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July 2002

• 31 Jul 2002
  Italy: Maternity allowance introduced for 'freelance workers coordinated by an employer'

  Freelance work coordinated by an employer- a form of employment relationship midway between dependent employment and self-employment - has been growing in Italy, and now makes up 9% of all employment. In June 2002, parliament passed a decree which introduces maternity allowances for women engaged in this form of work - unlike women in dependent employment, coordinated freelance workers were not previously entitled to maternity benefit.

• 31 Jul 2002
  Denmark: LO and DA pleased with EU agreement on telework

  The framework agreement on telework concluded by the EU-level social partners on 16 July 2002 was greeted with great satisfaction in Denmark. The fact that the agreement is to be implemented by the social partners themselves, rather than via a Directive, is seen by Danish employers' organisations and trade unions as giving a new impetus to Denmark's model of regulating the labour market through agreements rather than legislation. Denmark has the highest level of teleworking in the EU.

• 30 Jul 2002
  EU Countries: Industrial relations in the candidate countries

  This report examines a number of key aspects of industrial relations in the 10 Central and Eastern European and Mediterranean countries which seem likely to join the European Union in 2004. It focuses on: the general features of collective bargaining; bargaining and social dialogue at sectoral level; bargaining at enterprise level; and employee participation through works councils.

• 30 Jul 2002
  Hungary: New government increases public sector pay and low-wage earners' income

  Hungary's new Socialist-led government has introduced a major package of incomes policy measures. From 1 September 2002, public service employees’ pay will be increased by an average of 50%, while earnings up to the national minimum wage will be exempt from personal income tax, which will raise the income of low-wage earners by around 12%. The amendments to the tax law will increase net wages not only for those earning the minimum wage, but also for a larger group of employees earning less than the national average wage.

• 30 Jul 2002
  Slovakia: New Labour Code takes effect

  In April 2002, a new Labour Code came into force in the Slovak Republic. The new Code lays down the basic rights and obligations of employers and employees in the business sector, covering matters such as employment relationships, pay, working time and collective labour relations. The aim is to meets the requirements of the market economy and balance the interests of employers and employees, while harmonising Slovakian labour legislation with EU law. The social partners have differing views on the new Labour Code.

• 30 Jul 2002
  Poland: Strikes over 1990-2001 examined

  Since the mid-1990s, the number of strikes in Poland has fallen to a low level, with trade unions tending to avoid using thestrike weaponboth in the private sector, where unions are either very weak or absent, and (to a lesser extent) in the public sector, in the light of prevailing economic and labour market conditions. This feature examines the legal regulation of strikes, strike trends and dynamics since 1990.

• 30 Jul 2002
  Portugal: Survey examines child labour

  A study of child labour issued in July 2002 finds that some 49,000 children worked in Portugal in 2001. While overall child labour has risen since 1998, the employment of children in companies has fallen, but is still significant in the textiles, footwear, agriculture and domestic labour sectors. Northern Portugal has the country's highest levels of child labour. New types of child labour that take place within the family or are encouraged by it are emerging which are difficult to control. The study also concludes that entering the job market too early reduces children’s ambitions in terms of their careers and qualifications.

• 29 Jul 2002
  Slovenia: Temporary agency work regulated

  Legislation introducing and regulating temporary agency work will come in force in Slovenia on 1 January 2003. The new regulations seek to both increase the flexibility of the Slovene labour market and provide adequate protection for temporary agency workers.

• 29 Jul 2002
  Slovenia: Economic and Social Council examined

  In April 2002, the Economic and Social Council of Slovenia (ESSS), the country's central body for tripartite cooperation, held its 100th session since its establishment in 1994. We take this opportunity to review the ESSS's scope, powers and operation, finding that it has substantially contributed to the successful implementation of basic economic and social reforms, and that the quality of its work and its importance have increased over time. However, forthcoming changes in the Slovene industrial relations system raise the question of reform of the ESSS.

• 29 Jul 2002
  France: Collective bargaining in 2001 examined

  The Ministry of Labour's report on collective bargaining in France in 2001, published in June 2002, finds that there was stability in the number of sector and company-level agreements signed. Working time remained the central issue in bargaining, but pay was an increasingly important theme in 2001.

• 29 Jul 2002
  Norway: Government issues action plan to combat ethnic discrimination

  In July 2002, Norway's centre-right coalition government issued aplan of action against racism and ethnic discrimination, which aims to combat racism and ethnic discrimination in all areas, including working life. On of the more controversial measures proposed is to make adherence to the principle of non-discrimination a precondition for all subcontractors and suppliers of goods and services to state institutions.

• 26 Jul 2002
  Italy: Government and social partners signPact for Italy

  On 5 July 2002, the Italian government, employers' organisations and trade unions - with the notable exception of the Cgil union confederation - signed a major agreement on: incomes policy and social cohesion;welfare to work(including labour market matters); and investment and employment in the South of Italy. ThisPact for Italyfollowed lengthy negotiations and disputes over the centre-right government's reform plans.

• 24 Jul 2002
  United Kingdom: Educating tomorrow's trade union activists

  This feature focuses on the provision of training for trade union representatives and activists in the UK, particularly the work of the Trades Union Congress's education service, which was relaunched in 2001. New public funding arrangements, due to come into effect in August 2002, are expected to open up opportunities for expanding trade union education provision.

• 24 Jul 2002
  EU Level: New global agreements at Norske Skog and Volkswagen

  June 2002 saw the conclusion of two new global social and labour rights agreements in multinational companies based in Europe. The first, in the form of adeclaration on social rights and industrial relationships, was signed at the German motor manufacturing Volkswagen. The second was at the Norwegian paper multinational, Norske Skog.

• 24 Jul 2002
  France: Varying minimum wage rates to be harmonised

  From 1 July 2002, the French government increased the SMIC national minimum wage by 2.4% . This was the statutory indexation-based increase, with the government having decided not to grant an extra discretionary rise. The 2.4% increase applies only to employees who are still on a 39-hour week, with those on a 35-hour week receiving only a 1.8% rise. The government is now seeking to harmonise the multiple SMIC rates which have existed since the adoption of the legislation introducing the 35-hour week, with the social partners divided over whether the harmonisation should be upwards or downwards.

• 24 Jul 2002
  Belgium: Unions concerned about liberalisation of port services

  In June 2002, the EU Transport Council agreed a common position on a draft Directive on market access to port services, aimed at breaking up monopolies in port services. The text of the Directive approved by the Council is considerably watered down compared with earlier proposals, especially in terms of allowingself-handling- ie loading and unloading by a ship's own staff instead of by dockworkers. Belgian dockworkers are, however, very anxious about the country's Dock Work Act, which reserves loading and unloading for approved dockworkers, being circumvented. On 7 June they held a 24-hour strike. Further action can be expected when the draft Directive goes to the next stage of the legislative procedure in the European Parliament.

• 24 Jul 2002
  Belgium: New employment-related measures come into force

  A number of new employment-related measures came into force in Belgium on 1 July 2002. These are: a scheme to help young people start up in business; a scheme aimed at paying allowances to young people who undergo training; an extension of paternity leave; the introduction of paid breaks for breastfeeding, and legislation aimed at combatingmoralharassment (bullying) and sexual harassment at the workplace.

• 23 Jul 2002
  Ireland: Better childcare and public transport seen as vital for work-life balance

  A new study presented in Ireland in June 2002 suggests that improvements in childcare and public transport, and the reduction of working time pressures, are vital if working parents are to manage the demands of work and home. The report is based on a survey of working parents in Ireland, Denmark, France and Italy.

• 23 Jul 2002
  Spain: Court rulings recognise bullying as 'occupational risk'

  Over 2001 and 2002,bullying,mobbing, ormoral/psychological harassmentat work has been the subject of great debate in Spain. Alongside increasing media coverage, several recent court rulings have recognised bullying as anoccupational risk, and thus covered by the compensation for occupational illnesses and industrial accidents. Trade unions have taken a number of initiatives in this area, while various items of legislation have been proposed to combat the problem.

• 23 Jul 2002
  Germany: Interim report on 2002 collective bargaining round

  In July 2002, the WSI research institute presented an interim report on Germany's 2002 collective bargaining round. The study evaluates collective agreements concluded in the first half of 2002, affecting about 38% of all employees covered by an agreement. The average increase in wages and salaries will be around 2.9% in 2002, which is significantly higher than the pay increases of 2.1% in 2001 and 2.4% in 2000.

• 23 Jul 2002
  EU Level: Social partners sign teleworking accord

  In July 2002, the central EU-level social partners signed a framework agreement on the regulation of telework. The accord, which will be implemented by the members of the signatory parties, regulates areas such as employment conditions for teleworkers, health and safety, training and collective rights. It also provides a definition of telework.

• 23 Jul 2002
  EU Level: Commission launches new strategy on corporate social responsibility

  In July 2002, the European Commission launched a new EU-level strategy on the development of corporate social responsibility (CSR). The strategy will sit alongside a range of existing projects and help to improve the transparency and credibility of CSR initiatives. It sets up amulti-stakeholder forumwhich will seek to establish a common EU-level approach to CSR. It also focuses on the needs of small and medium-sized enterprises.

• 23 Jul 2002
  Austria: New night work legislation applies to both women and men

  In July 2002, the Austrian parliament adopted new legislation on night work to replace the existing ban on night work for women, which must be abolished due to EU law. However, the new law, regulating night work in a gender-neutral manner, provides reduced protection for female employees in comparison with the former legislation, and does not meet the demands of trade unions

• 11 Jul 2002
  Italy: Agreement reached on Telecom Italia's industrial plan

  In May 2002, an important agreement was reached by company management and trade unions on the Telecom Italia group's 2002-4 industrial plan. The deal covers key issues, such as employment levels and a new mix of occupations and skills in the group - to be accomplished through a combination of departures and new recruitment - guidelines for investments and development, and continuing education and training policies. The agreement also confirms the participatory system of industrial relations introduced in the group in 2000.

• 11 Jul 2002
  Italy: Confindustria calls for reforms to boost Italy's competitiveness

  At the annual assembly of Confindustria, Italy's main employers' confederation, held in May 2002, the programme for the next two years presented by its president, Antonio D'Amato, was approved by a large majority. At the meeting, Confindustria stressed the crucial importance for Italy's competitiveness of reforms, especially of the labour market.

• 11 Jul 2002
  Netherlands: First strike held in ICT sector

  June 2002 saw the first strike to be held in the Dutch information and communications technology (ICT) sector, when employees at Getronics held a one-day strike over a pay dispute. The current wave of restructuring and redundancies in the sector has also prompted unrest among employees in other ICT companies.

• 11 Jul 2002
  Italy: Agreement signed for air traffic controllers

  In June 2002, an agreement on various pay and flexibility issues was signed by trade unions and Italy's National Air Traffic Control Agency. The agreement should open the way for the renewal of the national collective agreement for air traffic controllers, which expired in December 2001.

• 11 Jul 2002
  Portugal: Social partners seek solutions to crisis in textiles and footwear industries

  In summer 2002, the Portuguese textiles and footwear industries are facing a crisis, with large numbers of company closures and relocations and many job losses. The sector's social partners , and especially trade unions, are demanding local, regional and national solutions from the government.

• 11 Jul 2002
  Portugal: Portuguese air traffic controllers and fishing workers oppose EU policies

  In June 2002, Portuguese air traffic controllers and fishing workers took action in protest at EU proposals - to create a single European airspace and reform the common fisheries policy respectively. It is feared that both proposals would have a particularly negative impact in Portugal.

• 11 Jul 2002
  Portugal: New basic law on social security under debate

  In July 2002, the Portuguese government was due to submit a proposed new basic law on social security to parliament. Trade union were critical of the way in which discussions on the proposal were conducted and believe that it will have negative effects on the future solvency of the public social security system. The CGTP union confederation is particularly opposed to the government's reform plans.

• 10 Jul 2002
  Slovenia: Tripartite private sector pay policy agreement concluded for 2002-4

  In June 2002, the Slovene government and social partners signed an agreement on private sector pay policy for the period 2002-4, which is due to be enacted by legislation. Under the deal, pay rises will be linked to increases in consumer prices, while from 2004 pay will be adjusted in a new way aimed at helping Slovenia make a smooth transition to EU membership. The pay policy agreement will form part of a forthcoming broadersocial agreement.

• 10 Jul 2002
  Germany: New pay agreements signed in steel industry

  In June 2002, the IG Metall trade union and the Arbeitgeberverband Stahl employers' association reached a new 15-month pay settlement for the 85,000 employees in the west German steel industry, providing for a 3.6% pay increase. The same agreement was later adopted for the 10,000 employees in the east German steel industry.

• 10 Jul 2002
  Slovakia: Real wages finally increase again

  According to official statistical data, the average monthly wage in Slovakia increased by 1.1% in real terms in 2001, following two years of falls in real wages. However, the real level of average wages has still not returned to the level recorded in 1989. The positive development in real wages continued in the first quarter of 2002.

• 10 Jul 2002
  Poland: Bankruptcy of the Szczecin Shipyard

  In June 2002, Poland's Szczecin Shipyard - formerly held up as example of successful privatisation - went into bankruptcy, faced with massive debts and other problems. The future of the company's 6,000 employees is uncertain, and its failure will have knock-on effects throughout the economy.

• 10 Jul 2002
  Slovenia: Unions demand measures to address construction industry's problems

  In May 2002, on the initiative of the SDGDS construction workers' trade union, the Economic and Social Council of Slovenia (ESSS) discussed the urgent problems of the Slovene construction industry, SDGDS wants to prevent the current wave of dismissals in this sector, along with a deterioration in pay and working conditions. Both employers and unions have called for government action to support the ailing construction industry. The ESSS set up a tripartite working group to examine the matter.

• 10 Jul 2002
  Italy: Negotiations continue between social partners and government

  During June 2002, negotiations continued between the Italian government and social partner organisations over the former's reform proposals for the labour market and other areas. However, the Cgil trade union confederation announced its intention to collect signatures to enable it to propose two laws and hold two referenda to revoke parts of the government's labour market reform, and to take a case to the Constitutional Court to have the government's proposed changes to Article 18 of the Workers' Statute (relating to the reinstatement of unfairly dismissed workers) declared unconstitutional. The divisions between the unions have become more marked, with the Cisl and Uil confederations prepared to sign an agreement with the government under certain conditions.

• 10 Jul 2002
  France: Jacques Freidel resigns CGPME presidency

  In June 2002, Jacques Freidel, the president of France's CGPME small and medium-sized employers' organisation, resigned after an internal dispute lasting several months. The organisation's deputy president will see it through the interim period until a new president is elected. The context of the resignation is continuing changes in the pattern of employers' representation.

• 10 Jul 2002
  France: Unemployment insurance cutbacks agreed

  In June 2002, French employers' organisations and some trade unions agreed economy measures aimed at balancing the books of the UNEDIC unemployment insurance scheme, which they manage jointly. The agreed measures include increases in contributions and cuts in benefit, aimed at dealing with a mounting deficit in UNEDIC. The CGT and CGT-FO union confederations refused to sign the agreement.

• 10 Jul 2002
  France: Month-long strike at Lustucru

  Following the recent acquisition of Lustucru pasta, flour and rice plants in France from the Skalli group by Paribas Affaires Industrielles, the major shareholder in the Panzani pasta company, some of the Lustucru operations must be sold off to a third party to avoid a possible monopoly situation for Panzani. The workforce at the Lustucru plants in Marseilles and Arles, fearing their jobs might be in jeopardy, went on strike between 13 May and 13 June 2002, at the instigation of the CGT trade union. The strikers returned to work following the negotiation of a financial package with management.

• 10 Jul 2002
  France: Anti-redundancy mobilisation in Soissons

  In mid-2002, the town of Soissons has seen considerable mobilisation of the area's employees and inhabitants after the announcement of 650 redundancies, following many job losses over the past few years. The authorities and local politicians have floated a plan for economic restructuring and redeploying employees.

• 10 Jul 2002
  Spain: General strike held on 20 June

  Spanish trade unions organised a 24-hour general strike on 20 June 2002 in protest at the government's reform of unemployment benefit. There was major disagreement between the unions and the government about the number of workers who supported the strike, and conflict over the provision of minimum public services during the action.

• 10 Jul 2002
  Greece: Union proposals for implementation of EU fixed-term work Directive

  In late June 2002, Greece's GSEE trade union confederation, along with a number of other organisations, called for a nationwide rally on 4 July 2002 to demand permanent employment for all workers with fixed-term employment contracts, along with immediate implementation of the 1999 EU Directive on fixed-term work.

• 09 Jul 2002
  United Kingdom: British and Italian employers criticise EU social policy

  In June 2002, prior to the Seville European Council, the British and Italian employers' organisations, CBI and Confindustria, published a joint statement criticising the current direction of EU social policy.

• 09 Jul 2002
  United Kingdom: New chair and terms of reference for Low Pay Commission

  In June 2002, the UK government appointed former employers' leader Adair Turner to chair the Low Pay Commission. The Commission has been asked to report to ministers by the end of February 2003 with recommendations on the level of the national minimum wage.

• 09 Jul 2002
  Austria: Parliament passes reform of severance pay

  In June 2002, the Austrian parliament adopted a government bill reforming the severance pay system, based largely on proposals drawn up by the social partners. The reform will extend the scheme's coverage to an additional 800,000 employees, though payments will be lower than previously. However, experts believe that the government's assumption of a net yield of 6% from the investment of severance pay contributions (paid by employers into special funds) will probably not hold.

• 09 Jul 2002
  Germany: New collective agreement signed in insurance

  In June 2002, the collective bargaining parties in the German insurance sector reached a new 16-month pay agreement which provides for a 3.5% pay increase.

• 09 Jul 2002
  Luxembourg: Working time agreement signed for private bus drivers

  A new collective agreement signed in June 2002 in Luxembourg's private bus transport sector provides that drivers will receive at least seven hours' pay for an 11-hour daily period of availability to work. Previously, they were paid only for hours actually worked.

• 09 Jul 2002
  Belgium: Childcare key to 'employment trap' for young mothers

  A study by Belgium's bipartite consultative Central Economic Council, published in May 2002, has highlighted the financial and organisational difficulties faced by the mothers of young children when they attempt to enter the labour market. At the heart of this problem lies the inadequacy of facilities for looking after young children. The French-speaking Community has promised to increase the supply of childcare by 2010.

• 09 Jul 2002
  Ireland: Equality Authority caseload up by 800%

  According to its annual report issued in June 2002, the caseload of Ireland's Equality Authority increased by over 800% in 2001. Discrimination on gender grounds still constitutes the largest category of cases referred to the Authority.

• 09 Jul 2002
  Denmark: Dansteel closes with loss of 1,100 jobs

  In June 2002, the Danish scrap steel recycling company Dansteel submitted a winding-up petition, having accumulated major losses. The firm's 1,100 employees have been dismissed and it is expected that the whole Frederiksværk region will be affected by the closure. The government is seeking to mitigate the negative effects through an employment and training programme for the redundant workers.

• 09 Jul 2002
  Denmark: Major new services employers' organisation created

  Three Danish service sector employers' organisations merged on 1 July 2002 to create Commerce, Transport and Service (HTS). The new body represents some 10,000 companies.

• 09 Jul 2002
  EU Level: Commission consults on supplementary pensions

  In June 2002, as part of its drive to increase freedom of movement within the European Union, the European Commission launched the first stage of consultations with the EU-level social partners on the transferability of supplementary pension provision.

• 09 Jul 2002
  EU Level: Air traffic controllers stage international action

  Air traffic controllers held a day of industrial action around Europe on 19 June 2002, in protest against the European Commission's plans to create a single European airspace.

• 09 Jul 2002
  Ireland: Benchmarking body recommends public sector pay awards

  July 2002 saw the publication of the report of the Public Service Benchmarking Body (PSBB), set up to establish fair comparisons between the pay of public service workers and similar groups in the private sector. It recommends public sector pay increases averaging 8.9%. The payment of the awards recommended by the PSBB will be a key factor in the negotiation of a new national agreement later in 2002.

• 04 Jul 2002
  Sweden: Committee proposes five more days of leave

  The report of Sweden's governmental working time committee, issued in June 2002, calls for new legislation to give all workers an additional five days of leave per year, to be introduced in stages by 2007. It also proposes measures to give workers more influence over their working time. The report has generally been welcomed by trade unions but rejected by employers.

• 04 Jul 2002
  Netherlands: Subsidised employment under fire

  As negotiations over the formation of a new right-wing coalition government proceed in May-June 2002, it seems likely that the new Dutch administration will radically restructure the current system of subsidised employment for groups such as long-term unemployed people and people with disabilities. There is a widespread consensus on the need for change in this area, with some favouring modernisation of the system and others its abolition.

• 04 Jul 2002
  Netherlands: Unions face financial problems as representativeness issue resurfaces

  In 2001, overall trade union membership in the Netherlands fell slightly, despite attempts to attract new members, prompting questions again to be raised about their representativeness. At the same time, financial problems are besetting some unions, notably FNV Bondgenoten, the largest union in the private sector, while the FNV confederation's invested capital has shrunk and questions have been asked about the ethicality of its investments. One new way of attracting members, proposed by the FNV chair in May 2002, is for unions to seek to represent the inerests of illegal workers.

• 04 Jul 2002
  Poland: Industrial relations in SMEs examined

  Private small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Poland employ more than half of the country's workforce. They differ in many ways from public sector enterprises in terms of their employees, pay levels and industrial relations. Trade unions are very rarely present in private SMEs and employees thus often lack collective representation. Employers frequently breach both tax and labour law, but without any protests from the workers. These are among the finding of research into private SMEs conducted over 1999-2002.

• 03 Jul 2002
  Italy: Survey examines child labour

  In June 2002, on the occasion of the firstworld day against child labour, Italy's Istat statistical institute presented a study on the subject. It finds that in Italy there are some 150,000 children aged between seven and 14 who work, including around 32,000 who are subject to exploitation. Child labour is more common in the more economically developed regions of the country.

• 03 Jul 2002
  Spain: Unemployment reform may have adverse effects on women

  In May 2002, the Spanish government approved a Royal Decree reforming unemployment benefit and public employment services, prompting trade unions to call a one-day general strike on 20 June. Statistical evidence suggests that some elements of the reform may have adverse effects on the position of unemployed women

• 03 Jul 2002
  Spain: Mediation ends municipal bus workers strike in Barcelona

  At the beginning of June 2002, a binding decision issued by a mediator appointed by the regional government put an end to an indefinite strike by municipal bus workers in Barcelona. The dispute had escalated to the point of leaving the city without bus transport, as a result of the distance between the workers' demands and the employer's offer, and of the minimum service requirements imposed by the authorities (which were ignored by the strikers).

• 02 Jul 2002
  Hungary: Victorious MSZP promises comprehensive reform of industrial relations system

  Following Hungary's April 2002 election, the victorious Hungarian Socialist Party (MSZP) is forming a coalition government with the Alliance of Free Democrats (SZDSZ). MSZP's campaign programme promised a comprehensive reform of the Hungarian industrial relations system, which includes revoking almost all of the controversial decisions to abolish a number of institutions taken by the previous right-wing government. The MSZP programme consists of four major package, which aim to: reinforce the state institutional network dealing with labour market issues; reconstruct the national-level tripartite social dialogue; reinforce the sectoral social dialogue and collective bargaining; and strengthen the position of workplace-level trade union sections.

• 02 Jul 2002
  France: General practitioners obtain fee increases

  Following a dispute which began in late 2001, on 5 June 2002, French sickness insurance funds and general practitioners' trade unions signed an agreement on consultation fees, increasing the basic fee from EUR 18.5 to EUR 20. The government had been pressing for such a deal. During the dispute, some doctors had engaged in forms of industrial action which directly challenged the very principle of the sickness insurance fund system. Some parties in the dispute believe that the June agreement opens the way for an overhaul of the relationship between the sickness insurance funds and healthcare professionals, while others view it as anarmistice, which fails to address any of the substantive issues.

• 02 Jul 2002
  Spain: CEOE evaluates collective bargaining in 2001

  In its review of collective bargaining in 2001, published in mid-2002, the Spanish Confederation of Employers' Organisations (CEOE) finds that slow progress is being made in aspects of bargaining of particular interest to CEOE. These include new forms of occupational classification, pay and working time flexibility and regulation of the use of information technology.

• 02 Jul 2002
  Spain: Controversy over government's unemployment benefit reform

  In May 2002, following the failure of negotiations with the social partners on the issue, the Spanish government approved a Royal Decree reforming unemployment benefit and public employment services. The aim of the measures is to mobilise the supply side of the labour market, in line with the European employment strategy. The reforms include making receipt of unemployment benefit subject to various job-seeking conditions. Trade unions responded by calling a general strike on 20 June.

• 02 Jul 2002
  Norway: Crisis hits Norwegian civil aviation

  The terrorist attacks on the USA on 11 September 2001 hit Norwegian civil aviation hard. The period from September 2001 to early summer 2002 have seen significant reductions in passenger numbers and a dramatic loss of income for most airlines, with substantial redundancies. The crisis was also instrumental in bringing about the controversial takeover by SAS, the largest airline in Norway, of Braathens, the second-largest.

• 01 Jul 2002
  Sweden: Social partner involvement in the 2002 NAP

  This feature examines social partner involvement in Sweden'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.

• 01 Jul 2002
  Greece: 10 years of the Mediation and Arbitration Service reviewed

  At the beginning of 2002, Greece's Mediation and Arbitration Service (OMED) completed 10 years of activity in the field of resolving collective labour disputes. This feature analyses the main mediation and arbitration services offered by OMED, the main trends and the results achieved over 1992-2001.

• 01 Jul 2002
  Germany: Agreement reached in construction after strike

  On 25 June 2002, after seven days of strike action, the bargaining parties in the German construction industry reached a new collective agreement. The agreement provides for a two-stage pay increase - 3.2% from September 2002 and 2.4% from April 2003 - and employees in western Germany also receive a lump-sum payment of EUR 75 each month from June to August 2002. Furthermore, increases were agreed in minimum wages in eastern and western Germany, while the IG BAU trade union's demand for a second minimum wage for skilled workers was successful and this higher rate will be introduced from September 2003. The deal is now subject to approval by the members of the signatory organisations.

• 01 Jul 2002
  Denmark: Social partners and government sign agreement on integration of immigrants

  In late May 2002, the Danish social partners and municipalities concluded an agreement with the government on stronger measures to integrate immigrants and refugees into the labour market. The accord establishes a three-stage integration procedure, involving work experience and training as a preparation for normal employment. The context is that large numbers of immigrants and refugees are outside the labour market at a time when labour shortages are looming.

• 01 Jul 2002
  Germany: IG Metall debates 'manifesto for the future'

  In June 2002, Germany's IG Metall metalworkers' trade union held acongress on the futureto discuss itsmanifesto for the future. The union's aim is to define new policies and strategies for the years to come. Drawing a large audience of some 800 union activists and academics, the meeting discussed a wide range of subjects but most prominently focused on issues relating to collective bargaining, working time policies and welfare state reform. In autumn 2003, most of these issues will be put to a vote by the delegates at IG Metall's national congress.

• 01 Jul 2002
  France: Disputes mount over precarious employment and low wages in high-street retail and services

  From autumn 2001 to early summer 2002, several French high-street retailers, fast-food restaurants and other service sector companies have been hit by strike action, notably in Paris. The employees, often young people, have been protesting against the precarious status of their employment and their low wages. Although these areas of employment often have no trade union tradition, the strikes have frequently used existing union structures.

• 01 Jul 2002
  Austria: Restructuring provokes unrest among public sector workers

  During 2002, public sector restructuring measures taken or planned by Austria's coalition government of the conservative ÖVP and populist FPÖ have provoked growing unrest among public employees, especially in the schools, universities and police. In response, the Union of Public Employees (GÖD) has announced its willingness to organise industrial action.

• 01 Jul 2002
  Hungary: Trade union membership falls further

  Trade union membership in Hungary has been continuously decreasing in recent years. According to figures published in May 2002 by the Hungarian Tax and Financial Control Administration, the number of people contributing some of their income to any of the trade unions fell by 6% from 2000 to 2001.

• 01 Jul 2002
  Norway: 2002 bargaining brings high wage increases and few conflicts

  Most Norwegian collective agreements were renegotiated in the first half of 2002. The new agreements in the private, public and semi-public sectors generate annual wage increases of between 5% and 6% in most cases. There was little industrial conflict during the bargaining round.