The gender implications of labour market policy during the transformation and EU accession. A comparison of the Czech Republic, Hungary and Slovenia

In this article we compare the models of economic transition that have influenced changes in legislation and employment andsocial policies and have an impact on gender equality in the labour markets of three post-socialist countries during the period ofeconomic transition and accession to the EU (2000-2005) – Czech Republic, Hungary and Slovenia. We argue that the promise for gender equality has not been realised because of the formal approach to the EU accession process in these countries. We assume that the position of men and women in labour markets is influenced by three interrelated factors that differ in the three countries: 1. the gender structure of the labour market; 2. mechanisms for the reconciliation of work and the family; and 3. changes in the institutional and legislative framework and employment policies.