Labor, Employment, and Social Policies in the EU Enlargement Process [antikvár]

Foreword Adapting to structural changes in the global economy, raising employment levels and competitiveness, preventing social exclusion—the challenges are common to all European countries. In their search for effective ways to meet these challenges, European countries have been increasingly willing to reassess old habits and dogma. The European Union enlargement is adding a new dimension to these challenges, as well as new opportunities for member and candidate countries to overcome them together Clearly, the prospect of a more broadly integrated and a more competitive Europe should contribute to greater European and global prosperity. Still, given unemployment levels prevailing across Europe, it is hardly surprising that the prospect of heightened competition in product, services, capital, and labor markets would have many worried about their jobs and living standards. Indeed, there is a risk that such emotion-laden questions might cloud the policy debate and distract the public and policymakers from the facts and policy options at hand. It was time, we felt, to talk it over This was the purpose of the conference "Labor, Employment, and Social Policies in the EU Enlargement Process: Changing Perspectives and Policy Options," which took place in Baden and Vienna on June 28-30, 2001. The discussions sought to develop a common understanding of actual labor, employment, and social developments on the ground, as well as of the nature of the challenges ahead; to share concerns and lessons from policy initiatives; to draw on previous