch of the new Open Progressive University’s Ukraine programme!

We have launched the new programme ‘Progressive Ukraine’ in collaboration with S&D Group as part […]
21/10/2024

Your Future is Social – A Pillar for our Rights 

Video series - Why social rights must top the new EU agenda and how to make it happen
Find all related in the media
In the media

Tévedés azt hinni, hogy Trump után visszatérhetünk a régi kerékvágásba

by telex 24/04/2025
“It’s a mistake to think we can go back to the old normal after Trump”. Interview with FEPS Secretary General László Andor in Telex (HU), where he discusses the global trade tensions triggered by Trump-era tariffs, the shifting US-China dynamic, and the need for the EU to develop a new strategic approach in a permanently changed world order.

“Nem Brüsszel akar diktálni Magyarországnak, hanem Orbán Európának”

by Klubrádió 08/11/2024
"It is not Brussels that wants to dictate to Hungary, but Orbán to Europe" Hetes stúdió interview with FEPS President Maria João Rodrigues, Birgit Sippel and Petra Bayr about the Call to Europe Hungary

Hogyan értékelte az ország uniós helyzetét a Call to Europe konferencia?

by Jelen 08/11/2024
'How did the Call to Europe Hungary conference evaluate the country's position in the EU?' Jelen's Podcast with FEPS Secretary General László Andor

The need to strengthen policies for a Social Europe

by Le Club de Mediapart 29/10/2024
Article by Le Club Mediapart about the presentation of FEPS Primer's Greek edition, 'Social Europe: From Vision to Vigour' with László Andor and Björn Hacker in an event coorganised with ETERON in Athens.