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February 2002

• 28 Feb 2002
  Spain: Temporary employment increases in public sector<#PDF_LINK>

  Spain has a very high level of temporary employment, especially among women. However, in recent years the temporary employment rate has been falling slightly in the private sector, while increasing in the public sector, which previously had a relatively low level of such non-permanent employment. The public sector is a major employer of women and its female employees are much more likely than their male colleagues to work on temporary contracts. We review the situation at the beginning of 2002.

• 28 Feb 2002
  Portugal: Equality is Qualityawards recognise good practice<#PDF_LINK>

  In January 2002, the winners of Portugal's annualEquality is Qualityprize, awarded by the tripartite Commission for Equality in Work and Employment, were announced. The prize is designed to reward good practices by employers in promoting equality of opportunity for women and men. In 2002, the winners were Opel Portugal and the Loures Town Hall Municipal Water and Sanitation Services. The employment of women in traditionally male-dominated professions, particularly in management positions, was a key criterion in awarding the prize.

• 28 Feb 2002
  Belgium: Industrial unrest at the post office<#PDF_LINK>

  Late 2001 saw three days of strikes at the Belgian Post Group, in protest against management's plans to close smaller post offices and reduce the number of sorting centres in advance of EU-wide liberalisation of postal services.

• 28 Feb 2002
  Belgium: Inter-community dispute on time credit scheme<#PDF_LINK>

  A time credit scheme introduced by the Belgian federal government in January 2002, which includes the right for employees to take a career break of at least one year, has become the focus of a dispute between Wallonia and Flanders. The Flemish regional government wants to complement the incentives provided by the federal law with additional benefits, which the Walloon government regards as a move toregionalisecompetences which should lie with the federal state. The trade union movement is divided on the issue.

• 28 Feb 2002
  Sweden: Skanska managers found guilty of work environment crime<#PDF_LINK>

  In January 2002, a Swedish court found two deputy managers at the Skanska construction firm guilty of breaching work environment legislation, and imposed fines on them and on Skanska. The case arose from a major poisoning incident in the construction of a tunnel at Hallandsåsen, causing injury to many workers and environmental damage.

• 28 Feb 2002
  Sweden: ICT companies seeking pay cuts<#PDF_LINK>

  In early 2002, many companies in the Swedish information and communications technology (ICT) sector are seeking pay cuts or freezes to help them adjust to more straitened economic circumstances. It is not certain that the employers will succeed in this aim, not least because pay in many longer-established ICT companies is regulated by collective agreements.

• 28 Feb 2002
  Denmark: Government proposes more flexible maternity-related leave<#PDF_LINK>

  In February 2002, Denmark's new Liberal-Conservative government proposed a new system of maternity-related leave, whereby the current childcare leave scheme would be scrapped and replaced with increased maternity/childbirth leave entitlement for both parents. The aim is to simplify the existing legislation and create a higher degree of flexibility for families with small children. Employers view the proposals as reducing flexibility and encroaching on managerial prerogative, while employers in the finance sector in particular fear that the new system will be very costly for them, owing to the terms of their collective agreement, which provides for full pay during maternity/childbirth leave.

• 28 Feb 2002
  Spain: Industrial accident rate rises for eighth year in a row<#PDF_LINK>

  According to figures published in early 2002, 2001 was another poor year for industrial accidents and occupational illnesses in Spain, with the industrial accident rate increasing for the eighth year in a row. Despite numerous efforts to create a genuine framework of preventive legislation , the number of people suffering health problems at work increases year after year. A recent report commissioned by the government attempts to explain the situation, on which the social partners take differing positions

• 28 Feb 2002
  Spain: Controversy over new definition for measuring unemployment<#PDF_LINK>

  In line with criteria laid down by Eurostat, the definition of unemployment used in Spain's EPA labour force survey has been changed from January 2002. As the new criteria are stricter than those previously used in Spain, the number of unemployed people measured by the EPA will fall considerably. Trade unions and other critics claim that this change will disguise the real situation on the labour market.

• 28 Feb 2002
  Portugal: Pay under debate as TAP results improve<#PDF_LINK>

  In February 2002, the Portuguese national airline, TAP, announced greatly improved financial results for 2001, cutting its losses by half compared with 2000, and more than meeting the target set in its recovery plan. The results surprised many, given the current problems in the international airline industry. TAP workers who have contributed towards the improved results are to be rewarded with a bonus, which is to be awarded by the middle of 2002, but trade unions are seeking pay increases following a freeze in 2001

• 28 Feb 2002
  Portugal: Employment prospects examined<#PDF_LINK>

  February 2002 saw the publication of two studies examining employment prospects and demand in the Portuguese labour market. One report on the likely employment situation in 2001 predicts increasing unemployment, though accompanied by a continuing need for new immigrant labour. The second study examines the career paths of graduates, finding that the majority take up jobs in public administration, with the private sector slow to take on highly qualified workers.

• 27 Feb 2002
  Italy: Intersectoral continuing vocational training funds established<#PDF_LINK>

  Legislation adopted in Italy 2000 made it possible for the social partners to set up intersectoral funds to finance continuing vocational training. The new funds receive the 0.3% paybill contribution levied on employers for continuing training, which formerly went to the public authorities. By February 2002, five such funds had been set up.

• 27 Feb 2002
  Luxembourg: Kralowetz case uncovers shortcomings in control of international transport companies<#PDF_LINK>

  In January 2002, a major scandal broke over the alleged illegal employment of drivers from central and eastern European countries by Kralowetz, an international road haulage company with its registered office in Luxembourg. The affair has uncovered serious shortcomings in Luxembourg's system for monitoring international transport companies registered there, and has caused a major political controversy.

• 27 Feb 2002
  Spain: Labour costs and income distribution examined<#PDF_LINK>

  Labour costs and pay, and their macroeconomic effect, are currently very topical in Spain, with the social partners concluding in December 2001 an intersectoral agreement on bargaining, which provides that pay increases in 2002 should be linked to inflation and productivity gains Here we examine recent figures on the development of labour costs, pay and income distribution.

• 27 Feb 2002
  Spain: Foundation for Occupational Risk Prevention assessed<#PDF_LINK>

  Spain's quadripartite Foundation for Occupational Risk Prevention, which seeks to promote activities aimed at improving health and safety at work, started operations in 1999. Here we assess the Foundation's achievements up until early 2002, concluding that in its short history it has played a valuable and innovative role.

• 27 Feb 2002
  Spain: CEOE sets out priorities for 2002<#PDF_LINK>

  With Spain holding the EU Presidency in the first half of 2002, the Spanish employers' confederation CEOE has set out its priorities for the Presidency, which include revitalising the Lisbon strategy, ensuring the success of the euro, making enlargement a means of greater cohesion, reinforcing the external dimension of the Union and contributing to its future. CEOE has also expressed its views on collective bargaining in 2002, following the conclusion in December 2001 of an intersectoral agreement laying down guidelines for bargaining

• 26 Feb 2002
  Italy: Government initiatives spark major confrontation with trade unions<#PDF_LINK>

  Between November and December 2001, the Italian government launched three important reform initiatives in the fields of labour market institutions, the pension system and the tax system. The Cgil, Cisl and Uil trade union confederations sharply criticised the government's action, both because of the contents of the bills put before parliament and because of the way in which the government had decided to proceed, without an agreement with the social partners. The Confindustria employers' confederation, on the other hand, expressed approval of the steps taken by the government and urged it to stick to its decisions.

• 26 Feb 2002
  Greece: Union issues demands for new banking agreement<#PDF_LINK>

  In late January 2002 the Greek Federation of Bank Employee Unions (OTOE) decided on its framework of demands for 2002 banking sector collective agreement. It is calling for pay increases of 7%-8%, the introduction of a 35-hour week and a variety of other measures, including enhanced information and consultation in mergers and takeovers.

• 26 Feb 2002
  Italy: Cgil congress affirms strong opposition to government<#PDF_LINK>

  At its national congress held in February 2002, Cgil, Italy's largest trade union confederation, focused largely on its relationship with the centre-right government and the latter's current reform initiatives. The possibility of a general strike raised by Cgil was strong rejected by Cisl and Uil, the two other main union confederations. Sergio Cofferati was re-elected as Cgil general secretary.

• 26 Feb 2002
  Denmark: Social partners in favour of health and safety bargaining<#PDF_LINK>

  In late 2001, Denmark's new Liberal-Conservative government proposed a number of amendments to working environment legislation, which seek to simplify regulations and cutred tapefor smaller businesses. The proposals roll back a number of changes made by the former government. The DA employers' confederation welcomed the move while the LO trade union confederation opposed it and responded in January 2002 with an ambitious strategy paper on improving the working environment. However, there was a high degree of consensus between the social partners on the idea of greater regulation of health and safety through collective bargaining.

• 26 Feb 2002
  Luxembourg: Postal workers' union wound up<#PDF_LINK>

  In the wake of a scandal over the alleged embezzlement by its president of members' savings, the Trade Union Federation of Luxembourg Postal Delivery Staff (FSFL) was wound up in February 2002. The decision was taken in order to enable members to recover some of the money they have lost.

• 26 Feb 2002
  France: Industrial action hits McDonald's restaurants and franchises<#PDF_LINK>

  In the wake of five dismissals at a McDonald's fast-food outlet in Paris in October 2001, industrial action and stoppages have hit several of the chain's restaurants. Following court rulings in December 2001 and January 2002, three of the five dismissed workers were reinstated.

• 26 Feb 2002
  France: Work-related accidents and industrial hazards in the spotlight<#PDF_LINK>

  A major fatal explosion at a chemicals factory in Toulouse in September 2001 has sparked off a debate in France on the risks to health generated by companies. This issue no longer seems confined to the changing nature of the risks of work-related accidents encountered by employees, but now include the threats that some companies pose to their neighbouring populations.

• 26 Feb 2002
  Norway: Controversial plan for modernisation of public sector<#PDF_LINK>

  In January 2002, the Norwegian government put before parliament a plan to modernise and increase efficiency in the public sector. Several of the measures proposed have been met with scepticism by both public sector trade unions and political parties to the left of the centre-right government.

• 26 Feb 2002
  Finland: Trade unions worried about EU enlargement<#PDF_LINK>

  At a seminar held in February 2002, Finnish trade unions expressed their concerns about the forthcoming enlargement of the EU to the east. They are worried that tax competition may be caused by the different taxation practice in the candidate countries, which might be a threat to the welfare state. The unions also fear that the EU decision-making process may be paralysed. For their part, the employers do not see any major threats in connection with enlargement.

• 25 Feb 2002
  Ireland: ESRI report calls for more flexible model of centralised wage bargaining<#PDF_LINK>

  Ireland's independent Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI) issued a report in December 2001, calling for a more flexible model of centralised wage bargaining that reflects the realities of EU Economic and Monetary Union and economic uncertainty. The current model of wage bargaining is viewed as too rigid.

• 25 Feb 2002
  Ireland: Part-time work Directive finally implemented<#PDF_LINK>

  New part-time work legislation took effect in Ireland in late December 2001. The Protection of Employees (Part-Time Work) Act 2001 implements the 1997 EU Directive on part-time work. The new Act provides part-time workers with important employment protection rights encompassing both pay-related issues, such as pension entitlement, and non pay-related issues.

• 25 Feb 2002
  Austria: Scandal over illegal employment of east European lorry drivers<#PDF_LINK>

  In January 2002, one of Austria's major road haulage companies was accused of illegally employing drivers from central and eastern Europe. The HTV transport workers' trade union also claimed that about 80% of Austria's road haulage firms pay their lorry drivers illegally low wages, and demanded tougher punishments for such exploitation. The road transport scandal has also raised the issue ofsocial dumpingin road haulage within the EU internal market.

• 25 Feb 2002
  Belgium: Price war and high work pressure bring industrial action in large-scale retail<#PDF_LINK>

  The Belgian large-scale retail sector is a turbulent one, with companies engaged in restructuring and a fierce price war to keep their customers and market shares. One result has been persistent industrial action, as trade unions claim that the greater competition is being conducted at the employees' expense. In 2001, the Carrefour chain faced a number of strikes, while a one-day strike in the entire sector preceded the conclusion of a new single collective agreement for the industry in December 2001. For the unions, the new agreement seeks to protect employees against the erosion of already low wages and against extreme forms of flexibility. Carrefour again faced strikes in January and February 2002, this time because of employee concerns about high work pressure.

• 25 Feb 2002
  Belgium: Debate resurfaces on automatic pay indexation<#PDF_LINK>

  Belgium is one of the few EU countries where pay is automatically linked to the cost of living, and in late January 2002 the slumbering debate on the issue flared up again. The cause was the abolition of the TV and radio licence fee in the Flanders and Brussels regions. Employers and trade unions discussed the way in which the abolition of this fee should be worked into the consumer prices index, which in turn influences increases in pay and social security benefits. With the social partners failing to agree, the federal Minster of the Economy decided that the effect of the fee's abolition would not be taken into account immediately.

• 25 Feb 2002
  Germany: Paid overtime falls slightly as debate intensifies<#PDF_LINK>

  In January 2002, Germany's Federal Employment Service published new figures on the amount of paid overtime being worked. With a total of 1.735 billion hours worked in 2001, overtime remains at a high level, even taking into account a fall of 50 million hours from the 2000 figure. While paid overtime has stabilised at a high level, unemployment in Germany has risen again, reaching around 4.3 million (10.4%) in January 2002. Discussions over a significant reduction of overtime and its impact on employment have, therefore, been gaining in importance.

• 25 Feb 2002
  United Kingdom: Unions challenge the UK'slong hours culture<#PDF_LINK>

  In a new report, published in February 2002, the Trades Union Congress highlighted the long working hours of millions of UK employees and called for an end to the provision in the EU working time Directive enabling individual employees toopt outof the 48-hour limit on average weekly working hours.

• 25 Feb 2002
  Germany: ECJ upholds German law on posted workers<#PDF_LINK>

  In January 2002, the European Court of Justice (ECJ) largely upheld the German Law on the Posting of Employees, which grants minimum wages and working conditions to foreign workers while working on German construction sites. The judgment was widely welcomed by the Ministry of Labour, the construction workers' trade union and some employers.

• 25 Feb 2002
  EU Level: Global agreement signed at Endesa<#PDF_LINK>

  Trade unions and management representatives concluded aglobal agreementat the Spanish-owned power firm Endesa in January 2002. The accord commits the parties to respecting international labour standards, trade union rights and health and safety standards, and to recognising the importance of vocational training. It also establishes regular international meetings between unions and management. Also in January 2002, the existing global agreement on workers' rights at the German multinational Freudenberg was renewed without amendment.

• 15 Feb 2002
  Germany: Study compares pay developments in Germany and France<#PDF_LINK>

  In late 2001, the German Institute for Economic Research (DIW) published a study which compares pay developments in Germany and France and their impact on growth and employment. French pay increases have far outstripped those in Germany since 1997, and the study concludes that this has been a major factor in increasing domestic demand and employment in France.

• 15 Feb 2002
  France: CES examines issues raised by ageing workforce<#PDF_LINK>

  In October 2001, France's consultative Economic and Social Council (CES) adopted an opinion on measures to address the issues raised by the ageing workforce. The opinion deems increased employment among older workers as a priority in the light of demographic change, and sets out specific proposals to amend current practices.

• 15 Feb 2002
  Italy: Italian unions stress role of bargaining during European health and safety week<#PDF_LINK>

  As part of their response to the European week for safety and health at workheld from 22-28 October 2001, Italian trade unions organised a seminar in Rome. At this event, the unions stated that the enhancement of collective bargaining at all levels is required if the the problem of workplace safety is to be addressed properly. Furthermore, if safety policy is to be effective it must go further than mere compliance with the requirements laid down by law.

• 15 Feb 2002
  Portugal: Innovative agreement signed at BCP banking group<#PDF_LINK>

  In January 2002, an innovative company-level collective agreement was signed at Portugal's BCP banking group. The deal: creates institutionalised mechanisms for the resolution of conflict (such as arbitration); allows for more a flexible organisation of working time; improves supplementary pension provisions; and enhances career development.

• 14 Feb 2002
  Spain: 'Integration companies' examined<#PDF_LINK>

  Integration companiesin Spain are organisations which seek to integrate people faced by social exclusion into employment by providing training and work experience. In 2001, the government took the first steps towards regulating these companies, which have been regarded with some misgiving by trade unions and, to a lesser extent, employers' organisations. We review the situation in early 2002.

• 14 Feb 2002
  Luxembourg: Major tax cuts approved<#PDF_LINK>

  A tax reform introduced in Luxembourg in 2002 involves major cuts in taxation on individuals and companies, despite trade union criticism. Luxembourg now claims to have Europe's lowest taxation burden on individuals, and the second lowest on companies.

• 14 Feb 2002
  Luxembourg: White-collar unions oppose reform of representativeness rules<#PDF_LINK>

  In January 2002, three trade unions representing private sector white-collar employees in Luxembourg joined forces to oppose a proposal by the Minister of Labour to redefine the criteria for assessing thenationally representativestatus of unions. The three unions also plan to create a single organisation for private sector white-collar staff.

• 08 Feb 2002
  Italy: Matrix makes first 'dot.com' redundancies<#PDF_LINK>

  In late January 2002, Matrix, the company which runs the main Italian web portal, Virgilio, announced 83 redundancies out of its staff of 295, with the workers concerned being placed on mobility lists(a scheme whereby they receive an income and measures to help them find new jobs). Workers and trade unions opposed the job losses - the first major redundancies in Italy's dot.comsector - and organised a strike, as well as other forms of protest.

• 08 Feb 2002
  EU Level: Commission reports on employment in wake of terrorist attacks<#PDF_LINK>

  In January 2002, the European Commission issued a report examining the employment implications of the recent economic slowdown and of the terrorist attacks on the USA on 11 September 2001.

• 08 Feb 2002
  EU Level: Informal Council discusses employment targets and pensions<#PDF_LINK>

  EU employment and social policy ministers met informally in Burgos, Spain in January 2002. The main topics for discussion were the EU employment strategy and the new strategy for coordination in the area of pensions.

• 08 Feb 2002
  Germany: Alliance for Jobs divided over bargaining policy<#PDF_LINK>

  In late January 2002, representatives of the German government and social partners met for their eighth round of official top-level talks within the national Alliance for Jobs, Training and Competitiveness. The meeting was overshadowed by conflicting views between trade unions and employers on pay policy in the forthcoming collective bargaining round, and made no progress on this issue.

• 08 Feb 2002
  Germany: Development of pay and labour costs in 2001 examined<#PDF_LINK>

  According to figures from the WSI Collective Agreement Archive, issued in January 2002, collectively agreed pay increased on average by 2.1% in Germany in 2001. Pay increases varied from sector to sector between 3.2% and 1.3%. Recent figures from the Federal Statistical Office indicate that in 2001 increases in actual pay (1.8%) and total labour costs (1.6%) were somewhat below the rise in collectively agreed pay. This might be explained by continuingnegative wage driftand a further slight reduction in employers' social security contributions.

• 08 Feb 2002
  Germany: Public procurement to be linked to observance of collective agreed pay<#PDF_LINK>

  In December 2001, the German federal government proposed new legislation which would oblige companies seeking to obtain public contracts in construction and local public transport to pay their employees collectively agreed pay rates. While the trade unions welcomed this initiative, the majority of employers' associations sharply criticised the bill - which had its first reading in parliament in January 2002 - claiming that it represented a pay diktatto business.

• 08 Feb 2002
  Norway: Hospital nurses on strike<#PDF_LINK>

  Nurses in Norwegian public hospitals launched strike action on 22 January 2002 following the breakdown of pay negotiations between their trade union, NSF, and the NAVO employers' association. Around 200 nurses were initially called out on strike but, with no agreement in sight by early February, the action has gradually been extended.

• 07 Feb 2002
  EU Countries: Arbeitsbedingter Stress und die Arbeitsbeziehungen<#PDF_LINK>

  Stress gehört zu den häufigsten arbeitsbedingten Gesundheitsproblemen in Europa. In dieser Vergleichsstudie wird der arbeitsbedingte Stress als Thema der Arbeitsbeziehungen in den EU-Mitgliedstaaten und Norwegen untersucht. Dargestellt wird der rechtliche Rahmen, es wird erläutert, in welchem Maße Stress ein Thema der Tarifverhandlungen ist und die Ansichten und Maßnahmen der Sozialpartner und öffentlichen Einrichtungen werden beschrieben. Die Studie kommt zu dem Ergebnis, dass Stress in den Richtlinien über Gesundheitsschutz und Sicherheit am Arbeitsplatz nur selten berücksichtigt wird und nur in einigen wenigen Ländern ein Thema der Tarifverhandlungen ist. Stress ist für Gewerkschaften und für einige Arbeitgeberorganisationen ein Thema von zunehmender Bedeutung; insgesamt gesehen ist Stress jedoch noch immer einunsichtbares'Thema in den Arbeitsbeziehungen, zumindest im Hinblick auf wirksame Präventionsmaßnahmen. Es gibt jedoch Anzeichen dafür, dass sich diese Situation in Zukunft ändern könnte.

• 07 Feb 2002
  EU Countries: Le stress lié au travail et les relations industrielles<#PDF_LINK>

  Le stress est un des problèmes de santé d'origine professionnelle les plus fréquents en Europe. La présente étude comparative est consacrée au stress professionnel en tant que problématique dans le cadre des relations industrielles des États membres de l'UE et de la Norvège. Elle met l'accent sur le cadre réglementaire, sur la prise en compte du stress dans les négociations collectives, et sur les points de vue et les actions des partenaires sociaux et des pouvoirs publics. Elle montre que le problème du stress est rarement traité de façon spécifique dans la législation sur la santé et la sécurité et n'est pris en considération dans les négociations collectives que dans quelques pays. Le stress est un sujet auquel les syndicats et quelques organisations d'employeurs accordent de plus en plus d'importance, mais reste néanmoins 'invisible' dans le cadre des relations industrielles, tout au moins en ce qui concerne la recherche d'une action préventive efficace. Mais certains signes indiquent que cette situation pourrait évoluer à l'avenir.

• 06 Feb 2002
  Norway: Wages rose by 5% in 2001<#PDF_LINK>

  Norwegian wages increased by an average of almost 5 % from 2000 to 2001, according to figures published by the Technical Calculating Committee on Wage Settlements in January 2002. The highest wage rises were among teachers, at 8%, while employees in the municipal sector received only a 3.5% increase.

• 06 Feb 2002
  Spain: Dispute over overtime during introduction of euro<#PDF_LINK>

  In January 2002, trade unions in the Spanish banking sector held demonstrations to protest at what they claim is a high level of unpaid overtime linked to the introduction of the euro. The union state that the euro has added to existing problems in this area. Banking employers dispute the overtime figures put forward by the unions.

• 06 Feb 2002
  Spain: Sharp rise in redundancy procedures<#PDF_LINK>

  Latest figures from the Spanish Ministry of Labour show that there was a sharp rise in the number of redundancy procedures, and in the number of workers affected, in 2001. The number of workers affected rose by over two-thirds between January-October 2000 and the same period in 2001. Meanwhile, in early 2002, a major redundancy procedure has been announced at Hunosa, the state-owned mining company.

• 06 Feb 2002
  Denmark: Opposition to government bill on part-time work<#PDF_LINK>

  In January 2002, Denmark's new Liberal-Conservative government presented a bill amending the current legislation on part-time work. It proposes that restrictions on the use of part-time work laid down in collective agreements should be abolished. The bill has been criticised by the social partners, which accuse the government of intervening in the collective bargaining system. The Danish Confederation of Trade Unions (LO) fears that the new legislation would result in some part-timers working for fewer hours than is necessary to gain entitlement to various benefits and employment rights, and that some employees would be forced to take on several part-time jobs.

• 05 Feb 2002
  France: Decentralised pay bargaining in banking as unions call strike<#PDF_LINK>

  In early 2002, company-level pay bargaining has been occurring in French banks, with varying results. The trade unions in the banking sector have been attempting to mobilise employees, calling a strike and other action with mixed success from bank to bank. As well as pay, employment and working conditions, the unions are seeking improvements in the safety of bank employees.

• 05 Feb 2002
  Austria: First agreement signed for temporary agency workers<#PDF_LINK>

  January 2002 saw the conclusion of Austria's first ever collective agreement for temporary agency workers. The agreement sets minimum wages for almost 27,000 workers - mainly male workers in metalworking - even when not hired out to a user company.

• 05 Feb 2002
  Sweden: Government wants to tighten up relocation rules<#PDF_LINK>

  In the light of a rising number of company closures and relocations to other countries, the Swedish government is considering tightening up national rules in this area. In December 2001, it commissioned a study of the legal situation in the EU Member States regarding employers' responsibilities in company closures.

• 05 Feb 2002
  United Kingdom: More employers recognising unions, reports TUC<#PDF_LINK>

  Research published in January 2002 by the UK's Trades Union Congress highlights a significant growth in the number of recognition agreements with employers secured by unions during 2001.

• 05 Feb 2002
  Germany: Number of work-related injuries continues to decline<#PDF_LINK>

  According to a report issued by the German Ministry of Labour in January 2002, the number of work-related injuries declined in 2000, as did the number of occupational diseases. Workers' risk of suffering from a work-related injury was the lowest since the Ministry started to publish data on this issue.

• 05 Feb 2002
  Sweden: Experimental sabbatical leave scheme launched<#PDF_LINK>

  In February 2002, the Swedish government launched an experimental sabbatical leave scheme in 10 municipal areas. Under the scheme, employees may take up to one year of sabbatical leave if they are replaced in their job by an unemployed person. During the leave, the employees involved receive a state benefit equivalent to 85% of unemployment benefit.

• 05 Feb 2002
  Sweden: Sick pay and rehabilitation reform plan presented<#PDF_LINK>

  In January 2002, a committee established by the Swedish government presented an action plan on increased health in working life. The plan contains a number of proposals concerning sick pay and the rehabilitation of workers on sick leave, and is likely to be translated into legislation by the government.

• 05 Feb 2002
  Ireland: Work permit rules tightened due to economic downturn<#PDF_LINK>

  From January 2002, Ireland has tightened up its work permit regime for non-EEA nationals, which had been relatively liberal in recent times. The move was triggered by job losses in the past year, but employers are unhappy with the extrared tapeinvolved.

• 05 Feb 2002
  Ireland: First race discrimination finding highlights preferences given to EEA nationals<#PDF_LINK>

  December 2001 saw the first ever finding upholding a claim of racial discrimination in Irish employment law. The Equality Officer rejected the argument that the EU Treaty obligation not to discriminate between European Economic Area (EEA) nationals justifies discrimination against non-EEA workers.

• 05 Feb 2002
  Denmark: Unions oppose reduction in minimum wages in order to increase integration of immigrants<#PDF_LINK>

  A report published in January 2002 by athink tankset up to examine the integration of immigrants in Denmark states that old systems and procedures have to be reconsidered if integration through attachment to the labour market - considered a key factor - is to become a reality. One proposal is to reduce collectively agreed minimum wages for new immigrant workers, but this has been rejected by the trade unions.

• 05 Feb 2002
  Greece: Special agreement covers euro changeover in banking<#PDF_LINK>

  In January 2002, a special collective agreement was signed regulating pay and conditions in Greek banks during the time when both the drachma and the euro are in circulation - ie up until the end of February 2002. The deal provides for longer bank-opening hours during this period and a lump-sum payment to all employees.

• 05 Feb 2002
  France: UNSA seeks greater representativeness<#PDF_LINK>

  France's National Federation of Independent Unions (UNSA), founded in 1993, held its third national conference in January 2002. Currently a grouping of mainly public sector unions, UNSA is seeking to improve its presence in the private sector when the next elections for members of industrial tribunals are held in December 2002, and consequently to assert its representative status.

• 05 Feb 2002
  France: MEDEF holds extraordinary congress<#PDF_LINK>

  France's MEDEF employers' confederation held an extraordinary congress in January 2002, at which nine resolutions were passed, calling for major change in areas such as working time, industrial relations, training, social security and taxation. MEDEF's proposals are aimed at launching a debate with both trade unions and political parties in the run-up to major national elections in the first half of 2002.

• 05 Feb 2002
  Finland: SAK highlights employers' social responsibility<#PDF_LINK>

  Corporate social responsibility has been an issue for debate among the Finnish social partners in recent times. As part of this process, in January 2002, the SAK blue-collar trade union confederation expressed concern about the effects on workers of changes in the economic environment and working life, and challenged employers to definegood workand its content. In the employers' view, companies must have a free hand to define their social responsibility.

• 04 Feb 2002
  Spain: Redundancies and reorganisation at Ericsson and Siemens<#PDF_LINK>

  As a result of the crisis in the telecommunications sector, and particularly in mobile telephony, in late 2001 Ericsson announced the elimination of 850 jobs in Spain, while Siemens announced plans to reorganise its workforce. Both companies intend to reduce their industrial activity in Spain and to outsource administrative and technical services in order to concentrate investments in research and development.

• 04 Feb 2002
  Spain: Central agreement on bargaining in 2002<#PDF_LINK>

  In mid-December 2001, after lengthy negotiations, Spain's central trade union confederations and employers' organisations concluded anAgreement for collective bargaining 2002. The deal lays down guidelines and criteria for lower-level bargaining in 2002, including pay increases linked to inflation and productivity gains, and a focus on employment and health and safety.

• 04 Feb 2002
  Spain: Unemployment rises again<#PDF_LINK>

  For the first time since 1994, unemployment rose in Spain in 2001, particularly from August onward. Whereas the government claims that the change is due to the international situation, the trade unions are calling for more substantial employment policies.

• 04 Feb 2002
  Greece: Special agreement on temporary closure of Athens Hilton<#PDF_LINK>

  In November 2001, an innovative agreement was reached by management and workers' representatives at the Athens Hilton hotel, which will be temporarily closed for renovations until 2003. The agreement provides for a continued employment relationship, with a degree of wage compensation, for many of the hotel's employees.

• 04 Feb 2002
  EU Level: Recent developments in sectoral social dialogue<#PDF_LINK>

  The European-level sectoral social dialogue is now a well-established process, with a total of 26 sectors having established dialogue committees. A range of joint texts have been negotiated by these committees over the past few years, on issues which include equal opportunities, modernisation of work, training, enlargement and corporate social responsibility. We review the situation in early 2002.

• 04 Feb 2002
  Denmark: LO and DA sign agreement on integration of refugees and immigrants<#PDF_LINK>

  In late January 2002, the Confederation of Danish Trade Unions (LO) and the Danish Employers' Confederation (DA) agreed a set of common objectives for the better integration of refugees and immigrants in Danish society. According to the social partners, current integration policy has failed because its attachment to the labour market is too loose. They state that labour market integration measures should be the responsibility of the existing coordination committees, on which the social partners are represented, and that the only way to ensure good integration is through earlier attachment to the labour market and quicker acquisition of sufficient language skills.