European Union Legislation Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

European Union Legislation - Essay Example According to the report findings European social model has been directed toward new investments in the skills of Europeans so they will be able to compete more efficiently in national and global labor market. According to Barcelona European Council, sound social, policy is based upon several elements: economic performance, steadfast social protection and social dialogue. The welfare state should induce its citizens to work as the work according to the statements of Barcelona Council is the best guarantee of social participation. As the paper stresses many aspects of the social policy are defined by individual states: the question is whether it is possible to establish effective common social policy of the European Union. As the Union consists of many nations with various historic past and consequently different economic and social conditions, it is imperative to take into account these differences in the developing of social policy of the European countries, however at the same time some basic common social standards that must be followed by all European members are also required, as these states face many common social problems as well. Ageing of the population. Some persons claim that it is one of the greatest social challenges that EU countries currently face. European countries try to resolve these problems by implementing new programs aimed to increase labor participation of older people and reforming new social protection legislations. In spite of the fact that EU countries are trying to promote active ageing of its workforce, (attracting more people to enter and stay in employment) recent protests in several EU countries show that this decision will not be accepted universally. As population of EU continue to grow and fewer younger workers will be entering labor market, another possibility of resolving this crisis-immigration is being studied. However, in order to be successful more active approach is needed as EU still lacks common immigration policy as well. With high level of emigration from new EU countries, this problem has been partly resolved in few states with booming economies such as UK and Ireland. Social rights of migrant workers, who work in various countries have been protected by Regulation 1408/ 71 and 574/72. 3 In order to resolve the second problem, European Social Fund has been created. The main goal of this fund is to increase participation rates of population in labor markets in various countries.4 However, one should take into account the fact that regulations mentioned do not substitute national ones, but rather coordinate them. All nations have right to determine specific elements of their national social systems, provided that they are based on the equality of the treatment and non discrimination approach. EC treaty provides several levels of legislation aimed to guarantee equal treatments of all persons- men and women in the labor market, assure anti-discrimination approach, facilitate free movement of people and protect workers from various hazardous working conditions as well as provide them with detailed information on various