Occupational Welfare Arrangements Negotiated at the Transnational Level

Abstract

This paper discusses the role of European social dialogue in the establishment of occupational welfare arrangements at the transnational level. In the first part, dedicated to the definition of the key concepts, it is argued that occupational welfare should be framed into the flexicurity context; hence, the analysis of occupational welfare schemes permits the shedding of light on certain characteristics of the flexicurity approach, especially as long as the conditions for the pursuit of ‘high road’ policies is concerned. In the second part, building on the findings of an international research project coordinated by the author, a sample of transnational texts that contain provisions dedicated to occupational welfare is presented, with the aim of explaining whether and under what conditions European social dialogue can be mobilised as a regulatory resource for the implementation of occupational welfare policies linking, from a ‘high road’ perspective, flexibility and competitiveness-oriented strategies with the protection of workers' needs.