This article provides a comparative study of the labour market and social policy measures introduced in light of the COVID-19 crisis in Denmark, France, Germany, Italy and the United Kingdom between March 2020 and January 2021. Its main aim is to understand whether the crisis response has changed the structures of the welfare states concerned. Focusing in particular on the differences regarding the crisis measures taken for individuals in ‘standard employment’ and ‘non-standard workers’ in each country, it argues that, although extensive temporary protection instruments were introduced for both groups during the crisis, these did not lead to an immediate convergence as regards these groups’ social protection. Rather than changing the underlying structures of welfare systems, many of the measures in fact highlighted the specific vulnerabilities of large segments of Europe’s labour markets. States have, however, granted social compensation at unprecedented levels, which could result in improved infrastructures and a clearer understanding of the responsibility of the welfare state in future emergencies.
Le droit social, en tant que cadre normatif des politiques sociales, a connu un développement spectaculaire depuis la fin de la Seconde Guerre mondiale. En Allemagne, le besoin d’un traitement scientifique de la matière conduisit à la création, il y a quarante ans précisément, d’un Institut Max-Planck consacré au « droit social étranger et international ». Pourquoi le choix d’un institut en dehors des universités ? Quels sont les apports et les influences de cet institut en matière de droit social comparé ? Le présent article cherche à dresser un bilan – provisoire – des travaux de l’Institut qui semblent avoir utilement contribué à la fondation du droit social comparé comme discipline scientifique en Allemagne. Par sa structure et sa méthode, l’Institut, tout en étant perçu par le public extérieur comme un point d’information et de contact, cherche à explorer des terrains moins connus et complète ainsi la recherche universitaire dans le paysage scientifique.
The COVID-19 crisis is changing our world. The measures taken to tackle it have not only led to restrictions of freedom and temporary social isola tion. They have also plunged the global economy into a deep recession. Even if its extent cannot yet be predicted 1 -it will leave deep scars.Deliveries are cancelled at short notice, production comes to a standstill, and the demand for products and services suddenly stops. Companies and self-employed persons are affected in different ways. While -as in most cri sis situations -some even benefit from it, others are left without a job and income overnight. In any case, the measures taken to fight the pandemic will only be temporary, even if the process may take longer than many expected when the measures were first implemented, and the economy and society will recover. What the long-term repercussions of the interim shutdowns will be and what the 'New Normal' will look like is hardly foreseeable today. Nevertheless, in times of crisis it is an obvious strategy not to leave the economy to its own devices, but to maintain instead capacities and to ensure that they can be used again later. However, this can be pursued in different ways and with various degrees of vehemence. In this respect, the corona crisis is no different from any other economic slumps triggered by external shocks.A look at the development of the unemployment rate before, during and after the financial crisis of 2008, which is shown below, is revealing: The curves can be seen as symbolising different social policy approaches. I.1.
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