Labour Law – Key Vocabulary

A set of vocabulary flashcards summarizing essential terms, institutions, and conventions discussed in the lecture on Labour Law.

Labour Law

The body of rules that governs the relationship between employees and employers, establishing rights, duties, and protections at work.

Collective Labour Law

Branch of labour law that regulates interactions among employers, employees, and trade unions, including collective bargaining and industrial action.

Individual Labour Law

Branch of labour law that sets the rights and obligations of a single employee and employer under an employment contract.

Employment Contract

A legally binding agreement under which an employee performs work under the direction of an employer in exchange for remuneration.

Collective Agreement

A contract negotiated between one or more trade unions and one or more employers that sets terms and conditions of employment for a group of workers.

Trade Union

An organization formed by workers to protect their interests, bargain collectively, and promote labour rights.

Industrial Relations

The system of relationships among employees, employers, and unions, often regulated by labour law.

Employment Standards

Minimum statutory conditions regarding holidays, leave, working hours, dismissal procedures, and other basic rights.

Minimum Wage

The lowest hourly, daily, or monthly wage that employers may legally pay to workers.

Working Hours

Legally regulated maximum hours of work and required rest periods to protect workers’ health and safety.

Occupational Health and Safety

Regulations and services aimed at preventing workplace accidents, injuries, and illness, especially in hazardous industries.

Social Security

Public or mandatory schemes providing income security for risks such as sickness, old age, unemployment, maternity, and disability.

Industrial Revolution

18th–19th-century economic shift to factory production that created new labour conditions and prompted early labour regulation.

Liberal-Individualistic Law

Pre-labour-law approach emphasizing freedom of contract and minimal state interference, often leaving workers unprotected.

Labour Movement

Collective social and political effort by workers to improve wages, conditions, and rights, leading to modern labour legislation.

State Intervention

Government action through legislation or enforcement to regulate employment relationships and protect workers.

Weimar Constitution (1919)

First European constitution to explicitly enshrine specific labour rights, influencing later labour-law development.

International Labour Organization (ILO)

UN specialized agency (founded 1919) that sets international labour standards and promotes decent work worldwide.

Freedom of Association and Protection of the Right to Organize Convention, 1948

ILO convention guaranteeing workers and employers the right to form and join organizations without prior authorization.

Right to Organize and Collective Bargaining Convention, 1949

ILO convention protecting unions from anti-union discrimination and interference, and promoting collective bargaining.

Forced Labour Convention, 1930

ILO convention requiring the suppression of all forms of forced or compulsory labour, with limited exceptions.

Abolition of Forced Labour Convention, 1957

ILO convention prohibiting forced labour for political coercion, punishment for opinions, or discrimination.

Discrimination (Employment and Occupation) Convention, 1958

ILO convention calling for elimination of discrimination in employment and occupation on grounds such as race or sex.

Equal Remuneration Convention, 1951

ILO convention mandating equal pay for men and women for work of equal value.

Minimum Age Convention, 1973

ILO convention aiming to abolish child labour by setting a minimum age for employment not lower than school-leaving age.

ILO Declaration on Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work, 1998

Commitment by ILO members to respect freedom of association, eliminate forced and child labour, and end workplace discrimination.

International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights

UN treaty recognizing labour-related rights such as fair wages, safe conditions, and the right to unionize.

International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights

UN treaty protecting civil freedoms that underpin labour rights, including freedom of association.

Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination (1969)

UN convention requiring states to abolish racial discrimination, including in employment.

Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (1979)

UN treaty guaranteeing women equal rights at work and in society.

Convention on the Rights of the Child (1989)

UN treaty obliging states to protect children from economic exploitation and hazardous work.

Sole Proprietorship

Business form where the owner and business are legally the same, making the owner personally liable for business debts.

Employment Agency Contract

Arrangement where an agency is the legal employer and assigns workers to user companies, with specific rights and obligations.

Temporary Labour Contract

Fixed-term employment agreement with a defined start and end date, subject to statutory content and limits.

Permanent Labour Contract

Open-ended employment agreement that continues until terminated by notice, dismissal permit, or court decision.

Dutch Constitution

Foundational legal source that, together with civil law and acts, underpins employment law in the Netherlands.

Collective Labour Agreement (Netherlands)

Binding Dutch accord between employers and unions setting sector-wide or company-specific employment conditions.

EU Labour Law

Body of EU directives and regulations that set minimum standards for employment conditions across member states.

Directive (EU)

EU legislative act requiring member states to achieve certain labour-law results while allowing national implementation methods.

Work-Life Balance

EU policy area promoting measures such as parental leave and flexible work to reconcile work and family life.

Informing and Consulting Employees

EU requirement that employers consult workers on collective redundancies, transfers, and significant workplace changes.

Employment Conditions

Core aspects of work such as hours, rest periods, leave, and prohibition of child labour.

Wages Protection

Legal rules preventing unlawful deductions, ensuring timely payment, and safeguarding workers’ earnings.

Fringe Benefits

Non-wage compensation such as health insurance, pensions, or allowances provided in addition to salary.

Notice of Termination

Legally prescribed advance warning period that an employer or employee must give before ending an employment contract.