• Module Coordinator: Dr Yves Stevens
• Language: English
• ECTS credits: 6

Course objectives

The objective of the course is to provide the student insight in the law of the European Union and the functioning of its’ main institutions with regard to social policy.

The course will introduce the students to the nature, major principles, processes and actors of the European legal system and the social policy within the European Union.

Particular attention will be paid to the institutional framework, the EU competences, the EU legislative process and its implementation at national level, some fundamental principles and the common market.

The course covers the legislation and the main case law of the European Court of Justice concerning labour law and social security law. The focus of the course lies with the following specific issues:

• EU Law
  • EU institutions
  • Legal sources of the European Union
• Fundamentals of the European Union
  • Free movement of workers
  • Freedom to provide services
  • Freedom of establishment
  • Free movement of capital
• Social policy: labour law
  • Collective bargaining and social dialogue
  • Collective redundancies
  • Ban on discrimination (i.a. equality between women and men)
  • European works councils
  • Health and safety
  • Restructuring of enterprises, insolvency of the employer , transfer of undertakings
  • Posting of workers
  • Protection of motherhood
  • Protection of young people at work
  • Recognition of higher education diplomas and professional education and training
  • Working time
  • Information and consultation of workers
  • Employment  policies
• Social policy: social security
  • Social security schemes and coordination
  • Supplementary pension rights
  • The Open Method of coordination
• The International Labour Organization (ILO) and the International Social Security Agency (ISSA)

Entry requirements

A general interest in Europe, law and social policy will help the student to understand the ongoing changes in the European Union with regard to social policy.

Teaching method

The course will be offered in the form of lectures in which students will be given the opportunity to interact through discussions. Cases and texts will be discussed. A seminar will be organised at the EU Commission in Brussels and at the ILO in Geneva in order to enable the students to learn the policy mechanisms.

Assessment

The assessment is based upon an examination (written).

Course material

• A syllabus based on powerpoint presentations
• Additional material (through Toledo-blackboard and websites). These materials contain: background documents and ECJ case law.