COMPTRASEC

The Centre for Comparative Labour and Social Security Law (Comptrasec) was founded in 1982 at Bordeaux IV University. The centre is now part of Montesquieu-Bordeaux IV University. It is a joint Research Unit operated by the University and the Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS - National Scientific Research Centre). COMPTRASEC also belongs to the Groupement de Droit Comparé (Comparative Law Group).

Comptrasec’s main objective is to foster comparative research in the field of labour law, labour relations, and social protection. Priority research themes include new and changing aspects of social protection (social and professional integration/health-safety : work and environment/ageing : social risk and employment issues/family situations: generating and denying social rights), as well as trends and challenges in regulation (the emergence of social law related to globalisation/mobility, with its attendant rights and freedoms/multiple forms of social dialogue/and the diversification of disputes and settlement procedures).

Comptrasec is actively involved in European and international research networks and cooperation with other university centres of excellence. The centre maintains privileged relations with many key institutions, including the International Labour Organization, the European Commission, the French ministries in charge of research, employment, and social affairs, and the Conseil Régional d’Aquitaine (Aquitaine Regional Council).

Courses include three Master II diplomas: "Social law, specialising in research", "Labour relations law, specialising in professional applications" and "Management of Social Welfare Organisations, specialising in professional applications", the Comptrasec also organises research seminars, comparative law study days, and international symposia. The unit also publishes a biannual "Comparative labour and social security law review".