ESeC: the European Union's Socio-economic Classification project

The European Socio-economic Classification (ESeC) project—one of the European Union’s harmonization initiatives—is based on the International Standard Classification of Occupations (ISCO). Inspired by Goldthorpe’s theoretical framework, which focuses on “employment relations,” ESeC has been shaped most notably by studies undertaken in the United Kingdom. Both professional statisticians and academics have voiced criticisms of the project in recent years. Because of these developments, the future of the French classification of occupations and socio-occupational categories (PCS) needs to be reconsidered in a new light.