Social Chapter Flashcards
What are the provisions in the Social Chapter?
Some of its provisions include fair remuneration of employment, health and safety at work, rights of disabled and elderly, maximum working week
Advantages of the Social Chapter
• Improved working condition
It has improved the working conditions of employees across the EU – examples such as the minimum wage and increased parental leave may be offered.
Impact of the the Social Chapter on doctors
The Social Chapter has particularly affected workers in specific sectors such as Junior Doctors (working hours) and workers in low paid industries like catering and hospitality.
Success of the Social Chapter
• Labour rights
It ‘evens the playing field’ within the EU by preventing individual countries from undercutting others with lower labour costs or lower employment protection
What did the UK agree to do in the Schengen Agreement?
The UK agreed to the extension of the Schengen Agreement, which planned completely free movement of people and equal citizenship rights throughout the EU
How has the Treaty of Amsterdam improve social rights?
The Amsterdam Treaty further extended rights in areas, such as consumer protection and freedom of information, but this largely confirmed previous agreements
EU institutions protecting citizens’ rights
• The EP and Council of Ministers
The European Parliament and Council of Ministers cover policy areas, such as consumer protection and equal opportunities
Eu institutions protection citizens’ rights
• The ECJ
The ECJ gives individuals and organisations a body to appeal to.
The history of the Social Chapter
The Social Chapter was adopted after the introduction of the single market, with a UK and Ireland opt out
Controversy of the Social Chapter
• Extended rules and regulations
It has extended EU rules and regulations into new areas that erode sovereignty (in which John Major refused to sign it
Controversy of the Social Chapter
• Reducing competitive
It can have the effect of reducing competitive advantage in countries that keep business overheads to a minimum by increasing labour costs, reducing flexibility and causing unemployment because of increased labour costs
Disadvantages of the Social Chapter
• In comparison to other countries
It makes the EU as a whole uncompetitive compared to other economic powers that do not operate such tight labour regulations, such as China, Russian and the USA
Controversy of the Social Chapter
• ‘Social dumping’
It increases the risk of ‘social dumping’, with companies moving to those parts of the EU with lower costs
Controversy of labour mobility within the EU
• Brain drain
It has led to a “brain drain” of the more highly qualified people who have taken advantage of opportunities to work in other parts of the EU
Controversy of labour mobility within the EU
• loss of traditional cultures
It has led to complaints about the loss of traditional cultures, and an expansion of international crime
