Kountouros, Haris --- "‘Quality in Work’ After the Lisbon Strategy: Is There a Future?" [2011] ELECD 883; in Moreau, Marie-Ange (ed), "Before and After the Economic Crisis" (Edward Elgar Publishing, 2011)

Book Title: Before and After the Economic Crisis

Editor(s): Moreau, Marie-Ange

Publisher: Edward Elgar Publishing

ISBN (hard cover): 9781849809924

Section: Chapter 4

Section Title: ‘Quality in Work’ After the Lisbon Strategy: Is There a Future?

Author(s): Kountouros, Haris

Number of pages: 14

Extract:

4. `Quality in work' after the Lisbon
Strategy: is there a future?
Haris Kountouros*

The failure of the Lisbon Strategy to achieve the objectives it set a decade
ago, coupled with the continuing socio-economic crisis engulfing Europe,
raises a serious question as to the future of the European social model.
A significant element of this model relates to `quality in work', a multi-
dimensional concept which formed one of the specific objectives of the
strategy. What lessons can we draw from the failure of the Lisbon Strategy
and what can be the prospects for quality in work after Lisbon? Amidst
the crisis, is there any scope for regulatory instruments aiming at better
jobs and, if so, on what principles should these be based? Relatedly, does
Lisbon have anything still to offer in this respect?


QUALITY IN WORK WITHIN THE LISBON MODEL

In March 2000 the European Council's summit in Lisbon set out political
directions for the development of a comprehensive framework of policies
and measures involving a range of domestic and supranational actors in
a strategy which would aim to make the Union by 2010 the `most com-
petitive and dynamic knowledge-based economy in the world, capable of
sustainable economic growth with more and better jobs and greater social
cohesion'.1 The specific objectives of the three main polices involved ­
economic, employment and social ­ were to be promoted on the basis of a
triadic model underpinned by `quality'.2 The strategy was to be deployed
using legislation, ...