R. Blanpain

The treaty needs to be amended

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The European social model (ESM): myth or reality?

‘the European social model is first and foremost a question of values. Whatever European social system we examine we find the common values of equality and solidarity and redistribution as fundamentals, with universal, free or cheap access to education and health care, and a variety of other public services as the right of a citizen and as essential to creating the basis for a successful modern economy and a fair society. it is in this respect that our European model differs from the us model for instance.

Freedom of Services in the EU: A Social Catastrophe? are There Lessons to Be Learned from the Belgian Experience?

Thanks to our open European labour market, foreign companies, often coming from other Eu member states, including temporary agencies and self-employed service providers, are massively present on our labour markets. This is a good thing, as difficult to fill in jobs are indeed filled in. But in quite a number of cases, fiscal and social fraud are omni-present. Employers who want to live up to national laws regarding labour and social security are priced out of the market. This dishonest competition is a catastrophe for our national labour markets and social security. control of these illegal activities is difficult due to a lack of information concerning the foreign actors and diligent cooperation between the social inspections of various Eu member states. urgent measures are necessary to guarantee the maintenance of bona fide enterprises, employment and the respect of wagesworking conditions and social security of the member states.