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July 2001

• 28 Jul 2001
  Austria: Negotiations deadlocked over more flexible shop opening hours<#PDF_LINK>

  In June 2001, the long-running efforts to introduce more liberal shop opening hours in Austria suffered a severe setback. A new ministerial proposal to amend the current legislation seems likely to fail due to sharp criticism from the social partners and increasing tensions within the coalition government.

• 28 Jul 2001
  Austria: Ban on women's night work finally to be abolished<#PDF_LINK>

  Austria has until the end of 2001 to bring its national legislation on night work into line with EU law, thus lifting current restrictions on night work for women. However, an unofficial draft amendment presented by the minister of economic and labour affairs in May 2001 provoked parliamentary opposition and criticism from employees' organisations, which want the new regulations to include measures to alleviate the burden of night work for both women and men alike.

• 28 Jul 2001
  Belgium: Agreement finally reached in construction sector<#PDF_LINK>

  After lengthy negotiations, the social partners in the Belgian construction sector finally concluded a sectoral agreement for 2001-2 in June 2001. The main point of controversy had been the introduction of a specific form of temporary agency work in the industry.

• 28 Jul 2001
  Belgium: Childminders to become employees<#PDF_LINK>

  In early June 2001, some 3,000 Belgian childminders (the great majority of them women, but a few men too) held a protest march in Brussels to press for a proper social security status. More than a year before, the federal government had promised this group - who currently have no social security cover - such a status. Their protection has now been scheduled to start in July 2001, but the details are yet to be finalised. One bill on the issue proposes that childminders become "fictitious" employees who are assumed to earn the minimum wage.

• 28 Jul 2001
  Germany: Government-employer agreement prevents equal opportunities law<#PDF_LINK>

  In July 2001, the German government and employers' associations signed an agreement on equal opportunities in the private sector, in which the latter declared their intention to develop and implement their own measures to promote equal opportunities and "family-friendly" employment conditions. The conclusion of the agreement means that a binding law on equal opportunities, which had formed part of the current "red-green" government's coalition pact, has been put on hold. While the federal minister responsible for women's affairs expressed satisfaction with the agreement, it was criticised by the Green Party - the junior coalition partner - trade unions and women's organisations. They argue that business and industry have had enough time to develop measures on equal opportunities but have not done so, thus requiring binding legal regulations and not declarations of intent.

• 28 Jul 2001
  Germany: New collective agreements signed in retail<#PDF_LINK>

  After bargaining in the German retail sector had dragged on for some weeks, a new collective agreement signed in Hamburg on 21 June 2001 brought the dispute to an end. The basic provisions contained in the Hamburg settlement were subsequently accepted in other bargaining regions.

• 28 Jul 2001
  Germany: Landmark training agreement concluded in metalworking<#PDF_LINK>

  After more than three months of intense negotiations, the social partners in the German metalworking industry's Baden Württemberg bargaining region finally signed a new collective agreement on further and continuing training in June 2001. The agreement will entitle employees to determine their training needs in annual consultations with their employer, with the latter paying for the subsequent training. The parties also agreed to set up a new agency which will assist companies and employees to improve the maintenance, adaptation and upgrading of skills. The IG Metall trade union hopes to conclude similar agreements in other bargaining regions.

• 28 Jul 2001
  Germany: Works Constitution Act reform adopted<#PDF_LINK>

  In June 2001, the lower house of the German Bundestag approved a reform of the Works Constitution Act. Almost 30 years after the last major overhaul of the law on works councils, the government now aims to adjust numerous provisions to the changed business environment and in particular seeks to give works councils a say in areas such as training, employment security, protection of the environment and fighting xenophobia and racism at the workplace. Besides several provisions which seek to streamline the procedure for the election of works councils and increase their size, the new Act will also improve the representation of women. While trade unions mainly welcomed the new law, employers' associations highlighted major concerns.

• 28 Jul 2001
  Germany: IG Metall and VW fail to agree on terms for creation of 5,000 new jobs<#PDF_LINK>

  In late June 2001, Volkswagen (VW) and the IG Metall metalworkers' trade union failed to agree on the pay and conditions to apply to workers employed under the company's proposed "5,000 x 5,000" project. In late 1999, the motor manufacturer had presented a plan to create 5,000 new jobs, with the employees concerned receiving fixed monthly pay of DEM 5,000. Under the proposals, new employees would work as long as necessary to reach production targets (up to the statutory maximum working week of 48 hours), over six days a week (excluding Sundays). Although both sides made concessions during bargaining, in June differences concerning working time and pay brought the negotiations to an end for the time being.

• 28 Jul 2001
  Germany: Interim report on 2001 collective bargaining round<#PDF_LINK>

  In July 2001, the WSI research institute presented an interim report on Germany's 2001 collective bargaining round. The study evaluates collective agreements concluded in the first half of 2001, affecting about 17% of all employees covered by an agreement. For the majority of the employees, however, pay increases for 2001 were already determined in 2000 when many agreements were concluded with a term of two years. The average increase in wages and salaries will be around 2.1% in 2001, which is significantly lower than the previous pay increases of 2.4% in 2000 and 3.0% in 1999.

• 28 Jul 2001
  Denmark: Danish Football Players' Union is a success<#PDF_LINK>

  Around 95% of Danish professional football players are members of the Football Players' Union. Despite the strong element of competition and obvious individual interests connected to this profession, the union is a success. This is the conclusion of a study, published in June 2001, of industrial relations in professional football. According to this analysis, the success of the union is due to its support for both the individual and collective needs of the players. Women professional players have recently been admitted to the union.

• 28 Jul 2001
  Denmark: Proposed mergers will unite service sector employers<#PDF_LINK>

  In June 2001, four of the organisations representing employers in the Danish service sector tabled a proposal for a large-scale merger, bringing together organisations representing both employers' and business interests. The aim is to establish a single main organisation, ServiceErhvervene (SE), which unites member organisations under one umbrella, but which will, at the same time, be able to meet the very diverse needs of the members in a flexible way. The merger seeks to shift the power balance within the Danish Employers' Confederation (DA) away from industry, and to strengthen the political influence of the service sector. However, the fact that Danish Trade and Commerce (DHS) is not so far participating in the merger may be an obstacle to the ambition of creating a strong unitary organisation.

• 28 Jul 2001
  Denmark: Dispute over regulation of health and safety at work<#PDF_LINK>

  The Danish government has recently proposed extending the competence of the Working Environment Authority to include the "psychosocial" working environment. Along with other recent political initiatives in the field of health and safety at work, this has been interpreted by the social partners as an attack on the Danish model of bargaining and cooperation. In July 2001, the Danish Employers' Confederation (DA) responded by proposing the abolition of the Working Environment Act and the introduction of a system based exclusively on agreements between the social partners. This proposal was flatly rejected by the ruling Social Democratic Party and also failed to obtain support from many trade unions.

• 28 Jul 2001
  Spain: Sintel dispute continues<#PDF_LINK>

  The long-running dispute over redundancies and unpaid wages at Sintel, the beleaguered Spanish telephone installation company, rumbles on in summer 2001. Negotiations are underway with the participation of the government.

• 28 Jul 2001
  Spain: Civil service pay dispute continues<#PDF_LINK>

  In mid-2001, Spanish civil servants are continuing to mobilise for improvements in their pay and conditions, following a court ruling in January 2001 against the freezing of civil servant's wages (in contravention of an earlier agreement with the previous Socialist government) by the People's Party government in 1997.

• 28 Jul 2001
  Spain: Government seeks reform of collective bargaining<#PDF_LINK>

  In mid-2001, the Spanish government launched talks with the social partners over a reform of the collective bargaining system. It aims to legislate to introduce changes such as an increased role for company-level bargaining. The social partners are divided over any reform of the system.

• 28 Jul 2001
  Spain: Social partners assess bargaining<#PDF_LINK>

  In summer 2001, the Spanish government has been consulting the social partners over a planned reform of the collective bargaining system. We examine the views of employers' organisations and trade unions on the current state of affairs and how it could be improved, based on their assessments of recent bargaining.

• 28 Jul 2001
  Spain: Major revision of chemicals industry agreement<#PDF_LINK>

  In May 2001, a new national general collective agreement (the 13th such accord) was signed for the Spanish chemicals industry. The three-year deal constitutes a major revision of the previous agreement, and introduces innovations in areas such as variable pay, working time and tarde union rights.

• 28 Jul 2001
  Spain: Law on reconciliation of work and family life examined<#PDF_LINK>

  In summer 2001, Spain's law on the reconciliation of work and family life has been in force for around 18 months. It lays the basis for sharing family and domestic responsibilities, thus offering an opportunity for progress in equal opportunities for men and women. We examine the law and its effects, and criticisms that it is not sufficiently ambitious, because it covers only the working environment rather than adopting the integrated approach laid down in EU Directives on the subject.

• 28 Jul 2001
  Spain: Strikes in the telemarketing sector<#PDF_LINK>

  June 2001 saw strikes and other industrial action in Spain's telemarketing sector. Trade unions sought the resumption of negotiations over a new national sectoral collective agreement and the introduction of improvements in pay and conditions. The action was well supported by the 40,000 workers in the sector, 90% of whom are employed on temporary contracts.

• 28 Jul 2001
  EU Level: Belgian Presidency sets out priorities<#PDF_LINK>

  Belgium took over the Presidency of the EU Council of Ministers on 1 July 2001. The Presidency's priorities in the employment and social policy field cover: employment; a socially fair Europe; equality between men and women; and developing a European social economy.

• 28 Jul 2001
  EU Level: EP delivers opinions on range of social policy proposals<#PDF_LINK>

  In May and June 2001, the European Parliament delivered opinions on a range of important social and employment policy proposals, including the draft Directives: amending the 1976 equal treatment Directive; regulating working time for mobile workers in the road transport sector; and concerning work equipment for work at heights. However, in July, the Parliament rejected a conciliation committee text of the Directive on company takeovers, which included information rights for employees.

• 28 Jul 2001
  EU Level: High-Level Task Force on Skills and Mobility launched<#PDF_LINK>

  In June 2001, the European Commission launched a High-Level Task Force on Skills and Mobility. This initiative forms part of the Commission's attempt to open up pan-European labour markets, particularly in the area of information and communications technologies, by 2005.

• 28 Jul 2001
  EU Level: Unions protest over risk to jobs posed by euro<#PDF_LINK>

  A demonstration was organised at the headquarters of the European Central Bank in June 2001 by international trade union organisations representing print workers. The unions claim that thousands of print workers' jobs will be under threat from the introduction of the euro on 1 January 2002.

• 28 Jul 2001
  EU Level: European code of conduct agreed in hairdressing<#PDF_LINK>

  A code of conduct was signed in June 2001 by the European-level social partners in the personal services (hairdressing) sector. The code, hailed as the most comprehensive adopted at European level so far, covers issues such as working conditions, fair wages, profits, lifelong learning, information and consultation of employees and combating non-declared work.

• 28 Jul 2001
  EU Level: Green Paper promotes greater corporate social responsibility<#PDF_LINK>

  A Green Paper on the promotion of a European framework for corporate social responsibility was published by the European Commission in July 2001. The document, which aims to stimulate general debate, covers a wide range of topics, including responsible actions during corporate restructuring, promotion of "work/life balance" and corporate codes of conduct on social rights.

• 28 Jul 2001
  EU Level: Commission proposes strategy for promoting labour standards and better social governance<#PDF_LINK>

  In July 2001, the European Commission launched a strategy aimed at promoting core labour standards and better social governance in the context of globalisation. Stating that it hopes to ensure that everybody benefits from globalisation, the Commission aims to improve existing initiatives and mechanisms at international and EU level, in addition to recognising the importance of voluntary company--level initiatives.

• 28 Jul 2001
  EU Level: Employment in Europe 2001 report highlights improved labour market performance<#PDF_LINK>

  The European Commission's Employment in Europe 2001 report was published in July 2001. The report praises the EU for increasing its overall employment rate, stating that the target of a participation rate of 70% by 2010 is within reach. However, it also notes that some challenges remain, particularly in the area of skills, labour market mobility, gender gaps, youth unemployment and the participation of older workers.

• 28 Jul 2001
  Finland: Women gaining more leadership positions in unions<#PDF_LINK>

  In June 2001, for the first time, a woman was chosen to lead Finland's largest trade union, the municipal workers' KTV. Women have also gained more of a foothold recently in the higher echelons of some other unions. However, female union presidents are usually in charge of unions representing low-paid workers, whereas the unions representing the most strategically important export sectors are often led by men.

• 28 Jul 2001
  Finland: New Employment Contracts Act in force<#PDF_LINK>

  In June 2001, a new Employment Contracts Act came into force in Finland. The Act, over 30 years old, has been reformed in its entirety. The main aims of the new Act are to improve the position of fixed-term and part-time employees, to define more precisely the system of "general validity" of collective agreements, and to clarify provisions concerning employment security.

• 28 Jul 2001
  Finland: 2001 NAP focuses on growth and employment<#PDF_LINK>

  In May 2001, the Finnish National Action Plan (NAP) for employment was published. It focuses on bolstering economic growth and employment. The social partners are mainly satisfied with the preparation process and the results.

• 28 Jul 2001
  France: Major swing to SUD in Michelin workplace elections<#PDF_LINK>

  A few months after difficult negotiations over a 35-hour week agreement which split trade unions and workers at Michelin, the French-based tyre manufacturer, elections of employee representatives were held at the company's plants in Clermont-Ferrand in May-June 2001. The results indicate a change in the balance of power among unions, and particularly growing support for the independent SUD.

• 28 Jul 2001
  France: Demonstration held against redundancies<#PDF_LINK>

  A major demonstration against the current wave of job losses in French companies, and calling for stronger legislation to prevent redundancies, was held in Paris on 9 June 2001. Between 20,000 and 40,000 people took part, notably including employees of around 30 firms who are threatened with redundancy. The major trade unions took little part in the demonstration, which was largely called by the workers themselves, political parties and independent unions.

• 28 Jul 2001
  France: Customised agreement reached on 35-hour week in catering<#PDF_LINK>

  In June 2001, an agreement on implementing the 35-hour working week in the French catering sector was signed by a number of employers' organisations and trade unions. The catering sector currently has a 43-hour week and is predominantly made up of small and medium-sized companies. Given the industry's special characteristics, government ministers have agreed specific measures to support the move to the 35-hour week.

• 28 Jul 2001
  France: MEDEF pulls out of social security funds<#PDF_LINK>

  In June 2001, France's MEDEF employers' confederation confirmed its decision not to appoint new representatives to the administrative boards of the various general social security funds, in protest at the government's use part of the funds' surplus to finance social security contribution exemptions linked to the introduction of the statutory 35-hour week.

• 28 Jul 2001
  France: CGT-FO endorses supplementary pensions agreement<#PDF_LINK>

  In June 2001, France's CGT-FO trade union confederation, which had initially rejected a supplementary pensions agreement reached in February 2001 by the MEDEF employers' confederation and the CFDT and CFTC union confederations, announced that it would now endorse the accord. Once CGT-FO has signed, three of the five nationally representative trade union confederations in the private sector will have endorsed the agreement.

• 28 Jul 2001
  France: Government announces increased paternity leave but abandons independent income for young people<#PDF_LINK>

  The annual Conference on the Family, held on 11 June 2001, was an opportunity for the French government to announce an extension of paternity leave from three days to two weeks, aimed at promoting greater equality between the sexes. However, the government did not satisfy expectations on the creation of an independent income for young people.

• 28 Jul 2001
  France: Report evaluates 35-hour week law at half-way stage<#PDF_LINK>

  In June 2001, France's National Economic Planning Agency published a report seeking to present "the most balanced possible assessment" of the application so far of the recent legislation on the introduction of the 35-hour working week. The report presents a generally positive evaluation and contains some proposals that have fuelled controversy among the social partners.

• 28 Jul 2001
  France: Two-tier SMIC challenged<#PDF_LINK>

  From 1 July 2001, the French government increased the hourly rate of the SMIC national minimum wage by 4.05%. However, measures introduced to protect the wages of employees paid the SMIC in the context of the current change from a 39-hour to a 35-hour working week, mean that SMIC earners who have already moved to the 35-hour week will receive a smaller rise, accentuating an increasing diversity in minimum wage rates. The emergence of a "two-tier SMIC" has been criticised by both trade unions and employers.

• 28 Jul 2001
  France: Redundancy legislation to be toughened<#PDF_LINK>

  In June 2001, France's national assembly gave a second reading to the government's "social modernisation" bill, whose wide-ranging provisions include measures on redundancies. In a context of increasing disquiet about a wave of large-scale job losses, the latest version of the bill contains much more restrictive measures on redundancies than the original proposals. Employers' organisations have rejected the proposals out of hand, while trade unions want the law to go further.

• 28 Jul 2001
  France: Council examines reform of pensions system<#PDF_LINK>

  The Pensions Stewardship Council was set up by the French government in 2000 to recommend reforms which can guarantee the future of the French state pensions system. At its meeting in July 2001, the Council finalised its overall budgetary forecasts for the major pension schemes, and laid the initial building blocks for reflection on ways of restoring the financial balance in the pension system.

• 28 Jul 2001
  Greece: New banking sector agreement signed<#PDF_LINK>

  In late June 2001, a new one-year collective agreement for the Greek banking sector was signed by employers' representatives and the OTOE trade union. The deal increases basic pay and allowances by 4.2%.

• 28 Jul 2001
  Greece: New agreement signed at OTE telecommunications concern<#PDF_LINK>

  In June 2001, a new two-year enterprise-level collective agreement was signed at Greece's Hellenic Telecommunications Organisation (OTE). The deal provides for a pay increase of 3.3% over 2001-2, as well as a variety of new and improved benefits and allowances.

• 28 Jul 2001
  Greece: Global agreement on fundamental rights signed at OTE<#PDF_LINK>

  In June 2001, the Greek-based Hellenic Telecommunications Organisation (OTE) signed an international agreement on workers' rights with the OME-OTE trade union, which represents most of its Greek workforce, and UNI, which represents telecommunications workers' unions worldwide. The deal commits OTE to recognise a range of fundamental rights in all its operations, and establishes an implementation and follow-up mechanism.

• 28 Jul 2001
  Greece: Government announces new pay system for public servants<#PDF_LINK>

  The Greek government is seeking to achieve public budget surpluses of 5% to 7%, while public servants have expectations of regaining the losses in purchasing power that they have sustained over the past 15 years. The aspirations of the two parties are not compatible as the government seeks to introduce a new pay system for public servants in summer 2001, and as a result the margins for bargaining are limited. A feeling of unfairness and discontent is growing among public servants.

• 28 Jul 2001
  Ireland: European human resource directors' conference focuses on attracting and retaining employees<#PDF_LINK>

  In June 2001, the Irish Business and Employers Confederation hosted the annual European human resource directors' conference, in cooperation with the European Commission. The main theme of the conference was a common challenge facing policy-makers and many European companies, that of attracting and retaining employees in new labour markets. Although there was a degree of consensus among participants relating to the nature of these challenges, there was less consensus on how to address them.

• 28 Jul 2001
  Ireland: National minimum wage developments and trends in income distribution<#PDF_LINK>

  In July 2001, the Irish national minimum wage was increased from IEP 4.40 to IEP 4.70 per hour. The increase will be important in raising income levels amongst the large number of low-paid workers in Ireland and will facilitate a small, albeit important, reduction in the gender wage gap. However, in comparison with the majority of other developed countries, Ireland has noticeably higher levels of relative income inequality. The gap between rich and poor is the second highest in the industrialised world, and the increase in the minimum wage will have a limited impact on narrowing this gap.

• 28 Jul 2001
  Ireland: US firms are major influence in rise of non-unionism<#PDF_LINK>

  A study published in mid-2001 finds that the significant rise in the number of newly-established workplaces without a recognised trade union in Ireland since the mid-1980s is largely due to the positions adopted by US-based companies with Irish subsidiaries.

• 28 Jul 2001
  Ireland: Steel plant to close despite cost reduction deal<#PDF_LINK>

  In June 2001, Ispat International, the owner of the Irish Ispat steel plant in Cobh, Co. Cork, announced that the site was to close with the loss of 400 jobs. The decision came in spite of an earlier agreement by the workforce to a major cost-cutting programme.

• 28 Jul 2001
  Italy: New agreement signed for food sector<#PDF_LINK>

  In June 2001, the pay and economic part of the national collective agreement for the Italian food sector was renewed. Over 2001-3, workers will receive an average pay increase of ITL 125,000 (EUR 65) gross per month and a one-off payment of ITL 240,000 (EUR 124). The social partners also agreed a number of common commitments on the topical issue of food safety.

• 28 Jul 2001
  Italy: New government and trade unions open dialogue<#PDF_LINK>

  In late June 2001, Italy's new centre-right government held its first meeting with the social partners. The government presented a series of changes it intends to make in its first 100 days in office, notably relating to tax reform and measures to fight the clandestine economy. The government also announced the transposition of the EU Directive on fixed-term work, on the basis of a joint declaration by the social partners, which was not signed by the Cgil trade union confederation and the Confcommercio commerce employers' organisation.

• 28 Jul 2001
  Italy: Cisl holds 14th congress<#PDF_LINK>

  Cisl, one of Italy's three main trade union confederations, held its 14th national congress on 12-15 June 2001. Savino Pezzotta was confirmed as general secretary. In his introductory speech, he stressed that Cisl must adjust itself to the continually evolving global and Italian economic situation in order to strengthen both itself and the role of labour within society. The debate on trade union unity was relaunched at the congress, with the general secretaries of the Uil and Cgil confederations participating.

• 28 Jul 2001
  Italy: Rinascente introduces new form of employee financial participation<#PDF_LINK>

  In late May 2001, the management of the Rinascente group - one of Italy's largest retail chains - approved a scheme which allows its workers to purchase company shares on advantageous terms. This is the first time that an Italian company has offered its workers shares with a guaranteed yield higher than that available on the general market. The trade unions are very critical of this initiative, which they see as being merely a financial operation without any employee participation aspects.

• 28 Jul 2001
  Italy: New metalworking collective agreement signed despite Cgil opposition<#PDF_LINK>

  In July 2001, Italian trade union unity was seriously breached due to a dispute over the renewal of the pay terms of the national collective agreement for the metalworking sector. After 35 years of united activity, the metalworkers' trade unions, Fim-Cisl, Fiom-Cgil and Uilm-Uil, held separate strikes. Next, Fim-Cisl and Uilm-Uil decided to sign an agreement with the Federmeccanica employers' organisation while Fiom-Cgil decided to continue the dispute. Fiom is proposing that a referendum be held among the sector's workers to approve or refuse the agreement signed by the other unions. The affair may have significant repercussions for the future development of the Italian trade union movement.

• 28 Jul 2001
  Luxembourg: Tripartite agreement on partial disability pensions<#PDF_LINK>

  In June 2001, tripartite discussions in Luxembourg led to an agreement on a partial disability pension, in addition to the existing full disability pension. It will be incumbent on employers in the first instance to offer internal redeployment to employees in receipt of the partial disability pension. In the event of non-compliance, the employer will be liable to pay a compensatory tax of 50% of the minimum wage for up to 24 months.

• 28 Jul 2001
  Netherlands: New roster introduced at Dutch Railways despite rejection by largest union<#PDF_LINK>

  In June 2001, Dutch Railways (NS) implemented a highly controversial new duty roster - which has been the subject of substantial industrial action in recent months - despite the fact that an agreement on its introduction has been rejected by the largest rail trade union, FNV Bondgenoten. However, due to a lack of equipment and staff (with high levels of absence), NS has already been forced to amend the new schedule.

• 28 Jul 2001
  Netherlands: Controversy over wage moderation<#PDF_LINK>

  In summer 2001, debate over wage moderation has dominated Dutch industrial relations, with inflation reaching 5.4% in May - the highest rate in the "euro-zone". The government, the president of the Dutch Bank and employers' organisations have called for pay restraint, but the social partners differ over what constitutes "sensible" wage increases, with employers calling for 2% rises and trade unions sticking to 4%. The debate was further fuelled by reports that executive salaries were rising at an annual rate of 14%.

• 28 Jul 2001
  Norway: New teachers' union to be established<#PDF_LINK>

  The creation of a new teachers' trade union was given its final approval at extraordinary national congresses of the Norwegian Union of Teachers and the Teachers' Union Norway, held in June 2001. The new merged organisation will be established on 1 January 2002, and will be Norway's third-largest union, with approximately 130,000 members.

• 28 Jul 2001
  Norway: New employer and industry association created for ICT sector<#PDF_LINK>

  June 2001 saw the establishment of Norway's first employers' association in the information and communications technology (ICT) sector. The new organisation is called Abelia, and is a member organisation of the Confederation of Norwegian Business and Industry (NHO).

• 28 Jul 2001
  Portugal: Social security issues prominent on social partners' agenda<#PDF_LINK>

  In summer 2001, the Portuguese social partners are dealing with a number of occupational social security issues, at both company level - with disputes at the CGD/BNU bank and at the TAP airline - and nationally - with the privately-run occupational accident insurance scheme to be integrated into the social security system.

• 28 Jul 2001
  Portugal: Social security issues prominent on social partners' agenda<#PDF_LINK>

  In summer 2001, the Portuguese social partners are dealing with a number of occupational social security issues, at both company level - with disputes at the CGD/BNU bank and at the TAP airline - and nationally - with the privately-run occupational accident insurance scheme to be integrated into the social security system.

• 28 Jul 2001
  Portugal: New initiatives on gender equality<#PDF_LINK>

  In summer 2001, addressing gender inequalities has been high on the agenda of the government and social partners in Portugal. In June, new legislation came into effect aimed at reinforcing mechanisms to monitor and punish discriminatory employment practices, and at measuring the progress being made in eliminating discrimination. Furthermore, Portugal's 2001 National Action Plan for employment focuses on equal opportunities, while a number of other initiatives have been taken by the Commission for Equality in Work and Employment and trade unions.

• 28 Jul 2001
  Portugal: Guaranteed minimum income scheme assessed<#PDF_LINK>

  Portugal's RMG guaranteed minimum income scheme marked its fourth anniversary in July 2001. The government took the opportunity to announce that RMG recipients are to be offered jobs or training, and that a study will be launched to examine the social and occupational progress of former beneficiaries.

• 28 Jul 2001
  Portugal: Survey examines working conditions<#PDF_LINK>

  July 2001 saw the publication of the findings of an innovative official survey of working conditions in Portugal. For the first time, detailed information was gathered about the workplace, employees' freedom to manage their own working hours, ergonomic conditions, absence and mobility between jobs. We summarise some of the key findings.

• 28 Jul 2001
  Sweden: LO focuses on fighting ethnic discrimination<#PDF_LINK>

  The Swedish Trade Union Confederation (LO) decided in June 2001 to concentrate its opinion-forming and educational work on fighting ethnic segregation and discrimination in working life. The five-year programme includes initiatives such as the training of 60 special instructors to be allocated to LO's 18 affiliated unions in order to conduct educational work within the unions and at the workplace.

• 28 Jul 2001
  Sweden: Report examines position of immigrants with professional qualifications<#PDF_LINK>

  Sweden is facing increasing skill shortages, but only 39% of non-EU immigrant professional workers have a job corresponding to their competence level, compared with 85% of professionals born in Sweden. Foreign-born professional workers with university degrees from countries outside the EU have particular difficulties in finding appropriate jobs. These are among the findings of a report published by the Labour Market Board in July 2001.

• 28 Jul 2001
  EU Countries: The involvement of employees and collective bargaining in company restructuring<#PDF_LINK>

  Continuous and pervasive company restructuring is a fact of life in today's economy. Its effects are also a cause of increasing concern to trade unions and many public authorities - as evinced by recent European Union initiatives aimed at improving the management of industrial change. In this comparative study, we examine the extent to which employees and collective bargaining are involved in managing and responding to the restructuring process. We outline the extent and character of restructuring, before considering the statutory and collectively agreed provisions on employee participation in the process and the way in which collective bargaining at various levels plays a role.

• 28 Jul 2001
  United Kingdom: Series of government initiatives follows election<#PDF_LINK>

  Following its re-election in June 2001, the UK's Labour government has announced a number of organisational and policy developments in the industrial relations area.

• 28 Jul 2001
  United Kingdom: UK holiday rule unlawful says ECJ<#PDF_LINK>

  In June 2001, the European Court of Justice upheld a trade union's legal challenge against the holiday entitlement provisions of the UK's working time Regulations.

• 28 Jul 2001
  United Kingdom: CBI survey highlights impact of regulation on employers<#PDF_LINK>

  The Confederation of British Industry's annual employment trends survey, published in June 2001, presents a picture of significant workplace change prompted by both regulation and competition.

• 28 Jul 2001
  United Kingdom: Government supports steel workers hit by Corus restructuring<#PDF_LINK>

  In May 2001, the Anglo-Dutch steel-making company, Corus, confirmed to the UK government that it would proceed with the plant closures and 6,050 redundancies first announced in February. The same day, the government and Welsh Assembly announced an aid package for redundant workers. This feature examines the context and details of the government's offer, responses to the package, and some implications it raises for industrial relations.