Ireland. An illusion of growth in the face of the pandemic
Noélie DELAHAIE
As Ireland, along with the rest of the world, faced the Covid-19 pandemic, it was the only European Union member state to record positive growth in 2020. This is first and foremost linked to the dynamism of the pharmaceutical and information technology sectors, dominated by foreign multinationals which have thrived during the health crisis. However, an analysis of the drivers of this growth reveals that the benefits do not accrue to Irish residents, highlighting the need for a debate on corporate taxation.
Keywords: Ireland, growth indicators, multinationals, tax system.
United Kingdom. Covid-19 and labour market inequality
Jacques FREYSSINET
The experiences of the Covid-19 pandemic illustrate the complexity of the relationships between employment policy and the development of inequality in the labour market. Employment policy replicates and often amplifies existing disparities or causes new ones to appear. The growth of these hinges mainly on the structure of jobs and the sociodemographic characteristics of individuals. The result is inequality in employment income or in replacement income for loss of employment, as well as the ampli-fication of extreme poverty.
Keywords: United Kingdom, Covid-19, employment policy, labour market, inequality, disparities, poverty.
Germany. Bolstering family benefit schemes during the health crisis: objectives, consequences and issues
Jeanne FAGNANI
From the start of the health crisis, the German government deployed an impressive battery of measures to help families with children, in particular those with working parents. The backdrop to the issues at hand is one of a dearth of qualified staff and a persistently low birth rate. This health crisis has once again drawn attention to the considerable labour market disparities between the sexes.
Keywords: Germany, Covid-19, families, birth rate, labour market, income.
International. The stagnation of transnational company agreements and regression of European agreements
Udo REHFELDT
The momentum of transnational company agreements hit its peak in 2008. Since then, international agreements have been seen to stagnate, and European agreements to run out of steam. This article analyses the determining factors of these dynamics in French and German businesses, using the strategies and practices of the players as a starting point. It reveals the role of entrustment procedures adopted by European and international union federations.
Keywords: transnational company, transnational company agreement, European framework agreement, international framework agreement, European union federation, international union federation, European works council, entrustment procedure.