European Union. The European Artificial Intelligence Act: what role can social dialogue and trade unions play?
Odile CHAGNY
The European Artificial Intelligence (AI) Act establishes a strict legal framework for AI systems, with an approach centred on the product and the risks. While not aimed at the world of employment, it covers a number of systems which do have an impact on it, particularly HR systems, considered to be at high risk. It recognizes few rights for worker representatives, but opens up a number of levers for them through information and training, which they may seize, alongside those provided by the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and the Employment code.
Keywords: European Union, European Act, artificial intelligence (AI), HR system, social dialogue, trade union.
European Union. Dividends from war... but for whom?
Claude SERFATI
In an international context subject to considerable change since the end of the 2000s, this article analyses the « Rearm Europe » programme proposed by the European Commission in March 2025, in response to the surge in conflicts. The article critically analyses the arguments in support of it, in terms of growth, technological dynamism and employment. It analyses the considerable increase in French military spending announced under this programme by Emmanuel Macron, the industrial and workforce challenges posed by it as well as the gloomy social outlook heralded by it.
Keywords: European Union, Rearm Europe, conflict, military spending, social spending.
United States. The dismantling of the federal public service and the main administrations
Catherine SAUVIAT
Since coming into power in January 2025, Donald Trump has launched into dismantling the federal public service, a task he has entrusted to Elon Musk, nominated, to that end, to head up the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). He also signed an executive order revoking the collective bargaining rights of around a million federal employees working in certain specifically targeted federal agencies. Despite the strong presence of trade unions in the federal public sector compared with the private sector, the unions are struggling to counter effectively, beyond contesting these decisions before the courts.
Keywords: United States, federal public service, Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), collective bargaining, trade union.
Japan. The traditional model of the housewife versus women's aspirations of jobs and equality of opportunity
Hiromasa SUZUKI
With the aim of creating universal retirement pension coverage, the great reform of 1985 established the status of « economically dependent married woman » granting all housewives the right to a retirement pension. But the role of women has evolved considerably in the last 40 years, particularly due to the growth of jobs occupied by women and the spread of the idea of equality of opportunity. This status is now the subject of debate between supporters of abolishing or amending this status and supporters of the status quo.
Keywords: Japan, pensions, economically dependent married woman, women's employment, equality of opportunity.