Regulated deregulation - an option for Central and Eastern Europe

Abstract

This contribution assesses the process of deregulation as it has taken place to date in the most important countries of Central and Eastern Europe (CEECs), with special reference to the social and labour components of the process and to trade union and indutrial relations developments. In the first instance, the authors employ descriptors appropriate for examination bf any system of labour relations, namely, solidarity and social justice; the bargaining culture inherited by the trade unions and their role as intermediary organisations and structures for the balancing of interests within society. Subsequently, in a second stage, an attempt is made to describe certain strategic areas for trade union policy in which appropriate action would best enable a comprehensive modernisation of labour relations, while at the same time maximising the CEECs' opportunities for integration within a future united Europe. The areas described are: the demise of the Fordist approach to labour via a process of systematic rationalisation; an integrated policy of poverty relief and social welfare; the shift towards a workplace-oriented trade union and collective bargaining policy; and the challenge facing the trade unions of organising the recruitment of new highly qualified and, in many cases, strongly individualised groups of workers, the "winners" of transformation, particularly those workers employed in the newly set up "joint ventures" . The name given to the approach thus described is the path of "regulated deregulation".