Labour Markets at a Crossroads

The European labour market models are at a crossroads. Almost all Western European countries have experienced a lack of job creation, productivity and growth for an extended period of time. There is a problem of unemployment overall, but most urgently for the young, for immigrants and for the disabled. There is a clear need for reform. This volume, Labour Markets at a Crossroads: Causes of Change, Challenges and Need to Reform, investigates a number of vital aspects of the European labour markets and the challenges they face. The chapters give new perspectives on how the different labour market models in Europe work, and what consequences they have. The contributing authors are academic scholars in economics, political science, sociology and economic history from a variety of European countries. The book is structured around three main themes: Flexicurity and Labour Market Dynamics Trade Unions and Industrial Action Wages and Bargaining A central conclusion made by the editors is that one of the main causes of the shortcomings of the European labour markets is the existence of what they call corporative cartels. Moreover, there are clear options for policy choice, both for legislators and the social partners themselves.