June 2002
- 27 Jun 2002
Netherlands: Social partner involvement in the 2002 NAP<#PDF_LINK>This feature examines social partner involvement in the Netherlands' 2002 National Action Plan (NAP) for employment. It is one of a set of similar features for all the EU Member States, written in response to a questionnaire
- 27 Jun 2002
Luxembourg: Social partner involvement in the 2002 NAP<#PDF_LINK>This feature examines social partner involvement in Luxembourg's 2002 National Action Plan (NAP) for employment. It is one of a set of similar features for all the EU Member States, written in response to a questionnaire.
- 27 Jun 2002
France: Social partner involvement in the 2002 NAP<#PDF_LINK>This feature examines social partner involvement in France's 2002 National Action Plan (NAP) for employment. It is one of a set of similar features for all the EU Member States, written in response to a questionnaire.
- 27 Jun 2002
Italy: Social partner involvement in the 2002 NAP<#PDF_LINK>This feature examines social partner involvement in Italy's 2002 National Action Plan (NAP) for employment. It is one of a set of similar features for all the EU Member States, written in response to a questionnaire.
- 27 Jun 2002
EU Countries: Industrial relations aspects of mergers and takeovers<#PDF_LINK>Europe is currently undergoing a massive wave of corporate mergers and takeovers, a development which is attracting growing interest from industrial relations practitioners, researchers and policy-makers at all levels. This comparative study looks at the industrial relations aspects of the mergers and takeovers phenomenon, examining: the context of EU-level regulation and concern; the regulatory framework governing workers' rights in such situations; the role of public authorities; the impact on jobs and collective bargaining; cross-border mergers and takeovers and the role of European Works Councils; and the views of the social partners. The study finds that mergers and takeovers have major implications for industrial relations, but that the capacity of workers' representatives to intervene in the process varies considerably between countries.
- 26 Jun 2002
Finland: Social partner involvement in the 2002 NAP<#PDF_LINK>This feature examines social partner involvement in Finland's 2002 National Action Plan (NAP) for employment. It is one of a set of similar features for all the EU Member States, written in response to a questionnaire
- 26 Jun 2002
Denmark: Social partner involvement in the 2002 NAP<#PDF_LINK>This feature examines social partner involvement in Denmark's 2002 National Action Plan (NAP) for employment. It is one of a set of similar features for all the EU Member States, written in response to a questionnaire.
- 26 Jun 2002
Spain: Social partner involvement in the 2002 NAP<#PDF_LINK>This feature examines social partner involvement in Spain's 2002 National Action Plan (NAP) for employment. It is one of a set of similar features for all the EU Member States, written in response to a questionnaire.
- 25 Jun 2002
EU Level: European Company Statute in focus<#PDF_LINK>During 2002, the governments of the EU Member States and the social partners are examining the implementation of the European Company Statute – the recent EU measure which allows for the creation of a new type of company incorporated at European level and regulates the employee involvement arrangements to apply in such firms.
- 25 Jun 2002
EU Level: Commission to consult on EU-level dispute resolution machinery<#PDF_LINK>During 2002, the European Commission is expected to begin consultations with the social partners on the possible establishment of a voluntary conciliation, mediation and arbitration service at European level. This feature reviews the background to this initiative.
- 24 Jun 2002
Austria: Social partner involvement in the 2002 NAP<#PDF_LINK>This feature examines social partner involvement in Austria's 2002 National Action Plan (NAP) for employment. It is one of a set of similar features for all the EU Member States, written in response to a questionnaire.
- 24 Jun 2002
Greece: Social partner involvement in the 2002 NAP<#PDF_LINK>This feature examines social partner involvement in Greece's 2002 National Action Plan (NAP) for employment. It is one of a set of similar features for all the EU Member States, written in response to a questionnaire..
- 24 Jun 2002
Belgium: Social partner involvement in the 2002 NAP<#PDF_LINK>This feature examines social partner involvement in Belgium's 2002 National Action Plan (NAP) for employment. It is one of a set of similar features for all the EU Member States, written in response to a questionnaire.
- 24 Jun 2002
Germany: Social partner involvement in the 2002 NAP<#PDF_LINK>This feature examines social partner involvement in Germany's 2002 National Action Plan (NAP) for employment. It is one of a set of similar features for all the EU Member States, written in response to a questionnaire.
- 21 Jun 2002
United Kingdom: Social partner involvement in the 2002 NAP<#PDF_LINK>This feature examines social partner involvement in the UK's 2002 National Action Plan (NAP) for employment. It is one of a set of similar features for all the EU Member States, written in response to a questionnaire.
- 21 Jun 2002
Ireland: Social partner involvement in the 2002 NAP<#PDF_LINK>This feature examines social partner involvement in Ireland's 2002 National Action Plan (NAP) for employment. It is one of a set of similar features for all the EU Member States, written in response to a questionnaire.
- 21 Jun 2002
EU Countries: Social partner involvement in the 2002 NAPs - background and questionnaire<#PDF_LINK>In May-June 2002, the European Industrial Relations Observatory has examined the involvement of the social partners in the EU Member States' 2002 National Action Plans (NAPs) on employment. Each EIRO national centre has assessed this involvement in a special EIROnline article, drawn up on the basis of a questionnaire. Here we provide the background to this exercise and the questions asked.
- 20 Jun 2002
Poland: Tripartite Commission discusses amendments to Labour Code<#PDF_LINK>Over April-May 2002, Poland's Tripartite Commission has been discussing the government's proposals for amendments to the Labour Code, which seek to reduce labour costs and make labour law more flexible. The debate has seen a number of differences of opinion between the two largest trade unions organisations, NSZZSolidarnośćand OPZZ.
- 17 Jun 2002
Slovakia: New labour legislation implemented<#PDF_LINK>From 1 April 2002, new labour legislation was implemented in the Slovak Republic. A new Labour Code and new labour legislation for the public sector have introduced different employment regulations for business organisations and public organisations, after more than 35 years when a unified Labour Code applied to all employees and employers equally.
- 17 Jun 2002
Slovenia: New labour relations law passed<#PDF_LINK>In late April 2002, the Slovene parliament passed a Law on Labour Relations, which governs individual employment relationships. The new legislation represents an important shift towards theEuropeanisationof Slovene labour law.
- 17 Jun 2002
Norway: New agreements concluded in NAVO sector<#PDF_LINK>On 31 May 2002, a state mediator's proposal for a new collective agreement for the Norwegian hospitals sector was approved by all the major trade unions concerned. New agreements had already been concluded in other parts of bargaining area for semi-privatised organisations covered by the NAVO employers' body.
- 17 Jun 2002
Finland: Finnish social partners issue statement on European employment strategy reform<#PDF_LINK>In June 2002, the Finnish social partners drew up a joint statement expressing their viewpoint on the review of the European employment strategy which is currently under preparation. They unanimously support the reinforcement and simplification of the strategy, and a significant decrease in the number of EU guidelines.
- 14 Jun 2002
EU Countries: 'Economically dependent workers', employment law and industrial relations<#PDF_LINK>The boundaries between dependent employment and self-employment have increasingly become blurred in some areas in recent years, in a context of changing labour markets and the spread of practices such as outsourcing and contracting-out. This process has led to growing interest in economically dependent workers- workers who are formally self-employed but depend on a single employer for their income - and calls from trade unions and other sources for such work to be regulated and social security coverage and employment law protection to be provided. This EIRO comparative study examines the extent and characteristics of employment relationships which may involve such economically dependent workacross the EU and Norway, and provides an overview of the debate on the implications of these developments. The study also looks at the impact of economically dependent workers on industrial relations, and notably on trade union representation and collective bargaining.
- 13 Jun 2002
Portugal: Jobs under threat as government addresses deficit<#PDF_LINK>In May 2002, Portugal's new government announced a number of measures to address the mounting public deficit, including restructuring, a freeze on public service recruitment, the non-renewal of fixed-term contracts and possible greater mobility for civil servants. Trade unions, which believe that 50,000 jobs may be under threat, are seeking negotiations, while organising protests and threatening legal action.
- 12 Jun 2002
Sweden: Occupational injury insurance rules relaxed<#PDF_LINK>In April 2002, the Swedish parliament passed a law reforming the occupational injury insurance scheme. The new legislation relaxes the criteria for having occupational injury compensation claims accepted.
- 12 Jun 2002
Sweden: Unemployment benefits increased<#PDF_LINK>From July 2002, Swedish unemployment benefits will be increased, with raises in both the minimum and maximum daily rates. Trade unions have long called for such increases.
- 12 Jun 2002
Sweden: New pay agreements concluded in government sector<#PDF_LINK>Over April-May 2002, new pay agreements were concluded for the three groups of employees of the Swedish central government - blue-collar workers, white-collar workers and professionals. All three accords run for 2.5 years and will expire in autumn 2004.
- 12 Jun 2002
Spain: Unemployment rises despite changes in calculation method<#PDF_LINK>May 2002 saw the publication of the findings of Spain's EPA labour force survey for the first quarter of 2002. This was the first set of EPA statistics since a number of methodological changes were made as part of a process of greater EU harmonisation. One major and controversial effect of the changes is to narrow the group of people considered as unemployed by the EPA, excluding some 500,000 people from the official figures. However, despite the statistical changes, there was a major rise in unemployment in the first quarter of 2002.
- 12 Jun 2002
Italy: Unions divided as dialogue resumes<#PDF_LINK>On 31 May 2002, negotiations resumed between the Italian government and social partners over the former's reform plans, following a period of intense conflict between the government and trade unions. The parties will negotiate over a range of issues related to the labour market, taxation, the South of Italy andirregular work. However, the Cgil union confederation was not happy with the extent of the government's concessions on its plans to reform dismissal and arbitration rules, and will not participate in the talks on labour market reform.
- 11 Jun 2002
Netherlands: General election result challenges relations between social partners<#PDF_LINK>In the Dutch general election held in May 2002, the ruling coalition of social democratic and liberal parties suffered a major defeat at the hands of the christian democratic CDA and the populist LPF, which are now forming a centre-right coalition government. The result has implications for relationships between the social partners. The likely new coalition has a sympathetic audience among employers' associations, while trade unions fear that cooperation between the social partners will be swept aside.
- 11 Jun 2002
Spain: Unions call general strike over government's unemployment reform<#PDF_LINK>Spanish trade unions have called a 24-hour general strike on 20 June 2002, mainly triggered by opposition to a recent government reform of the unemployment insurance system, which threatens the benefit of unemployed people who do not accept the offer of a suitable job. This is the first general strike call since 1994, and it comes during the Spanish Presidency of the EU and on the eve of the Seville European Council.
- 11 Jun 2002
Denmark: New Act on part-time work adopted after lengthy debate<#PDF_LINK>In June 2002, after months of debate, the new Liberal-Conservative government's amended Act on part-time work was passed in the Danish parliament. The new legislation seeks to make access to part-time work easier, by means including the controversial abolition of restrictions on the use of part-time work laid down in collective agreements. During the parliamentary process, the Minister for Employment made concessions and changed the text of the proposal, but trade unions remain opposed.
- 11 Jun 2002
France: New government consults social partners<#PDF_LINK>France's new interim centre-right government, appointed in May 2002 for the period until the outcome of the general elections in June, has prioritised dialogue with the social partners and sought to deal with the pressing issue of a long-running dispute with general practitioners.
- 11 Jun 2002
France: CFDT holds 45th congress<#PDF_LINK>France's CFDT trade union confederation held its 45th national congress on 27-31 May 2002. François Chérèque was elected as general secretary, succeeding Nicole Notat who was not seeking re-election after 10 years in the post. The report on activities tabled by the outgoing general secretary was endorsed by a large majority of delegates (78%), the statutes were amended and a number of resolutions were adopted.
- 11 Jun 2002
Italy: Troubled Fiat plans new job losses<#PDF_LINK>Following the announcement of very poor financial results for the first quarter of 2002, largely due to problems in its automobile division, the Italian-owned industrial group Fiat adopted a strategic recovery plan in May. The reorganisation programme, which is now subject to discussions with the trade unions, may involve 3,300 redundancies in Italy, with many more jobs likely to be lost in suppliers and service companies.
- 11 Jun 2002
Norway: No merger between NHO and HSH<#PDF_LINK>In May 2002, it was announced that the planned merger between NHO and HSH, Norway's two largest private sector employers' confederations, will not go ahead.
- 11 Jun 2002
EU Level: June Council progresses social policy measures<#PDF_LINK>EU employment and social policy ministers met in Luxembourg on 3 June 2002 to discuss a range of issues, including the proposed Statute for a European Cooperative Society, a proposal for a new Directive on protection against exposure to asbestos, and a Community strategy on health and safety at work.
- 11 Jun 2002
Norway: Corporate merger in finance sector<#PDF_LINK>In late May 2002, Norway's two largest financial institutions, DnB and Storebrand, announced their intention to merge to create one of the largest financial services groups in Scandinavia. It is thought that up to 1,000 jobs may be lost as a result.
- 10 Jun 2002
Germany: Collective agreement signed in printing industry<#PDF_LINK>In May 2002, the ver.di trade union and BVDM employers' association signed a new collective agreement covering 220,000 workers in the German printing industry. While ver.di sees the agreement as a pattern for other industries within the service sector union's jurisdiction, employers criticise the 3.4% pay increase as too high and predict that it will have a negative effect on employment.
- 10 Jun 2002
United Kingdom: Employers welcome government task group report on impact of employment regulation<#PDF_LINK>In May 2002, a report by the government-appointed Better Regulation Task Force argued that current approaches to employment regulation in the UK are damaging business, and called for government departments to pursue alternatives to legislation for achieving policy objectives. Employers' groups welcomed the report.
- 10 Jun 2002
Greece: New agreement signed for banking sector<#PDF_LINK>In May 2002, a new collective agreement was signed for the Greek banking sector. The two-year agreement provides for a total 8% pay increase, plus reduced working hours and increased banking hours.
- 10 Jun 2002
Germany: DGB elects new chair<#PDF_LINK>In late May 2002, Michael Sommer was elected as the new chair of the German Federation of Trade Unions (DGB), succeeding Dieter Schulte who had held the post for eight years. Mr Sommer called for a new programme to achievesocial fairness.
- 10 Jun 2002
Luxembourg: Indexation leads to 2.5% pay rise<#PDF_LINK>From 1 June 2002, all wages, pensions and benefits in Luxembourg have increased by 2.5%, as result of the country's automatic indexation system.
- 10 Jun 2002
France: Agreement on social dialogue in craft industry extended<#PDF_LINK>In late April 2002, the French Minister of Employment and Solidarity controversially opted to extend to the whole craft industry an agreement on the development of social dialogue signed in December 2001 by the Craftwork Employers' Association (UPA) and the five representative trade unions. The other main employers' associations, MEDEF and CGPME, had criticised the agreement - which introduces a new levy on employers - and opposed its extension to companies outside UPA's membership.
- 10 Jun 2002
Spain: Agreement reached on closure of Lear plant<#PDF_LINK>In May 2002, after over three months of dispute, an agreement on the closure of a Lear Corporation cable plant at Cervera in Catalonia, Spain, was concluded by the workers' committee and the company, following mediation by the Catalan regional government. The 928 workers at the plant will received enhanced compensation and be offered various redeployment possibilities.
- 10 Jun 2002
Spain: Homecare workers strike for collective agreement<#PDF_LINK>In April 2002, 500 homecare workers in the Spanish region of Catalonia went on strike in protest at the lack of progress in concluding a collective agreement for the sector and to call for improvements in pay and working conditions.
- 10 Jun 2002
Denmark: Government postpones gender wage statistics requirement<#PDF_LINK>In May 2002, Denmark's new Liberal/Conservative coalition government postponed indefinitely the implementation of a statutory requirement on employers - introduced by the previous Social Democrat-led government - to produce wage statistics broken down by gender with a view to closing the pay gap between women and men. The new government believes that the requirement imposes too great a bureaucratic burden on companies.
- 10 Jun 2002
Austria: Post-bus employees strike against sell-off<#PDF_LINK>On 29 May 2002, the 3,000 employees of Austria's state-owned post-bus company, Postbus AG, held a one-day nationwide strike, closing down a large proportion of the country's regional bus services. The action was directed against the current coalition government's decision to sell Austria's largest bus company to Austrian Federal Railways (ÖBB) and – as a consequence – partially to privatise it.
- 10 Jun 2002
Belgium: Agreement ends prison strikes<#PDF_LINK>On 23 May 2002, the Belgian federal government and trade unions representing prison officers concluded an agreement, bringing to an end an all-out nationwide strike that had begun on 20 May. This strike had been preceded by three 24-hour stoppages. The prison officers obtained satisfaction on the main issues in question, which related chiefly to prison overcrowding and understaffing.
- 10 Jun 2002
Finland: Social partners disagree on conditions for sabbatical leave<#PDF_LINK>In May 2002, a Finnish tripartite working group failed to agree on the conditions to apply to a permanent sabbatical leave scheme, to succeed the current experimental system. Trade unions would have accepted a proposal from the Ministry of Labour, but this fell because of employer resistance. The main issue of contention was the length of prior employment required for employees to be entitled to a sabbatical.
- 10 Jun 2002
Ireland: Key union official raises prospect ofnational strike<#PDF_LINK>In May 2002, a leading official in Ireland's largest trade union, SIPTU, called for workers to engage in a form of national industrial action if employers refuse to negotiate a new centralised pay agreement later in the year.
- 10 Jun 2002
Ireland: Most human resources directors want new national deal<#PDF_LINK>A survey of over 100 human resources directors in multinationals operating in Ireland and in indigenous Irish firms, published in May 2002, shows substantial support for a new social partnership agreement when the current Programme for Prosperity and Fairness (PPF) expires at the end of 2002.
- 06 Jun 2002
EU Countries: EIRO expands coverage to candidate countries<#PDF_LINK>From summer 2002, the European Industrial Relations Observatory is expanding its coverage to include candidate countries for EU membership from central and eastern Europe and the Mediterranean.
- 05 Jun 2002
Italy: New law seeks to regulariseirregular work<#PDF_LINK>In late April 2002, the Italian government approved new legislation which seeks to promote the regularisationof irregular work - ie employment which is not declared for tax and social security purposes and does not observe the pay and conditions laid down by sectoral collective agreements. The new law provides for a three-year period of emergencefrom the underground economy, during which companies and workers involved in irregular work will benefit from tax and social security incentives as they regularise their situation.