Economics of the Services Directive
TUC Assessment, November 2005
Introduction
The Services Directive has proved one the more controversial proposals from the European Commission in recent years. Trade union and others have voiced their concerns that the Directive will undermine employment standards and threaten public services. The economic case for and against the Directive has featured much less in the public debate. In this assessment we look at the claims being made and how they stack up against the evidence. Our view is that the economic case for the Directive in its current form has not been made. It is disproportionate to the problem it is trying to address. Our key conclusion is that Europe does not have a general economic problem with excessive product market regulation that is the central justification for the Directive. The specific issues that remain should be addressed through more targeted and appropriate solutions through sector agreements, harmonization of qualifications and standards, and action at national level.
FULL REPORT:
Erste kritische Anmerkungen zur Kommissions-Studie: „Economic Assessment of the Barriers to the Internal Market for Services“, Final Report, Copenhagen Economics, January 2005 im Auftrag der EU-Kommission, Helmut Gahleitner/Werner Raza, BAK Büro Brüssel und AK Wien
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