Perspective. An ecological bifurcation needs a renewed social dialogue and new rules on the labour market

Summary

This article explores the idea that a sustainable commitment to an ecological bifurcation requires that political democracy and an enlarged and renewed social dialogue be harnessed to support it, and that this process needs to be connected to a profound transformation of labour market functioning in Europe. The argument proceeds in three stages. First, we take a theoretical perspective, broadening the discussion by focusing on workers’ ‘real’ freedom, as well as on the old and new forms of scarcity facing our societies. Second, we examine how ecological issues and players are currently being introduced into existing social dialogue, and show that to date this process, while multi-sided and pervasive, has failed to meet the challenge. Finally, we discuss some major transformations that are needed if workers’ emancipation and the ecological bifurcation or transition are to be mutually supportive.