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One-way street to the European Union? Between national and EU-level social dialogue 20 years after eastward EU enlargement

Author

Listed:
  • Mehtap Akgüç

    (European Trade Union Institute, Belgium
    Institute of Labor Economics, Germany)

  • Marta Kahancová

    (Central European Labour Studies Institute, Slovakia
    Comenius University, Slovakia)

  • Jaan Masso

    (University of Tartu, Estonia)

Abstract

This article assesses perceptions among national and EU-level social partners of developments in social dialogue since the EU accession of Central and Eastern European (CEE) countries 20 years ago. The analysis evaluates the processes, structures and outcomes of interactions between social partners from CEE countries and the EU level. Social partners from CEE countries see the benefits of interaction with and exposure to EU-level social dialogue. On the other hand, their underdeveloped national structures for tripartite dialogue and sectoral bargaining pose a substantial barrier to capacity building and to voicing their interests at the EU level, undermining their legitimacy in EU-level structures. Even 20 years after enlargement, there is a perceived duality and internal competition between ‘Western’ and ‘Eastern’ social partners at the EU level, criticisms of the ability of EU-level social dialogue structures to deliver effective outcomes, and a diversity of actors’ preferences concerning binding and non-binding provisions.

Suggested Citation

  • Mehtap Akgüç & Marta Kahancová & Jaan Masso, 2024. "One-way street to the European Union? Between national and EU-level social dialogue 20 years after eastward EU enlargement," Transfer: European Review of Labour and Research, , vol. 30(1), pages 33-49, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:treure:v:30:y:2024:i:1:p:33-49
    DOI: 10.1177/10242589241229070
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Sabrina Weber, 2010. "Sectoral social dialogue at EU level - recent results and implementation challenges," Transfer: European Review of Labour and Research, , vol. 16(4), pages 489-507, November.
    2. Smismans, Stijn, 2008. "The European Social Dialogue in the Shadow of Hierarchy," Journal of Public Policy, Cambridge University Press, vol. 28(1), pages 161-180, April.
    3. Marta Kahancová & Monika Martišková & Carl Nordlund, 2019. "Enhancing the Effectiveness of Social Dialogue Articulation in Europe: Conceptual and Analytical Framework in a Multi-Level Governance Perspective," Discussion Papers 55, Central European Labour Studies Institute (CELSI).
    4. Christian Lévesque & Gregor Murray, 2010. "Understanding union power: resources and capabilities for renewing union capacity," Transfer: European Review of Labour and Research, , vol. 16(3), pages 333-350, August.
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