Transformation in the social function of Labour Law

The aims of this study are to identify the social functions of labour law and to evaluate the current discussions related with this functions. For this reason, the emergence and development periods of labour law are examined, later, current developments of labour law are discussed. The chosen methodology has required the economic, politic and legal developments on the background of labour law handled.It is known that labour law has a history of two hundred years. In the historical development of labour law the factors such as the transformation of economic structure in West Europe, the emergence of mercantilism, French Revolution, the emergence of Industrial Revolution, the development and criticism of liberal economiz thought, 1929 Economic Depression, Keynesian economic politics, the economic expansion which has emerged after the 2. World War, the political compromise which is again at that period maintained, the second structual crisis which has appeared 1970?s, neo-liberal economic thought?s gaining credit, the development of flexible production organisations, the formation of a new kind of political compromise concerning first the market?s requirements are accepted as explanatory and in this study these factor abovementioned are tried to be interpreted.The study has reached at a conclusion that labour law has three main classical functions which can be named as preserving the social order, protecting the workers and keeping the working peace. Current developments related to flexibility, creating jobs and joining the management in labour law has brought about the discussions on the classical functions of labour law. The conclusion the study reached at is that although labour law has turned into new forms, the classical social functions of labour law has regressed.