Institutional changes in Labour Markets of EU Countries in the Conditions of Global Recession

Years 2008-2012 is the time when the economic policy led by EU members was influenced by the consequences of the world crisis. Many countries decided to undertake revision or to carry out reforms in labour market. Institutional changes applied mainly to employment protection legislation, unemployment benefits and collective bargaining. To some extent it is possible to indicate some main directions of these changes. After year 2008 there was a tendency to reduce the protection of the employees on permanent contracts against layoffs whereas temporary workers were more protected. Payment period of the doles for unemployed was relatively stable, in some countries it was shortened. Financial incentives to employ unemployed retained their drawbacks and weaknesses. In the area of collective negotiations there was a visible real decentralization, in some countries social dialogue resulted in alliances against the effects of the crisis