Aufstieg und Niedergang eines sozialpolitischen Handlungsfeldes: der Arbeits- und Gesundheitsschutz der Europäischen Union

The free circulation of goods and enterprises in the European market is presenting a challenge to national health and safety policies. For that reason, from the very beginning of the process of European unification, health and safety at work has been considered a fundamental pillar of European social policy. Over several decades, the EU institutions developed legislation with minimal provisions. That legislation contributed to a armonization of the situations between member countries and an improvement of the working conditions. However, during the last decade, that development has come to a halt. A mix of political and institutional causes is responsible for this. For the trade unions, the revitalization of health and safety policies and the development of stronger EU legislation in that field should be a crucial priority for the coming years.