Research Freek Louckx

Abstract

This research project examines the role of the EU in regulating the determinants of the gendered care gap, thereby facilitating the normalization of equal sharing of domestic care duties and equal opportunities on the labour market. The gendered care gap refers to women on average earning less than their male counterparts, being more likely to hold part-time jobs or be overqualified for their functions and having less personal time. Meanwhile, men have less opportunity to take on care duties to the same degree as women due to discrimination and social stigma, and ultimately, domestic policy models and legislative approaches. In response, the EU has introduced the Work-Life Balance Directive which establishes minimum standards for paternity and parental leave and provides the right to request flexible work arrangements. This project seeks to establish a comprehensive legal framework for evaluating the extent to which the Directive effectively has addressed the redistribution of care duties in domestic legislation and in practice. This entails the establishment of a typology of domestic legislative approaches towards the facilitation of equality in care sharing in Europe, allowing for cross-disciplinary dialogue on the matter, which currently is lacking. Furthermore, the identification of a typology would give insight into the effectiveness of the different models identified, and possibly detect the blueprint for legislative determinants of greater care sharing equality.

Researcher(s)

• Promoter: Louckx Freek
• Fellow: Suorsa Heidi

Research team(s)

• Government and Law

Project type(s)

• Research Project

Abstract

This research focuses on the health effects of PFAS and associated costs, such as medical costs, loss of labour productivity and loss of quality of life. The relevant costs are mapped and the ways in which extra-contractual liability law allows to compensate such costs are examined. Taking into account the obstacles the application of liability law may entail in this context, the study also examines how compensation funds can compensate claimants in an alternative way. In the light of all these findings, ideas are formulated on how to organise the compensation of health damage caused by PFAS in Flanders.This research is part of an inter-university project in which epidemiologists, health economists and legal experts together examine how to tackle PFAS exposure in Flanders.

Researcher(s)

• Promoter: Louckx Freek
• Co-promoter: Weyts Britt

Research team(s)

• Government and Law

Project type(s)

• Research Project

Abstract

From a policy point of view, further European integration in the field of health care is advocated. But in order to make that shift, a thorough understanding of the existing similarities between the health care systems organized by the Union Member States is required. Unfortunately, however, that insight has not yet been provided by scientific research: a fundamental legal scientific study exploring the common legal bases of European health care systems and the shared patterns in the legal organization of those systems, is currently lacking. This research aims to reveal the common legal architecture of European health care systems. To that end it focuses on the examination of two research questions, namely (1) the question whether there is a common core of fundamental legal standards that found the organization of the existing European health care systems and (2) the question whether there is a shared pattern in the structuring legal intervention by which the European Member States organize those systems. By answering those questions through fundamental legal research, we aim to close the gap in the scientific literature and shed new light on the organization of the European health care systems. In addition this research also aims to provide a more far-reaching social added value, for policy, the development of Union law and legal practice. The methodology that will be used to carry out this research is based on three principles: (1) the subject is addressed from a human-rights perspective, (2) the relevant data are collected and analyzed in accordance with the principles of legal positivism, and (3) the comparative method is used to draw conclusions from the analysis. These principles find expression in the various stages of the research, in which we will answer systematically the higher mentioned research questions.

Researcher(s)

• Promoter: Louckx Freek

Research team(s)

• Government and Law

Project type(s)

• Research Project

Abstract

This study is a comparative analysis on access to social protection for employees and self-employed in Belgium, in the light of the Council Recommendation of 8 November 2019 regarding access to social protection for employees and the self-employed (2019 / C 387/01). Particular attention is paid to the similarities and differences in formal coverage, effective coverage, adequacy of benefits and the transparency of the relevant social security schemes. Targeted policy recommendations are formulated to remedy differences in treatment found to be problematic in the aforementioned areas.

Researcher(s)

• Promoter: Louckx Freek
• Co-promoter: Cantillon Bea

Research team(s)

• Government and Law

Project type(s)

• Research Project