January 2001
- 28 Jan 2001
Austria: <#PDF_LINK> - 28 Jan 2001
Austria: 2000 collective bargaining round reviewed<#PDF_LINK>In 2000, Austrian sectoral collective bargaining system continued to display stability, with a very high level of coverage, metalworking playing its traditional pattern-setting role, and agreements generally concluded swiftly. This feature outlines the main points of the bargaining round.
- 28 Jan 2001
Belgium: Social partners set out priorities for future Belgian EU Presidency<#PDF_LINK>In December 2000, Belgium's bipartite Central Economic Council adopted a framework opinion on the Belgian Presidency of the European Union during the second half of 2001. The social partners set out five areas on which the Belgian Presidency should concentrate its efforts.
- 28 Jan 2001
Belgium: Intersectoral agreement concluded for 2001 and 2002<#PDF_LINK>On 22 December 2000, Belgium's central trade union and employers' organisations formally signed an intersectoral collective agreement for 2001-2. The accord provides for an indicative pay norm of an increase of 6.4% over two years (or up to 7% in well-performing sectors), as well as provisions on matters such as training, working time, older workers, reductions in employers' social security contributions and the harmonisation of blue- and white-collar status.
- 28 Jan 2001
Belgium: Less rigid regulations introduced for unemployed artists<#PDF_LINK>Artists in Belgium have an unclear social and employment status and experience the greatest difficulty in building up their social security rights. The current government is committed to drawing up a new status for artists in this respect. In the meantime, on 1 January 2001 a new regulation came into effect for unemployed artists drawing benefit. The improvement is seen by critics as not being far-reaching enough and full of administrative concepts Only "creative artists in a secondary occupation" are regarded as being somewhat better off under the new rules, subject to numerous conditions.
- 28 Jan 2001
Germany: VW introduces new pension funds<#PDF_LINK>From spring 2001, Volkswagen AG in Germany plans to introduce a new occupational pension scheme which provides employees with supplementary retirement benefits. As a result of negotiations between the company's works council and management, the motor manufacturer plans to conclude a works agreement to transfer the administration of pensions to the newly founded "VW-Pension Trust eV". When this transfer takes effect, VW will be one of the first German companies to introduce a fund-based supplementary pension system. After trade unions had initially resisted plans of this type, the government announced plans to provide tax incentives for the introduction of privately-run pension funds. As part of an ongoing dispute about the future of the German statutory pension scheme, "US-style" pension funds are now adding a new dimension to the debate.
- 28 Jan 2001
Germany: Trade unions criticise employers over increased overtime working<#PDF_LINK>In 2000, the number of paid overtime hours worked in Germany increased to a total of 1.85 billion, according to figures issued at the end of the year. While trade unions demand a significant reduction of overtime in order to create new jobs, the employers see overtime as a necessary tool of flexible work organisation, which could only be reduced by a further flexibilisation of working time arrangements.
- 28 Jan 2001
Germany: Fewer work-related injuries and occupational diseases in 1999<#PDF_LINK>According to a report issued by the German Ministry of Labour in late 2000, the number of work-related injuries declined in 1999, as did the number of occupational diseases. On the negative side, the survey also reports a slight increase in the number of fatal accidents.
- 28 Jan 2001
Germany: Parliament approves new pension scheme<#PDF_LINK>In late January 2001, the German parliament approved the new pension scheme proposed by the red-green coalition government as part of its pensions reform. Unlike other parts of the reform, this new scheme did not require support from opposition political parties. While the core of the planned reform - a reduction in state pension provision and encouragement for employees to participate in privately funded pension schemes in order to offset the resulting loss in income - has now been translated into practice, the concrete shape of the overall reform is still unclear.
- 28 Jan 2001
Denmark: LO proposes life-long working time flexibility<#PDF_LINK>In January 2001, Denmark's LO trade union confederation proposed a life-long working time flexibility scheme, whereby employees could work longer hours in the earlier years of their working life and reduce their hours accordingly in later years (a similar scheme already exists in the state sector). This proposal is seen as an attempt to attract young people to join trade unions, as a recent LO study has shown that this group of workers is turning away from the unions. However, employers are uncertain about the proposal.
- 28 Jan 2001
Denmark: First agreements concluded in agricultural sector<#PDF_LINK>In early 2001, new collective agreements are being negotiated in Denmark's agriculture and forestry sector, which is not covered by the main private sector agreements concluded in 2000. The first agreement was signed in January for 6,000 workers in the "agrarian-industrial" sector. Alongside increases in pay and holiday entitlement, the four-year deal increases occupational pension contributions to 9.9% of pay, compared with the 9% agreed in most of the private sector in 2000. Shortly afterwards, similar agreements were concluded for horticulture and bakeries.
- 28 Jan 2001
Spain: Employers' group forced to retract proposal that women pay for maternity leave<#PDF_LINK>In late 2000, a small Spanish business group, the Circle of Employers, was forced to make a public apology for suggesting that employed women pay the employers' maternity leave costs. Though the proposal was widely condemned as being unconstitutional and inapplicable, as well as socially and economically irrational, it shows how the debate on gender discrimination in the Spanish labour market still focuses on maternity leave. Spain is the EU country with the lowest birth rate and the lowest level of female employment.
- 28 Jan 2001
Spain: Third National Agreement on Continuing Training signed<#PDF_LINK>In December 2000, Spain's main employers' organisations and trade unions signed the third National Agreement on Continuing Training (ANFC). Like its predecessors, the agreement provides for the extensive involvement of the social partners in managing all levels of the continuing training system. An innovation is the creation of a new tripartite foundation to administer the system.
- 28 Jan 2001
Spain: Bus strike hits Barcelona<#PDF_LINK>November and December 2000 saw major strike action by bus drivers in Barcelona, who were seeking more full weekends off. The dispute was settled by an agreement that gives the drivers 13 full work-free weekends per year, plus three additional days off.
- 28 Jan 2001
Spain: Civil servants hold 24-hour general strike<#PDF_LINK>On 14 December 2000, civil servants all over Spain held a 24-hour strike in protest against their loss of purchasing power, the increase in temporary employment and the absence of collective bargaining in the civil service.
- 28 Jan 2001
Spain: Working time flexibility dispute at Delphi plant<#PDF_LINK>January 2001 saw an agreement over flexible working time arrangements at the Delphi Diesel Systems plant at St Cugat del Vallés in Spain, following a long-running dispute. A number of other Delphi factories have recently been involved in disputes as the US-based automobile components multinational plans to close plants and cut its workforce.
- 28 Jan 2001
EU Level: Social partners sign declaration on implications of electricity liberalisation<#PDF_LINK>In November 2000, the European-level social partners in the electricity industry –the Eurelectric employers' organisation and the EPSU and EMCEF trade union organisations – signed a joint declaration on the social implications of liberalisation in their industry.
- 28 Jan 2001
EU Level: Agreement on European Company Statute and working time in road transport industry<#PDF_LINK>In December 2000, political agreement was reached by the EU Council of Ministers on two outstanding social policy issues – an extraordinary Employment and Social Policy Council reached agreement on the worker involvement provisions relating to the European Company Statute, while the Transport Council concluded a deal on working time in the road transport industry.
- 28 Jan 2001
EU Level: ETUC executive committee endorses guideline on collective bargaining coordination<#PDF_LINK>In December 2000, the European Trade Union Confederation's executive committee welcomed and endorsed a guideline on the coordination of wage bargaining, formulated by the ETUC's committee for the coordination of collective bargaining.
- 28 Jan 2001
EU Level: European Foundation survey reveals that working conditions in Europe are deteriorating<#PDF_LINK>The preliminary results of a recent survey carried out by the European Foundation for the Improvement of Living and Working Conditions, published in December 2000, point to an increase in work-related health problems in Europe. These include issues such as physical health, intensification of work and flexibility practices which do not always benefit employees.
- 28 Jan 2001
Finland: Merger forms Finland's second-largest union<#PDF_LINK>In November 2000, four Finnish trade unions in the services sector merged to form Service Unions United. With over 200,000 members, it is the country's second-largest union after the Trade Union for the Municipal Sector.
- 28 Jan 2001
Finland: Increase in atypical work weakens employees' motivation<#PDF_LINK>In January 2001, the Central Organisation of Finnish Trade Unions (SAK) published the findings of a survey investigating the views and work situation of its members. The results show a significant increase in "atypical" employment contracts. The effects of this development are found to include a lower commitment to company goals among fixed-term and part-time employees than among permanent, full-time employees.
- 28 Jan 2001
Finland: PT criticises new incomes policy agreement<#PDF_LINK>In January 2001, the Employers' Confederation of Service Industries (PT) published an economic and employment survey, which concludes that the demand for service sector employment is taking a downward turn. The organisation criticises the new national incomes policy agreement for 2001-2 as being too solidarity-oriented and thus making it harder for employers to recruit labour. As a solution, PT proposes changing the incomes policy structures to achieve more flexibility.
- 28 Jan 2001
Finland: Strike closes cargo ports<#PDF_LINK>On 22 January 2001, Finnish cargo ports were hit by a strike called by the Finnish Transport Workers' Union (Auto- ja Kuljetusalan Työntekijäliitto, AKT), in a dispute over redundancies among dockers at the Steveco port operating company. After one day of strike action, a settlement was reached through conciliation, whereby the pay of the redundant workers was guaranteed for 12 months. In addition, AKT has agreed to sign up to the national incomes policy agreement for the next two years.
- 28 Jan 2001
France: Unemployment insurance agreement finally endorsed<#PDF_LINK>An agreement reforming France's jointly-managed UNEDIC unemployment insurance scheme was formally endorsed by the government, at the third time of asking, in December 2000. This followed 10 months of intense negotiations, which became a power struggle between the government and the employers' associations and trade union confederations (CFDT, CFE-CGC and CFTC) which signed the deal. The new agreement reorganises the unemployment insurance system around a "back-to-work assistance plan" (PARE), under which unemployed people's eligibility for unemployment benefits is linked to them committing themselves to an individualised PARE contract. The National Employment Agency (ANPE) will be responsible for developing and implementing this scheme. The CGT-FO and CGT union refused to sign the new agreement, on the grounds that it does not improve the situation of unemployed people.
- 28 Jan 2001
France: Agreement signed on workplace health<#PDF_LINK>In December 2000, a number of French trade union and employers' confederations signed an agreement on "health at the workplace". The accord provides for longer periods between medical check-ups for employees, and a greater role for trade unions in prevention policy.
- 28 Jan 2001
France: Calls for special provisions on 35-hour week for small businesses<#PDF_LINK>In late 1999 and early 2000, some French employers' organisations have called for a moratorium on the application of the recent 35-hour working week legislation to firms with under 20 employees, currently planned for January 2002. The government, while willing to help small companies facing difficulties, is opposed to such a move.
- 28 Jan 2001
France: FEN education union holds 37th congress<#PDF_LINK>The Federation of National Education (FEN), one of France's largest teachers' trade unions, held its 37th congress in December 2000. It decided to change its name to UNSA-Education, to reflect its engagement in the National Federation of Independent Unions (UNSA), and adopted a proposal for educational reform.
- 28 Jan 2001
France: Economic and Social Council proposes measures to combat glass ceiling for women<#PDF_LINK>In December 2000, France's Economic and Social Council adopted an opinion setting out recommendations on increasing the presence of women in decision-making positions. The Council proposes a number of measures, such as improving the image of women, undertaking positive action and reviewing parental leave and childcare provisions.
- 28 Jan 2001
France: Workers with disabilities still face employment integration problems and discrimination<#PDF_LINK>Disabled people in France are benefiting from the improved employment situation considerably less than other workers. In spite of legislation on employment quotas, their integration into the mainstream workforce has been limited, while they are often subject to discrimination, particularly in employment. This feature provides an overview of the situation of workers with disabilities in early 2001.
- 28 Jan 2001
France: Social modernisation bill seeks to strengthen right to work<#PDF_LINK>In January 2001, the French parliament approved at first reading a government bill on "social modernisation". Against the backdrop of an improved economy and a fall in unemployment, the government is seeking to to promote stable employment by limiting precarious jobs and redundancies and fostering the continuous adaptation of workers' skills.
- 28 Jan 2001
France: The French social partners and the French EU Presidency<#PDF_LINK>The French Presidency of the European Union of July-December 2000 gave French trade unions and employers' associations the opportunity to participate in European Union debates, notably on the EU Charter of fundamental rights and the new social policy agenda. Moreover, in the second half of 2000, the social partners contributed to the implementation of France's 2000 National Action Plan on employment and started considering the 2001 Plan.
- 28 Jan 2001
Greece: Survey examines workers' views on employment and unions<#PDF_LINK>Greek workers are in favour of the 35-hour working week, but not of current government industrial relations policy, while their main priorities include quality of life, job security and working conditions. Only a third are union members but the great majority are in favour of trade unions. These are among the main findings of a new survey of the views of workers, published in January 2001.
- 28 Jan 2001
Ireland: Teleworking in focus<#PDF_LINK>Employers and employees have paid increased attention to teleworking in recent years, in Ireland as in many other EU countries, and this trend looks set to continue in the future. This feature outlines the current position and debate with regard to teleworking in Ireland, looking at its extent, the attractions for employers and employees, the government's position (including a Code of Practice issued in 2000) and trade union views and policies.
- 28 Jan 2001
Ireland: Proposals to implement part-time work Directive published<#PDF_LINK>A bill aimed at implementing the 1997 EU Directive on part-time workers was introduced into the Irish parliament in December 2000.
- 28 Jan 2001
Ireland: Home carers to be given right to 65 weeks' leave<#PDF_LINK>In December 2000, the Irish government published draft legislation allowing those caring for incapacitated relatives or friends to take 65 weeks' unpaid leave, complementing a recently introduced social welfare benefit for such carers.
- 28 Jan 2001
Italy: Agreement signed for atypical workers in market research<#PDF_LINK>In December 2000, the social partners in the Italian market research and opinion polls sector signed a first national collective agreement covering non-dependent "atypical" workers who perform freelance and similar work for companies in the sector. The deal is the first result of trade union efforts to lay down the principles which regulate individual employment relationships for such workers through collectively agreements. The regulation of this form of employment is currently under parliamentary discussion.
- 28 Jan 2001
Italy: Agreement signed on funding for schools sector pay<#PDF_LINK>In December 2000, the Italian government and teachers' trade unions signed an agreement on the funds to be allocated to pay increases and to the reform of the schools sector, thus ending a long-running dispute over the implementation of the sector's current national collective agreement. The resources allocated should allow a gross average pay increase for teachers of about ITL 300,000 per month from January 2001.
- 28 Jan 2001
Italy: Agreement on conversion of National Air Traffic Control Agency into joint-stock company<#PDF_LINK>On 12 December 2000, an agreement was signed by management and trade unions on the conversion of Italy's publicly-owned National Air Traffic Control Agency (Enav) into a joint-stock company. The agreement lays down a series of guarantees for the workforce and provides for the creation of an employee shareholding system. Air traffic control has been marked by a high level of industrial conflict in recent years.
- 28 Jan 2001
Luxembourg: Minimum wage increased by 3.1%<#PDF_LINK>Legislation increased Luxembourg's statutory minimum wage by 3.1% at the beginning of 2001. The rise reflected increases in average real pay in the economy over 1998 and 1999.
- 28 Jan 2001
Luxembourg: European Works Councils Directive finally implemented<#PDF_LINK>Luxembourg finally transposed the 1994 EU Directive on European Works Councils into national legislation during 2000, some four years behind schedule. All EU Member States have now implemented the Directive. We review the main distinctive points of the Luxembourg law.
- 28 Jan 2001
Netherlands: Ethnic minority labour market participation still low despite more stringent legislation<#PDF_LINK>In late 2000, the Dutch Institute for Multicultural Development (Forum) highlighted the relatively low participation rate of people from ethnic minority groups in the labour market. The organisation has threatened to institute legal proceedings, in view of the fact that legislation tightened in 1998 appears to have failed to achieve its objectives.
- 28 Jan 2001
Netherlands: 2001 bargaining round likely to be difficult<#PDF_LINK>In its recommendations for the Dutch 2001 bargaining round, the bipartite Labour Foundation has called for wage moderation, plus measures to improve training and employability and to modernise remuneration policy. However, bargaining is likely to be turbulent, with some employers seeking cuts in sick pay, and a number of unions affiliated to the FNV confederation seeking 6% pay increases, rather than the 4% recommended by FNV. The government supports wage restraint and has taken budgetary and other measures to promote training, working time flexibility and employee savings.
- 28 Jan 2001
Norway: No general right to retain employer in transfers<#PDF_LINK>In December 2000, the Norwegian Supreme Court ruled in two appeal cases that there is no general right for employees to retain employment with their original employer in cases of outsourcing or change of ownership. There are, however, exceptions to this general rule.
- 28 Jan 2001
Norway: New occupational pension regulations in force<#PDF_LINK>New regulations related to occupational pensions came into effect in Norway on 1 January 2001. The most significant change is that companies may now receive tax allowances in connection with "defined-contribution" pension plans. The development of such plans is generally welcomed by the social partners.
- 28 Jan 2001
Norway: Controversial health sector reform proposed<#PDF_LINK>On 18 January 2000, the Norwegian Minister of Health presented a government proposal for a wide-scale reform of the public health sector. The proposed reform is controversial in industrial relations terms because it includes a decentralisation of employer's responsibilities to individual hospitals.
- 28 Jan 2001
Portugal: Tax reform seeks better balance<#PDF_LINK>In December 2000, the Portuguese parliament approved a tax reform which will, among other provisions, lower the tax burden on employees, improve compliance and combat tax fraud and evasion. The social partners gave the reform a mixed response.
- 28 Jan 2001
Portugal: Retirement age under debate<#PDF_LINK>New Portuguese legislation, adopted in December 2000, will make it easier for unemployed people aged over 55 to retire and receive an old-age pension. The new measure comes at a time when the retirement age is starting to come under debate in a country with one of the EU's highest average retirement ages.
- 28 Jan 2001
Portugal: New immigration law adopted<#PDF_LINK>In January 2001, a new law was adopted on immigrant workers in Portugal. The legislation includes measures which will make it easier for immigrants in employment to gain residence rights and allow illegal immigrants to regularise their situation. Overall, the trade unions regard the law as positive, although they call attention to the implications of the use being made of immigrant workers.
- 28 Jan 2001
Portugal: Proposed legislation seeks to tackle bullying<#PDF_LINK>In early 2001, the Portuguese parliament is considering new legislation to prevent "psychological terrorism" and "moral harassment" - essentially bullying (or "mobbing") - at the workplace. The draft law has been prompted by increased concern in political and trade union concerns about the number of reported cases of such harassment.
- 28 Jan 2001
Sweden: Working time legislation to be examined again<#PDF_LINK>In December 2000, the Swedish government announced the establishment of a new working time commission, to examine the entire system of legislation on working hours and leave and propose changes which allow for greater individual choice. This move is the latest development in a long-running debate over possible working time reform.
- 28 Jan 2001
Sweden: Chemicals industry concludes first agreement of 2001 bargaining round<#PDF_LINK>In January 2001, the social partners in the chemicals industry concluded the first collective agreement of Sweden's 2001 bargaining round. The deal will give the sector's 26,000 workers a total pay rise over 38 months of 8.45%, taking into account an annual working time reduction of one day.
- 28 Jan 2001
Sweden: Commissioner proposes individual learning accounts<#PDF_LINK>In December 2000, a commissioner appointed by the Swedish government submitted her final report on individual learning accounts. The commissioner proposes creating a new opportunity for all adults to finance their own needs for skill development throughout their working life.
- 28 Jan 2001
Sweden: Five-year pay agreement for teachers finally concluded<#PDF_LINK>After some 14 months of discussion, a new five-year pay agreement for teachers employed by municipal authorities in Sweden was concluded in December 2000. Although all teachers will, if possible, receive a 20% pay rise over the five-year period, the only guaranteed pay rises are 4% in the first year and 2% in the second. Local and individual agreements will play a major role in implementing the new accord.
- 28 Jan 2001
United Kingdom: Green paper on parental leave receives mixed reception<#PDF_LINK>In December 2000, the UK government published consultative proposals for the reform of parental leave arrangements. Employers' groups expressed concern at the prospect of further legislative intervention while trade unions and other campaign groups gave the proposals a generally positive reception.
- 28 Jan 2001
United Kingdom: Government plans to speed up equal pay cases<#PDF_LINK>In December 2000, the UK government issued proposals intended to streamline employment tribunal procedures for dealing with claims relating to equal pay for women and men.
- 28 Jan 2001
United Kingdom: Government and employers submit evidence on national minimum wage<#PDF_LINK>During November and December 2000, the UK government and two leading employers' organisations presented evidence to the Low Pay Commission, which is currently considering whether to recommend an increase in the national minimum wage.
- 28 Jan 2001
United Kingdom: Government launches review of redundancy consultation laws<#PDF_LINK>In January 2001, the government announced its intention to review the UK's workforce consultation requirements concerning collective redundancies.
- 28 Jan 2001
United Kingdom: Cross-border comparison leads to shorter working week at UK Peugeot plant<#PDF_LINK>In September 2000, after protracted negotiations and strike action by the workforce, management and unions at Peugeot's major UK plant agreed a reduction in the working week. The move followed the introduction of the 35-hour week at the parent group's plants in France and is an indication of the way in which reference points in collective bargaining are developing a cross-border dimension.
- 28 Jan 2001
Austria: New controversy over shop opening hours<#PDF_LINK>In late 2000, Austria's minister of economic and labour affairs proposed further liberalisation of shop opening hours, causing tensions within the coalition government and drawing sharp criticism from the social partners.