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Relied upon for the heavy lifting: can employment protection legislation reforms lead the EU out of the jobs crisis?

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  • Jason Heyes
  • Paul Lewis

Abstract

This article examines the current drive within the European Union to weaken employment protection legislation. It subjects the case for reform to critical scrutiny and argues that labour market deregulation and the erosion of employment and social protections are reducing workers' security while failing to stimulate economic recovery.

Suggested Citation

  • Jason Heyes & Paul Lewis, 2015. "Relied upon for the heavy lifting: can employment protection legislation reforms lead the EU out of the jobs crisis?," Industrial Relations Journal, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 46(2), pages 81-99, March.
  • Handle: RePEc:bla:indrel:v:46:y:2015:i:2:p:81-99
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    File URL: http://hdl.handle.net/10.1111/irj.12095
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Jesus Ferreiro & Carmen Gomez, 2022. "Employment protection, employment and unemployment rates in European Union countries during the Great Recession," Journal of Economic Policy Reform, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 25(3), pages 240-258, July.
    2. Dobbins, Tony & Johnstone, Stewart & Kahancová, Marta & Lamare, J. Ryan & Wilkinson, Adrian, 2023. "Comparative impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on work and employment—Why industrial relations institutions matter," LSE Research Online Documents on Economics 125303, London School of Economics and Political Science, LSE Library.
    3. Jesus Ferreiro & Carmen Gómez, 2018. "Employment protection and labour market performance in European Union countries during the Great Recession," FMM Working Paper 31-2018, IMK at the Hans Boeckler Foundation, Macroeconomic Policy Institute.
    4. Barbara Samaluk, 2017. "Austerity stabilised through European funds: the impact on Slovenian welfare administration and provision," Industrial Relations Journal, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 48(1), pages 56-71, January.
    5. Tunyi, Abongeh A. & Areneke, Geofry & Tob-Ogu, Abiye & Khalid, Sharif, 2023. "Doing more with more: Women on the board and firm employment," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 154(C).
    6. Diti Goswami & Sourabh Bikas Paul, 2020. "Labor Reforms in Rajasthan: A boon or a bane?," Papers 2012.01016, arXiv.org.
    7. Arestis, Philip & Ferreiro, Jesus & Gómez, Carmen, 2020. "Quality of employment and employment protection. Effects of employment protection on temporary and permanent employment," Structural Change and Economic Dynamics, Elsevier, vol. 53(C), pages 180-188.
    8. Arestis, Philip & Ferreiro, Jesus & Gomez, Carmen, 2023. "Does employment protection legislation affect employment and unemployment?11We acknowledge the comments of an editor and an associate editor of the journal and three reviewers. Their suggestions and r," Economic Modelling, Elsevier, vol. 126(C).
    9. Tony Dobbins & Stewart Johnstone & Marta Kahancová & J. Ryan Lamare & Adrian Wilkinson, 2023. "Comparative impacts of the COVID‐19 pandemic on work and employment—Why industrial relations institutions matter," Industrial Relations: A Journal of Economy and Society, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 62(2), pages 115-125, April.
    10. Jesus Ferreiro & Carmen Gomez, 2020. "Employment protection and labor market results in Europe," Journal of Evolutionary Economics, Springer, vol. 30(2), pages 401-449, April.

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