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September 1999

• 28 Sep 1999
  Austria: Dispute highlights position of works councils<#PDF_LINK>

  A public dispute between the Magna automotive components firm and the trade unions over summer 1999 has led to increased attention being paid to the existence and role of works councils in Austria and on the unions' (limited) power to instal works councils.

• 28 Sep 1999
  Austria: Low-key week of action over harmonisation<#PDF_LINK>

  In September 1999, Austria's ÖGB trade union confederation organised a week of action over the harmonisation of the legal position of wage earners and salary earners, which it has made its top priority. The actions received little attention.

• 28 Sep 1999
  Austria: Autumn 1999 pay round starts<#PDF_LINK>

  During autumn 1999, the wage and salary increases for about 1.25 million Austrian employees - about 40% of the total - are to be negotiated. Moderate increases above inflation are expected.

• 28 Sep 1999
  Belgium: Social partners respond to criticism of low employment rate for older workers<#PDF_LINK>

  In September 1999, the European Commission's review of Member States' employment policies drew attention to Belgium's low rate of employment among workers aged over 55. This view has been supported by the FEB/VBO employers' organisation, but challenged by the FGTB/ABVV trade union confederation.

• 28 Sep 1999
  Belgium: Strike at Carnoy highlights threat to status of protected employees<#PDF_LINK>

  In September 1999, striking workers at the Belgian metal pipe manufacturer Carnoy called off their action after seven weeks, though with relatively little enthusiasm: only 58% voted in favour of a compromise proposed by an independent negotiator. The company's management took a tough stand in this conflict by instigating unilateral legal proceedings to have the strike declared illegal and bringing in a helicopter to fly non-striking employees into work. The trade unions' main claim was that the principle of employment protection for shop stewards and the right to strike were being violated.

• 28 Sep 1999
  Germany: Dispute over extension of collective agreements in the building industry<#PDF_LINK>

  In August 1999, the German Federal Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs issued a directive which declares new collectively agreed minimum wages for construction workers to be "generally binding" - ie applying also to non-organised and to foreign employees and employers in the industry. The Confederation of German Employers' Associations regards this move as unconstitutional, because it circumvents the traditional legal procedure for the extension of collective agreements.

• 28 Sep 1999
  Germany: Personnel issues examined at Deutsche Bahn AG<#PDF_LINK>

  In September 1999, Germany's Deutsche Bahn (DB) railway company presented a report on the personnel and social issues which have arisen in the privatisation process since 1994. DB's substantial workforce reductions have been criticised by the rail workers' union GdED.

• 28 Sep 1999
  Germany: Unions make positive assessment of transnational coordination of bargaining policy<#PDF_LINK>

  In September 1999, Belgian, Dutch, German and Luxembourg trade unions met in the German city of Haltern in order to evaluate their recent collective bargaining rounds. With average annual wage increase ranging from 2.6% to 3.1% in 1999, all the countries involved conformed to the bargaining guidelines set out in the unions' "Doorn declaration" in 1998.

• 28 Sep 1999
  Denmark: LO report recommends that Denmark should join EMU<#PDF_LINK>

  A report on "Jobs and the single currency", published in September 1999 by Denmark's LO trade union confederation, recommends that Denmark should join the third stage of EU Economic and Monetary Union (EMU) and foresees that EMU could in the long term force a European harmonisation and coordination of collective bargaining demands, a development which has already started. The LO report will play a central part in the forthcoming debate about Denmark's participation in EMU. The report counters a number of claims from EMU sceptics, but even hardcore EMU supporters find it hard to face the fact that a "yes" to integration could mean a surrender of sovereignty.

• 28 Sep 1999
  Denmark: Considerable discrepancies identified in state subsidies for training<#PDF_LINK>

  Danish companies have access to a particularly generous system of adult and further training courses and, in tripartite negotiations which begin in September 1999, the government and trade unions want to revise those parts of the state subsidised system that are thought to benefit individual companies more than society. The talks are based on a comprehensive government report which aims to help early school-leavers and strengthen courses which lead to qualifications. The negotiations may lead to a conflict with long-standing business interests.

• 28 Sep 1999
  Denmark: Privatisation leads to disputes between unions<#PDF_LINK>

  Privatisation and contracting out of public services and a freeze on the employment of public servants have blurred the previous demarcation lines between Danish trade unions. Traditionally public sector union have begun to organise more private sector employees, causing discord and demarcation disputes in the LO confederation. Autumn 1999 saw new developments in areas such as postal services, bus transport and the railways.

• 28 Sep 1999
  Denmark: Confederation of Danish Industries wants flexible working hours<#PDF_LINK>

  In September 1999, the Confederation of Danish Industries (DI) highlighted the eagerness of its member companies to make more use of working time flexibility. The industry sector's current collective agreement allows for the averaging out of weekly hours over a year, if this is agreed locally by management and employees. This requirement for a local agreement has contributed to the fact that only 15% of companies have introduced such a scheme, according to DI. CO-Industri, DI's trade union counterpart, disagrees.

• 28 Sep 1999
  Denmark: LO and DA conclude anti-dispute agreement<#PDF_LINK>

  In September 1999, Denmark's DA employers' confederation and LO trade union confederation reached a framework agreement on the conduct of the 2000 collective bargaining round, with the aim of avoiding a repetition of the major dispute in 1998. The agreement, while maintaining the right of individual member organisations to decentralised negotiations, seeks to to support and coordinate developments. Meanwhile, the Minister of Labour has responded positively to a request from DA and LO to change the legal rules, in order to give the parties five days to renegotiate before a dispute breaks out, where a proposed settlement is rejected by their members, instead of the present three days.

• 28 Sep 1999
  Spain: Contradictory tendencies in collective bargaining on working time<#PDF_LINK>

  In 1998, working time was a major topic of debate among Spain's social partners. However, statistics on 1998's collective bargaining on working hours, published by the Economic and Social Council in summer 1999, reveal no great surprises and a few contradictory tendencies.

• 28 Sep 1999
  Spain: Systems for resolving labour conflicts out of court are consolidated<#PDF_LINK>

  Since 1998, systems for jointly resolving labour conflicts out of court created by the social partners have progressed greatly in Spain, helping promote a framework of industrial relations founded less on the courts and more on collective autonomy. As well as the SIMA national joint dispute-resolution body, by autumn 1999, all but one of Spain's 17 autonomous communities had their own regional body.

• 28 Sep 1999
  Spain: Collective bargaining makes progress<#PDF_LINK>

  In the first six months of 1999, collective bargaining progressed well in Spain, according to figures from the CC.OO trade union confederation, though greater success has been achieved in revising agreements than in reaching new ones. Wage moderation has prevailed, and the agreements contain more clauses on employment and on shorter working hours, though the reduction is moderate.

• 28 Sep 1999
  Spain: Caixa de Catalunya found guilty of indirect discrimination against women<#PDF_LINK>

  In summer 1999, the Social Division of the Spanish Supreme Court ratified a ruling by the Higher Court of Justice of Catalonia that found the Caixa de Catalunya savings bank guilty of indirect discrimination against women.

• 28 Sep 1999
  Spain: Tabacalera's industrial restructuring plan criticised<#PDF_LINK>

  The industrial restructuring plan announced in July 1999 by Tabacalera, the Spanish tobacco firm, will involve a reduction in the number of factories and a 15% reduction in the workforce. The plan has met with a negative response from the trade unions, the regions affected and the government.

• 28 Sep 1999
  Spain: Debate on minimum pensions intensifies<#PDF_LINK>

  The debate on the level of minimum pensions in Spain has been prominent during summer 1999. Pressure from trade unions and others to increase these pensions has been mounting against a background of some 3 million pensioners living below the poverty line. The issue is also important in the context of the forthcoming general election in spring 2000.

• 28 Sep 1999
  Spain: Social partners make proposals for 2000 state Budget<#PDF_LINK>

  Over August and September 1999, trade unions and employers aired their views on Spain's forthcoming state Budget for 2000. Employers' proposals included a call for a cut in social security contributions, while employers focused on issues such as unemployment cover and pension increases. The government has largely maintained its positions, though apparently some concessions will be made.

• 28 Sep 1999
  Spain: Unemployment protection for casual agricultural workers under debate<#PDF_LINK>

  Casual agricultural workers in Spain are covered by a separate system of unemployment protection. Trade union calls to include them in the general system have so far not borne fruit, and in spring and summer 1999, there have been mobilisations of agricultural workers in protest. The debate between supporters and detractors of a special protection regime for these workers has been reopened.

• 28 Sep 1999
  Spain: Still no sectoral agreement for savings banks<#PDF_LINK>

  In September 1999, after 20 months of bargaining, trade unions and employers in Spain's savings banks sector have still been unable to reach a new collective agreement.

• 28 Sep 1999
  EU Level: Commission assesses progress of employment strategy<#PDF_LINK>

  In September 1999, the European Commission published a package of key documents which complete a full cycle of the European employment strategy process. The draft Joint Employment Report 1999 reviews the progress made in the implementation of the 1999 Employment Guidelines and the impact on the Union's employment performance. The Commission also proposed that the Council of Ministers make a series of recommendations to individual Member States on the implementation of their employment policies, highlighting the areas where the Commission feels that certain - or all - Member States have not yet made sufficient progress in the implementation of the Guidelines. Finally, the Commission issued its draft Guidelines for 2000. As for 1999, these Guidelines emphasise continuity, while stressing that further emphasis should be placed on certain aspects such as adaptability and gender mainstreaming.

• 28 Sep 1999
  EU Level: Social dialogue takes shape in the European hairdressing sector<#PDF_LINK>

  A European-level sectoral social dialogue in the hairdressing sector got underway in September 1998. Since its inception, the social partners have carried out joint actions in the area of vocational training and have initiated joint studies to gain a better understanding of the profile of the sector across the European Union. Overall, the hairdressing dialogue has had a very active first year.

• 28 Sep 1999
  EU Level: Commission publishes its strategy for a Europe for all ages<#PDF_LINK>

  In May 1999, the European Commission published a Communication entitled "Towards a Europe for all ages - promoting prosperity and intergenerational solidarity". The document examines demographic trends and outlines the policies that the Commission feels need to be adopted in order to deal with the ageing of the European population.

• 28 Sep 1999
  EU Level: Commission publishes concerted strategy for modernising social protection<#PDF_LINK>

  In July 1999, the European Commission published a Communication on "A concerted strategy for modernising social protection". This new document follows on from the 1997 Communication on modernising social protection and outlines key challenges to EU social protection systems and the Commission's proposals for how Member States should address these issues.

• 28 Sep 1999
  EU Level: UNICE outlines its vision for social Europe beyond 2000<#PDF_LINK>

  In September 1999, the European employers' organisation UNICE presented its vision for social Europe in a report entitled "Releasing Europe's employment potential - companies' views on European social policy beyond 2000". In its document, UNICE calls for greater flexibility and respect for the principle of subsidiarity. The European Trade Union Confederation has called the paper "disappointing".

• 28 Sep 1999
  EU Level: International super-union on the way<#PDF_LINK>

  Following unanimous votes in favour by delegates at congresses of the Communications International (CI) and Media and Entertainment International (MEI) in September and October 1999, the stage is now set for the creation of an international trade union alliance of CI, MEI, the FIET white-collar and private sector service workers' union and the International Graphical Federation (IGF). The plan is to have Union Network International (UNI) in place for for the start of the new millennium.

• 28 Sep 1999
  EU Level: Transport unions organise day of action to underline lack of progress in working time debate<#PDF_LINK>

  The International Transport Workers' Federation (ITF), with the support of the European Transport Workers' Federation (ETF) organised an international day of action for 5 October 1999 to underline the lack of progress in the debate on drivers' working hours, both at European level and internationally. Under the banner "Fatigue kills", drivers across the world were due to protest to highlight the dangers of long working hours.

• 28 Sep 1999
  EU Level: Reduction of VAT on labour-intensive services agreed<#PDF_LINK>

  On 8 October 1999, EU Economic and Financial Affairs Ministers reached agreement on a Directive allowing Member States the option of cutting the VAT rate on certain labour-intensive services with the aim of creating employment. The list of services covered had been agreed at an informal ministerial meeting in September.

• 28 Sep 1999
  EU Level: Commission takes legal proceedings against seven Member States<#PDF_LINK>

  At the end of July 1999, the Commission decide to launch or pursue proceedings against a number of Member States in relation to their transposition of EU labour legislation. These relate primarily to uneven implementation of the pregnant workers' Directive, the Directive on minimum health and safety requirements applicable to the use of equipment by workers, the transfer of undertakings Directive and Directives on collective redundancies.

• 28 Sep 1999
  Finland: Wage earners' purchasing power has developed positively under incomes policy agreements<#PDF_LINK>

  In September 1999, the views of Finland's social partners over a possible new national incomes policy agreement were being sounded out. The willingness to conclude a new incomes policy deal may have been strengthened by the report of a tripartite fact-finding commission on the practical implementation of the last two incomes policy agreements, which finds that purchasing power has grown considerably faster than envisaged when the agreements were signed.

• 28 Sep 1999
  Finland: AKAVA aims at wide-ranging incomes policy agreement<#PDF_LINK>

  Finland's current two-year national incomes policy agreement expires in January 2000. The AKAVA trade union confederation, which represents professional staff, announced in September 1999 that it is seeking a new wide-ranging, two-year incomes policy solution which will strengthen the Finnish economy, promote employment and "coping" at work, and safeguard the positive development in employees' purchasing power of recent years.

• 28 Sep 1999
  Finland: Metalworkers' Union strongly advocates incomes policy agreement<#PDF_LINK>

  In September 1999, the Finnish Metalworkers' Union announced its aim of achieving a new incomes policy agreement to succeed the current national deal, which expires in January 2000. The union has threatened a general strike, if necessary, in the event that sector-specific problems in the forestry and chemical industries, which form an obstacle to reaching an overall national agreement, cannot be resolved.

• 28 Sep 1999
  France: Second 35-hour week bill reopens debate on unions' representative status<#PDF_LINK>

  By making state funding for working time reductions contingent upon a company agreement signed by majority trade unions or approval by a majority of the employees, France's draft bill for a second law on the 35-hour week - issued in summer 1999 - has brought the issue of unions' representative status to the fore. Unions are split over the law's provisions on this issue.

• 28 Sep 1999
  France: Managerial and professional staff and the 35-hour week<#PDF_LINK>

  France's second bill on the 35-hour week, under parliamentary discussion in autumn 1999, will exclude many managerial and professional staff from the regulations on the length of working time applicable to all employees. Their maximum working time will be expressed as 217 days per year, with few restrictions related to the number of hours worked. These measures have provoked heated responses from the trade unions, which suggests that a lively debate will ensue over this issue in parliament.

• 28 Sep 1999
  France: Unemployment falls sharply<#PDF_LINK>

  The reduction in the level of unemployment in France over the past two years accelerated during July 1999. This development has fuelled government optimism, but trade unions and employers' organisations were more varied in their reactions.

• 28 Sep 1999
  France: Employee hostility play part in failure of BNP-Société Générale merger<#PDF_LINK>

  In late August 1999, France's Credit Institution Council ruled against the attempt by the BNP banking group to merge with Société Générale. In addition to the position of the financial markets, the opposition of employees played a role in the Council's decision.

• 28 Sep 1999
  France: Report proposes new equality measures<#PDF_LINK>

  In September 1999, French MP Catherine Génisson submitted a report on equality between women and men at work, commissioned by the Prime Minister. The report, entitled "More mixing in the labour market for greater equality between men and women", advocates various measures to ensure "real equality."

• 28 Sep 1999
  France: MEDEF summer conference reiterates opposition to 35-hour week legislation<#PDF_LINK>

  At its first summer conference, held in early September 1999, France's MEDEF employers' organisation examined the major questions facing French society and restated its opposition to legislation implementing the 35-hour working week.

• 28 Sep 1999
  Greece: GSEE presents positions on pensions<#PDF_LINK>

  In early September 1999, the General Confederation of Greek Labour (GSEE) presented its positions on pensions. The trade unions downplay the importance of demographic trends, taken alone, and stress the importance of economic policy and renewal of the labour force.

• 28 Sep 1999
  Greece: GSEE proposes unemployment benefit increase<#PDF_LINK>

  In September 1999, Greece's GSEE trade union confederation presented a proposal calling for higher unemployment benefits. Despite legislative provisions that the daily rate of benefit should not fall below two-thirds of the average level of unskilled workers' wages, it is now worth less than half.

• 28 Sep 1999
  Greece: EKA demands additional measures for earthquake victims<#PDF_LINK>

  In view of the powerful earthquake that struck Athens on 7 September 1999, the Athens Labour Centre (EKA) has asked the government to take immediate steps to provide relief for victims' families as well as the homeless.

• 28 Sep 1999
  Ireland: The implications of the Employment Equality Act 1998<#PDF_LINK>

  Ireland's Employment Equality Act 1998, which came into force in October 1999, has been described as one of the most significant pieces of Irish employment legislation in the last 20 years. The Act outlaws discrimination on seven new grounds, in addition to those of gender and marital status. Single parents, gay people, older workers and those with disabilities are among those who should see their access to jobs and promotion opportunities improve once the Act takes effect. The Act also defines sexual harassment and harassment for the first time in Irish law. These provisions provide Ireland with one of the most far-reaching equality laws in Europe. However, the success of the new legislation in promoting equality will also be influenced by various social, political and economic factors, with initiatives within organisations continuing to be significant.

• 28 Sep 1999
  Ireland: Union secures Millennium pay deals in two main banks<#PDF_LINK>

  In autumn 1999, two of Ireland's main banks, Bank of Ireland and Ulster Bank, have concluded agreements on "Millennium payments" with the Irish Bank Officials' Association (IBOA), covering employees who are likely to work all or part of Millennium eve, 31 December 1999, and the subsequent weekend.

• 28 Sep 1999
  Ireland: Public sector pay claims may threaten social partnership<#PDF_LINK>

  In September 1999, with public sector employees rejecting a variety of pay offers well in excess of limits set under Ireland's current Partnership 2000 agreement, the consensus process which has been at the heart of the country's economic success for 13 years may be coming apart at the seams.

• 28 Sep 1999
  Italy: Use of temporary agency work increases sharply<#PDF_LINK>

  The first half of 1999 saw a substantial increase in the use of temporary agency work in Italy. Projections estimate that by the end of the year the number of temporary agency workers will stand at 200,000. Agency work is on the agenda of the social dialogue between the government and social partners in autumn 1999.

• 28 Sep 1999
  Italy: Op Computer declared bankrupt<#PDF_LINK>

  In September 1999, the closure was announced of Op Computer, an important Italian information technology company, created two years previously from a division of Olivetti. The courts decided not to grant any further reprieves to the company's management and declared the firm bankrupt. Workers then occupied the premises in protest.

• 28 Sep 1999
  Italy: New national agreement signed in commerce<#PDF_LINK>

  In September 1999, a new national collective agreement for the Italian commerce sector was signed. The agreement's provisions include: wage increases; a working time reduction linked to flexibility; new part-time work regulations; and new sickness and maternity leave regulations.

• 28 Sep 1999
  Italy: Virtual strike held at Meridiana airline<#PDF_LINK>

  In July 1999, during negotiations over the renewal of company agreements at the Meridiana airline, pilots and flight attendants staged Italy's first "virtual strike". During the four-hour "virtual strike", the employees worked as usual but without being paid, while Meridiana undertook to donate the receipts from the flights involved to humanitarian organisations. However, this use of such alternative forms of industrial action, as provided for by a December 1998 agreement for the transport sector, raises a series of technical problems. In the Meridiana case, the Minister of Transport will have to issue an arbitration award to define the obligations of the two sides, particularly as regards the sum to be paid by the company.

• 28 Sep 1999
  Italy: Radicals promote series of referenda on trade union and labour issues<#PDF_LINK>

  At the beginning of September 1999, Italy's Radicals political party announced that it had collected enough signatures to hold 20 referenda in spring 2000, with the aim of repealing various legislative provisions. Many of the issues covered by the referenda concern trade union or labour issues, like the collection of trade union membership dues, or individual dismissal procedures. The trade union confederations are firmly opposed to the Radicals' initiative, which they regard as "anti-union".

• 28 Sep 1999
  Italy: Splits open up between trade unions<#PDF_LINK>

  During the summer of 1999, a distinct split has opened up between Cgil and Cisl, the two largest Italian trade unions, on flexibility, reform of the pensions system and economic democracy.

• 28 Sep 1999
  Italy: Government proposes giving end-of-service allowances back to workers<#PDF_LINK>

  In order to promote the growth of supplementary pension funds, in autumn 1999 the Italian government has proposed scrapping the end-of-service allowance (Tfr), a part of workers' pay which is put aside and paid in a lump sum at the end of the employment relationship. Two alternatives are being considered: compulsory payment of the Tfr into supplementary pension funds, or its gradual inclusion in workers' pay packets. The social partners are sceptical.

• 28 Sep 1999
  Luxembourg: New government elected<#PDF_LINK>

  In August 1999, a new coalition government took office in Luxembourg, following the general election in June. The change of administration is unlikely to herald any fundamental change in direction as regards employment law, though the new government will seek to encourage capital- and profit-sharing by employees. There will also be a review of civil servants' pay.

• 28 Sep 1999
  Luxembourg: Indexation leads to 2.5% increase in pay and benefits<#PDF_LINK>

  From 1 August 1999, all wages, pensions and benefits in Luxembourg rose by 2.5% under the Grand-Duchy's automatic statutory indexation scheme.

• 28 Sep 1999
  Netherlands: Renewed debate about reform of the law governing dismissal<#PDF_LINK>

  Over 1999, a committee of experts set up in February by the Dutch Minister of Social Affairs and Employment has been examining possible reform of the law governing dismissal. Although reform of dismissals law has been attempted frequently in the past, the prevailing law has remained largely unchanged over the last half century. Nonetheless, the law's application in practice has changed.

• 28 Sep 1999
  Netherlands: Problems with implementing Working Time Act highlight stress in hospitals<#PDF_LINK>

  The Netherlands' 1996 Working Time Act granted hospitals until 1 January 1999 to meet its requirements. In summer 1999, the health and safety inspectorate drew up an official report on nine hospitals that had still not properly arranged their schedules in line with the Act. The long working weeks of physicians' assistants raised special concern, partly due to the fact that their schedules are modelled on specialists' working weeks. Occupational disability amongst this category has risen dramatically over recent years, particularly due to emotional problems resulting from excessive on-the-job pressure. Preventive measures, including a more normal working week, are now under consideration.

• 28 Sep 1999
  Netherlands: Social partners react critically to cabinet's tax proposals<#PDF_LINK>

  In September 1999, the Dutch government presented proposals for a radical reform of the tax system, whereby the tax base will be broadened, the tax burden shifted and higher environmental taxes levied. The social partners have generally been critical of the plan.

• 28 Sep 1999
  Netherlands: Employers divided on right to work for asylum-seekers<#PDF_LINK>

  In September 1999, the Dutch Minister of Social Affairs opened the door to allowing individuals seeking asylum in the Netherlands to participate in the labour market, and the State Secretary of Justice is to present a plan for an adapted collective agreement to cover asylum-seekers. Small and medium-sized employers and the temporary agency work sector supported this idea, pointing to current labour shortages. The central employers' organisation, VNO-NCW, and the liberal VVD party, which is a member of the governing coalition, are opposed to asylum-seekers participating fully in the labour market.

• 28 Sep 1999
  Netherlands: Hundreds of jobs hang in the balance at NAM<#PDF_LINK>

  In September 1999, the Dutch petroleum company, NAM, announced a sweeping reorganisation that could cut 450 jobs from its 2,500-strong workforce. The trade unions expressed their intention to fight the plan vigorously. NAM, which is based in the Netherlands' northern provinces, provides a significant portion of employment in the region and also generates employment outside the company. Provincial authorities responded to the plan with disappointment.

• 28 Sep 1999
  Norway: Uncertainty hits oil sector<#PDF_LINK>

  Some 12,000 employees in Norway's offshore oil-production industry took strike action in September 1999 against the government's apparent lack of initiative in the face of the present crisis in the Norwegian oil sector. There is growing uncertainty about the industry's future, and significant increases in unemployment are expected in the near future.

• 28 Sep 1999
  Norway: Competitive tendering on the political agenda<#PDF_LINK>

  Privatisation and the competitive tendering of municipal services was on the agenda during the Norwegian general election campaign in spring 1999 and again in the municipal elections in September 1999. The political parties of the right want an increased use of competitive tendering, while trade unions and the Labour Party want to see a more restrictive policy.

• 28 Sep 1999
  Norway: Consensus about partial privatisation of Statoil<#PDF_LINK>

  In August 1999, the board of the Norwegian oil company Statoil recommended its partial privatisation and called for all or a major part of the assets of the state's direct financial interest in petroleum operations to be transferred to Statoil. Trade unions support the basic principles of the recommendation, but do not want to see the state lose its majority stake and its direct involvement in Norwegian petroleum activity.

• 28 Sep 1999
  Norway: European coordination of collective bargaining on the trade union agenda<#PDF_LINK>

  The Norwegian United Federation of Trade Unions held its third national convention in September 1999, and at the top of the agenda was the issue of international coordination of collective bargaining. The federation has already taken the first steps towards a Nordic coordination of bargaining.

• 28 Sep 1999
  Norway: Closed shop practice tried in court<#PDF_LINK>

  A ruling by the municipal court of Oslo on 18 August 1999 stipulates that the practice of closed shop is not prohibited by Norwegian law. Many employees in enterprises connected to LO, and employees within the administration of LO, are subject to closed shop practice. As a result of the ruling the issue may soon be back on the parliamentary agenda.

• 28 Sep 1999
  Portugal: Obligatory accident insurance may clarify self-employed workers' status<#PDF_LINK>

  From January 2000, insurance for work-related accidents and occupational illnesses will be obligatory for Portugal's numerous self-employed workers, many of whom work in the construction sector where the level of accidents is the highest. The new legislation is one more step towards defining the status of self-employed workers, but the trade unions see it as a means of applying pressure to clarify the status of workers in situations of bogus self-employment.

• 28 Sep 1999
  Portugal: Labour Procedural Code revised<#PDF_LINK>

  In autumn 1999, a law revising the Labour Procedural Code has been approved by Portugal's Council of Ministers and now awaits affirmation by the President of the Republic and official publication. The upcoming changes in procedures for court cases on labour and employment issues involves a considerable broadening of trade unions' abilities to act in such cases.

• 28 Sep 1999
  Portugal: Rules governing temporary agency work amended<#PDF_LINK>

  A new law introducing wide-ranging changes to the rules governing temporary agency work in Portugal was published at the beginning of September 1999. The law amends various aspects of the existing legal framework, dating from 1989.

• 28 Sep 1999
  Portugal: Sweeping revision of penalties for violating labour laws<#PDF_LINK>

  August 1999 saw the publication of legislation that will bring about sweeping changes in the system of penalties imposed in cases of violations of Portugal's labour law. The new system divides violations into categories according to their seriousness, and fines will vary according to whether there is gross neglect or intent, and the size of the enterprise.

• 28 Sep 1999
  Portugal: Political parties set out labour and employment programmes<#PDF_LINK>

  Before Portugal's general election on 10 October 1999, the main political parties set out their policies on social, employment and labour issues. Themes such as employment creation, training and equal opportunities were highlighted in nearly all party programmes.

• 28 Sep 1999
  Portugal: TAP prepares for privatisation<#PDF_LINK>

  Over the summer and autumn of 1999, the privatisation process of Portugal's TAP airline has continued, with debate over future developments among the trade unions and the conclusion of a new agreement for pilots, which includes employee share ownership.

• 28 Sep 1999
  Sweden: Unemployment continues to fall<#PDF_LINK>

  According to figures from the National Labour Market Board, unemployment in Sweden fell to 318,000 people, or 7% of the labour force, in August 1999. Employers have expressed concern about labour shortages in some occupations, while both employers and trade unions have stressed the importance of education for those still unemployed.

• 28 Sep 1999
  Sweden: Controversy over stock option programme for Stora Enso managers<#PDF_LINK>

  The major Swedish-Finnish forestry products company, Stora Enso, has offered 200 "key employees" a stock option programme, the details of which were outlined at the end of August 1999. The announcement is reported to have angered the firm's other workers, as negotiations on a profit-sharing system for all 40,000 employees have stagnated.

• 28 Sep 1999
  Sweden: Electricians take industrial action over new agreement<#PDF_LINK>

  September 1999 saw industrial action by the Swedish Electricians' Union, when negotiations over a new collective agreement broke down. As well as pay and working time, the points of disagreement between the trade union and employers include the issue of responsibility for electrical safety.

• 28 Sep 1999
  Sweden: Ericsson provides extra parental leave pay<#PDF_LINK>

  The Swedish telecommunications company Ericsson has concluded an agreement with three trade unions, providing for better pay for parents who want to stay at home to look after their children under the provisions of the Parental Leave Act. The agreement comes at a time when the Equal Opportunities Ombudsman has, in August 1999, called for reinforced rights for parents at work.

• 28 Sep 1999
  Sweden: Stricter rules against sex discrimination proposed by committee<#PDF_LINK>

  A definition of the concept of indirect discrimination should be added to the Swedish Act Concerning Equality Between Men and Women, and the ban on discrimination in conjunction with employment should be extended to cover the whole employment process. These are two of the main changes proposed by a governmental committee in September 1999.

• 28 Sep 1999
  EU Countries: Posted workers and the implementation of the Directive<#PDF_LINK>

  The posted workers Directive, which came into force in December 1999, seeks to prevent free movement of labour within the EU from causing distortions of competition and bringing forms of "social dumping". The basic principle of the Directive is that working conditions and pay in effect in a Member State should be applicable both to workers from that State, and those from other EU countries posted to work there. This comparative study examines briefly: the extent of posting of workers within the EU (plus Norway); the current treatment of posted workers in law and agreements; the changes required to comply with the Directive; and the actions being taken in this area. Particular attention is paid to the specific situation of the construction sector. Alongside an absence of information on the extent of the posting phenomenon, we find an apparent general lack of interest among the social partners, except those in construction. The treatment of posted workers varies considerably from country to country, as do the routes taken to compliance with the Directive.

• 28 Sep 1999
  EU Countries: Travailleurs détachés et mise en ?uvre de la directive<#PDF_LINK>

  La directive relative aux travailleurs détachés, qui est entrée en vigueur en décembre 1999, cherche à éviter que la libre circulation des travailleurs au sein de l'UE ne cause des distorsions de concurrence et n'entraîne des formes de "dumping social". Le principe de base de la directive est que les conditions de travail et de salaire en vigueur dans un Etat membre sont applicables tant aux travailleurs de cet Etat qu'à ceux en provenance d'autres Etats de l'UE qui y sont détachés. Cette étude comparative examine brièvement : l'importance du phénomène du détachement de travailleurs au sein de l'UE (plus la Norvège) ; le traitement des travailleurs détachés dans le cadre de la législation et des accords existants ; les modifications nécessaires pour se conformer à la directive ; et les mesures adoptées dans ce domaine. Une attention particulière est accordée à la situation spécifique du secteur du bâtiment et des travaux publics. A côté d'une absence d'informations quant à l'ampleur du phénomène du détachement, on observe un manque d'intérêt général évident parmi les partenaires sociaux, à l'exception du bâtiment. Le traitement des travailleurs détachés varie considérablement d'un Etat à l'autre, tout comme les mesures prises en vue de se conformer à la directive.

• 28 Sep 1999
  EU Countries: Die Entsendung von Arbeitnehmern und die Durchführung der Richtlinie<#PDF_LINK>

  Die Richtlinie über die Entsendung von Arbeitnehmern, die im Dezember 1999 in Kraft trat, hat das Ziel, Wettbewerbsverzerrungen und Formen des "Sozialdumping" aufgrund der Freizügigkeit der Arbeitnehmer innerhalb der EU zu verhindern. Das Grundprinzip der Richtlinie besteht darin, daß die in einem Mitgliedstaat geltenden Arbeitsbedingungen und die Bezahlung sowohl für Arbeitnehmer des betreffenden Mitgliedstaates als auch für Arbeitnehmer aus anderen EU-Ländern, die zur Arbeit in diesen Mitgliedstaat entsandt wurden, gelten sollten. Die vorliegende Vergleichsstudie befaßt sich kurz mit den folgenden Themen: der Umfang der Entsendung von Arbeitnehmern innerhalb der EU (unter Einschluß von Norwegen); die gegenwärtige in Übereinkünften und Rechtsvorschriften festgelegte Behandlung von Arbeitnehmern; die vorzunehmenden Änderungen, damit die Einhaltung der Richtlinie gewährleistet ist; sowie die in diesem Bereich getroffenen Maßnahmen. Besonderes Augenmerk gilt dabei der speziellen Lage des Bausektors. Neben einem Informationsmangel über das Ausmaß des Phänomens der Entsendung von Arbeitnehmern stoßen wir auf einen allgemeinen Mangel an Interesse der Sozialpartner; eine Ausnahme bildet nur der Bausektor. Die Behandlung entsandter Arbeitnehmer ist von Land zu Land sehr unterschiedlich; das gleiche gilt für die verschiedenen Wege, die zur Einhaltung der Richtlinie eingeschlagen werden.

• 28 Sep 1999
  United Kingdom: Leading manufacturers make employment case for EMU<#PDF_LINK>

  In July 1999, senior management representatives from two leading manufacturing companies in the UK - Unilever and Vauxhall Motors - gave evidence to the House of Commons employment subcommittee about the employment and industrial relations implications of Economic and Monetary Union. Both companies made a case for UK entry on business and employment grounds, providing that sterling was locked in at a "more realistic" rate. They also argued that, by focusing attention on international comparisons of productivity, the euro will place even more of a premium on labour flexibility and "partnership" with employees.

• 28 Sep 1999
  United Kingdom: The Health and Safety at Work Act after 25 years<#PDF_LINK>

  In October 1999, the UK's Health and Safety at Work Act is 25 years old. The UK has long been identified as having a good health and safety record. Nonetheless, changes in the labour market and recent court decisions demonstrate that there is no room for complacency and also raise questions about the adequacy of the country's health and safety regulations.

• 28 Sep 1999
  United Kingdom: Trade unions debate future strategy<#PDF_LINK>

  The annual conference of the UK's Trades Union Congress took place in September 1999. Key debates included those on unions' future organising strategies, UK entry into the European single currency and the regulation of working time. An underlying theme concerned relations between unions and the UK's Labour government.

• 28 Sep 1999
  United Kingdom: TUC calls for early euro entry<#PDF_LINK>

  The annual conference of the Trades Union Congress, which met in September 1999, voted to call on the government actively to pursue UK entry into the single European currency early in the new decade. However, the TUC's two largest affiliates did not support this policy.

• 28 Sep 1999
  United Kingdom: Ministers decide against major reform of sex equality laws<#PDF_LINK>

  In July 1999, ministers responded to proposals from the Equal Opportunities Commission for the reform of UK sex equality laws by announcing that the government did not believe that major legislative change was necessary.

• 28 Sep 1999
  United Kingdom: CBI survey highlights worries over employment laws<#PDF_LINK>

  According to a survey published by the Confederation of British Industry in September 1999, four out of five UK companies feel that the administrative burden caused by employment legislation has risen over the past year. The working time Regulations were identified as having the biggest impact.