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October 2002

• 31 Oct 2002
  EU Countries: Coûts de la main - d'œuvre - mise à jour annuelle 2001

  La présente mise à jour a pour objet l'examen des niveaux et tendances des coûts de main-d'œuvre dans l'Union Européenne (plus la Norvège) pour la période 1999-2001. Les données nationales se sont révélées très fragmentaires, particulièrement en termes de niveau absolu de coûts de main-d'œuvre, ceci en dépit de l'apport d'Eurostat et d'autres sources. Globalement, les coûts horaires moyens totaux de la main-d'œuvre varient d'un facteur de quatre parmi les 16 pays étudiés, l'Allemagne, l'Autriche, la Belgique, le Danemark, la Norvège et la Suède présentant les coûts les plus élevés, tandis que les coûts les plus faibles sont pratiqués en Italie, Espagne, Grèce et Portugal. En moyenne, la rémunération directe représente entre les deux tiers et les trois quarts des coûts totaux de main-d'œuvre (selon le système de mesure), les cotisations sociales des employeurs étant le deuxième élément par ordre d'importance ; la structure des coûts de main-d'œuvre varie néanmoins très nettement entre les pays. Au cours des dernières années, la tendance à l'augmentation des coûts horaires de la main-d'œuvre s'est affirmée, le taux moyen d'augmentation passant de 3,3 % en 1999 à 3,8 % en 2000 et à 4,3 % en 2001. Les coûts de main-d'œuvre sont généralement plus élevés dans l'industrie de fabrication et l'intermédiation financière.

• 30 Oct 2002
  Denmark: Labour market reform agreed

  In October 2002, the Danish parliament approved a government proposal for a labour market reform plan entitledbringing more people into employment. The aim is to create a simplified single system of measures aimed at getting unemployed people back into work, to replace the previous dual system of separate provision for those with and without unemployment insurance. The Danish Employers' Confederation (DA) and the Confederation of Danish Trade Unions (LO) are generally positive over the reform, but the General Workers' Union (SiD) is very critical.

• 30 Oct 2002
  Portugal: Major labour law reform in prospect

  In October 2002, debate intensified in Portugal over the government's proposal for a Labour Code, which would replace most current labour legislation by bringing existing provisions together in a single text. At the same time, current provisions would be amended in a variety of areas, including employee representative structures, collective bargaining procedures and dispute-resolution mechanisms. Indeed, the proposed Code could result in the most sweeping changes to Portuguese industrial relations, and especially collective bargaining, for nearly 30 years. While employers generally support the proposals, trade unions are strongly opposed, and the possibility of a general strike has been raised.

• 29 Oct 2002
  Italy: Crisis at Fiat Auto worsens

  Faced with mounting financial difficulties in its automobile division, in October 2002, the Italian industrial group Fiat announced a new restructuring programme, only months after launching an earlier plan. The latest measures could result in 8,100 employees losing their jobs at Fiat Auto. The trade unions have been highly critical of the plan and have begun to mobilise for industrial action.

• 29 Oct 2002
  Hungary: Major amendment of Labour Code comes into effect

  A major amendment to Hungary's Labour Code came into effect on 1 September 2002. The amendment, supported by the new left-wing government, has considerably strengthened the rights of local trade union sections and diminished the rights of statutory works councils. Furthermore, the amendment has revised some of the most controversial changes made to the Code in 2001, by curtailing a number of the flexibility measures introduced by the previous right-wing government. The new amendment has been fully supported by the trade unions, while employers' associations have criticised both the law-making process and the partial curtailment of flexibility in working time and other areas.

• 29 Oct 2002
  Poland: Unemployment benefits examined

  High levels of unemployment have emerged as Poland has developed a market economy. In the first years of economic transformation, the government introduced relatively high unemployment benefits, but over the years unemployment policy has changed considerably. Unemployment benefit levels have been cut, the criteria for entitlement tightened, and the period of receipt of benefit reduced. Unemployed people now receive support at subsistence level and are simultaneously encouraged to seek a job. Furthermore, the restructuring of major sectors of the economy has meant large-scale job losses, forcing the government to realign its social insurance policy and introduce a variety of allowances (such aspre-pensionablebenefits). This feature examines the development of unemployment benefits in Poland from 1989 to 2002.

• 29 Oct 2002
  Poland: Collective agreements in focus

  At the end of 2001, some 9,000 collective agreements were in force in Poland - in almost all cases single-establishment agreements. Multi-establishment agreements are rare and the conclusion of agreements is much more common in the public sector than in the private sector. This feature examines the development of collective agreements and their legal regulation since the 1970s, and outlines current bargaining practice.

• 29 Oct 2002
  Poland: Forms of employment contract reviewed

  Polish law provides for various types of employment relationship, based on contracts regulated by the Labour Code and by the Civil Code. In recent years, civil law contracts have been used increasingly, largely because of the lower level of obligations placed on the employer. Amendments made to the Labour Code in 2002 have sought to prohibit the widespread practice of replacing contracts of employment with civil law contracts.

• 29 Oct 2002
  Poland: The dynamics of unemployment from 1990 to 2002

  Unemployment emerged and grew rapidly in Poland as a result of the transformation of the political system in 1989, the rationalisation of the economy and the decrease in the demand for Polish products in the former Soviet countries. It developed in three phases, growing rapidly over 1990-3, then declining in 1994-9, only to rise again in 1998-2002. The registered unemployment rate was 18.1% at the end of March 2002, while the total unemployment rate stood at 20.3%. Unemployment is particularly high among the inhabitants of rural areas and young people. Hopes for improving the situation in the labour market lie with future economic growth, flexible labour laws and development of the private services sector.

• 29 Oct 2002
  Slovakia: Collective bargaining procedures, structures and scope

  Collective bargaining is a well developed and important part of industrial relations in Slovakia, with around half of the workforce covered by sector/branch level collective agreements. This feature outlines the legal provisions on bargaining procedures and structures, and looks at the current situation in terms of the number and level of agreements concluded and their contents.

• 28 Oct 2002
  Netherlands: KLM and unions agree on test case trial for wildcat strikers

  In July 2002, ground engineers at KLM, the Dutch airline, took wildcat strike action in support of a pay claim, leading the company to threaten legal action against them for damages. In October, KLM agreed with three trade unions (FNV, CNV and De Unie) that a test case on such individual liability for damages, involving four of the strikers, should be taken to court. However, the Dutch Association of Ground Engineers (NVLT) has rejected this agreement.

• 28 Oct 2002
  Norway: Tight state budget proposed for 2003

  The 2003 state budget proposal put forward by the Norwegian government in October 2002 is in many quarters regarded as tight in terms of spending. The proposal has been criticised by political parties both to the right and left of the centre-right coalition government as well as by the trade unions. Employers, on the other hand, are by and large satisfied with the proposed budget.

• 28 Oct 2002
  Spain: Study examines SMEs

  The findings of a survey of Spanish small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) was published in summer 2002. It examines the nature of Spanish SMEs and how they adapt to a changing competitive environment, compared with similar firms in other EU countries. The issues covered include industrial relations and recruitment. Employers are optimistic about maintaining and creating jobs, but call for relations of cooperation and trust with workers.

• 28 Oct 2002
  Poland: The development of the national Tripartite Commission

  Poland's Tripartite Commission for Social and Economic Issues was established as a forum for national social dialogue in 1994, under aState Enterprise Pactinvolving the government and trade unions. Initially, the weakness of the employers’ representation (especially of the private sector employers) and conflict between the NSZZ Solidarność and OPZZ trade unions were major obstacles to the work of the Tripartite Commission. This conflict and the involvement of the trade unions in direct political activity hampered the work of the Commission for some years. However, since 2001 the present left-wing coalition government has introduced new legal regulations and revitalised the Commission. Despite some problems, the body is now functioning relatively well.

• 28 Oct 2002
  Norway: Committee reviews legal framework for working life

  In autumn 2002, a public committee is reviewing the Norwegian Act relating to Worker Protection and the Working Environment, and is to put forward a proposal for new legislation relating to working life by 1 December 2003. The purposes of the committee's work include simplifying and modernising the Act in areas such as working time, temporary employment, the psycho-social/organisational work environment, and the respective roles of law, collective agreements and individual agreements.

• 28 Oct 2002
  Netherlands: Supervisory body for occupational pension funds issues more stringent rules

  Falling share prices have recently resulted in serious losses for Dutch occupational pension funds, placing pensions cover in jeopardy. Additionally, pension funds appear to have been used by many companies during the recent years of economic prosperity not solely for the purposes of paying out pensions. Pensioners fear that this has placed future payments from the funds in question and threatened indexation of pensions. Former employees of various companies have thus instituted legal proceedings against their former employers. In September 2002, the supervisory body for pension funds, the PVK, joined the ranks of the critics and issued stringent new rules governing fund administration.

• 28 Oct 2002
  Finland: Social partners start negotiations on incomes policy agreement

  In October 2002, Finland's central trade union and employers' organisations started talks over a new national incomes policy agreement. The unions want a two-year agreement which will increase wage costs by 3.7%-3.8% in 2003 and 3.4%-3.5% in 2004. The employers have stated their hopes for agreed pay increases of 1.0%-1.5% per year. The unions are also making a number of demands related to working time, to which the employers are opposed. The negotiations are likely to be difficult, as the parties' goals are far apart.

• 25 Oct 2002
  Slovenia: The development and current situation of trade unions

  This feature outlines the development of trade unions in Slovenia from the 19th century to the present, before looking at the situation in 2002. It examines: the current legal framework for trade unions; trade union structure; the main organisations; and union density.

• 25 Oct 2002
  Greece: New study examines employment and industrial relations

  In October 2002, the findings of a survey on employment and industrial relations in Greece were released. The survey of over 2,000 companies, carried out by INE/GSEE, examined the structure, composition and development of employment, and policies conducted in the areas of employment, working time, pay and flexibility. The study also sought to evaluate the impact of recent legislative changes in these areas.

• 25 Oct 2002
  Spain: SEAT moves 10% of Ibiza production to Slovakia

  In September 2002, Volkswagen announced that it is to transfer 10% of the production of the Ibiza model from the SEAT plant in Martorell, Spain to Bratislava, Slovakia. It had earlier shifted Polo production to Slovakia. The company stated that the latest move was due to failure to reach agreement on increased working time flexibility with the Martorell workers' committee, though commentators also point to the attractions of Slovakia's low pay and qualified workforce. The trade unions represented on the workers' committee were divided over the strategy to adopt over management's flexibility demands.

• 25 Oct 2002
  Ireland: Income gap widened during economic boom

  In a publication issued in October 2002, the independent research body, the Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI), confirmed that the gap between the highest and lowest earners in Ireland widened during the years of economic boom between 1995 and 2001. Although absolute or consistent poverty has declined, relative poverty is still prevalent

• 24 Oct 2002
  Italy: Statistics highlight gender aspect of workplace accidents

  Official figures on workplace accidents in Italy in 2001 were published in summer 2002. A noteworthy feature to emerge from the statistics is that men have many more accidents at work than women. In part this is due to men's higher labour market participation - and indeed the number of accidents involving women is rising as they enter the the workforce in greater numbers. However, some of the disparity between men and women may result from gender-based occupational segregation.

• 24 Oct 2002
  Spain: Controversy over fatal industrial accidents in Catalonia

  An unusual concentration of fatal industrial accidents in Spain's Catalonia region in July and August 2002 caused widespread public concern. Due to the media coverage that these accidents received, and pressure from the trade unions, the Catalan authorities promised to take a number of measures to reduce risks at work. Meanwhile, regional employers' organisations defended themselves against accusations that the high level of workplace accidents is essentially their fault.

• 24 Oct 2002
  Germany: Unions take up immigration issues

  In October 2002, Germany's Unified Service Sector Union (ver.di) is holding a special conference aimed at developing new trade union demands in support of migrant workers. This reflects a growing interest in the issue among German unions. While recent government efforts to introduce a new legislative basis for targeted immigration and improve the integration of immigrants are currently in legal limbo, the DGB union federation is reaching out to other pro-immigration organisations in order to put immigration issues high on the agenda. Recent research indicates, however, that the increasing diversity of immigrants’ employment relationships will make it more difficult for unions to recruit among the migrant population.

• 24 Oct 2002
  France: Employees respond to privatisation moves at EDF and GDF

  In summer 2002, the French government announced that the state-owned electricity and gas utilities, EDF and GDF, are to have their status changed, in advance of opening up their capital to private investors. In October, EDF and GDF employees turned out in force at a rally called by trade unions to defend the workers' current status and pension scheme. The terms for the privatisation of EDF and GDF and the approach to the thorny issue of the industry’s specific pension scheme are to be set out by the government in early 2003.

• 24 Oct 2002
  Luxembourg: Building sector training institute established

  In September 2002, the forthcoming establishment of a training institute for the Luxembourg building industry was announced. The creation of the new body was provided for by a collective agreement signed in 2000. The institute, which will offer skills training at four levels, will be funded by a mandatory annual levy of 0.65% of total paybill on the enterprises in the sector.

• 24 Oct 2002
  EU Level: New report examines situation of women and men in the EU

  A new report, issued jointly by Eurostat and the European Commission in October 2002, provides a number of statistics relating to the employment of men and women in the EU. One of the most notable is the fact that the gender pay gap remains significant – on average, women earn 87% of male hourly earnings in the public sector, a figure which falls to 82% in the private sector.

• 24 Oct 2002
  Sweden: New government sets out priorities

  Following Sweden's general election held on 15 September 2002, the Social Democratic Party has again formed a minority government, supported by the Left and Green parties. The new government will make tackling ill-health a key priority, along with more support for immigrants, and a number of changes to employment law are planned.

• 24 Oct 2002
  Norway: ECHR rejects compulsory arbitration case

  The European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) decided in June 2002 to rule inadmissible a complaint brought against the Norwegian government by the Norwegian Federation of Offshore Workers’ Trade Unions. Although the case was not tried in depth, this development is nevertheless significant in that it is the first time that Norway’s practice of compulsory arbitration in industrial disputes has been considered by the ECHR.

• 24 Oct 2002
  France: Government issues assessment of 35-hour week legislation

  In September 2002, the French government issued an evaluation report on the implementation of the 35-hour week, which is to be submitted to parliament. The report examines the principal effects of the negotiated reduction of working time, which began in 1996. Since then, the creation of an estimated 300,000 jobs has been attributable to the reduction of working time. The switch to the 35-hour week has involved a large rise in the amount of company and sectoral collective bargaining and has generated an increase in the flexibility of working schedules. Those employees who have experienced working time cuts have responded positively overall, although opinions differ widely according to employees' levels of skills The report was published just as the government proposed new measures to introduce flexibility into the 35-hour week.

• 23 Oct 2002
  Belgium: Recruitment quotas for foreign workers under debate

  Statements made by the Belgian Minister of social integration in September 2002 on possible recruitment quotas for workers of foreign origin have revived debate on this issue. Current measures to support the recruitment of such workers are of a voluntary nature, and the Minister has raised the possibility of a mandatory approach. The social partners reacted to the statements in differing ways.

• 23 Oct 2002
  EU Level: Commission issues 2002 Employment in Europe report

  The 2002 Employment in Europe report was issued by the European Commission in September 2002. The report examines the progress of European labour markets over the past decade. It assesses the chances of meeting the employment rate targets set at the Lisbon and Stockholm European Councils in 2000 and 2001 and looks at the areas where improvements are needed in terms of labour market performance. The report also analyses at the challenges which EU enlargement will bring.

• 23 Oct 2002
  EU Level: UNI highlights on-line rights at work

  Union Network International (UNI) has in recent years been campaigning on the issue of the protection of workers'on-line rightsat work, relating to the use of e-mail and the internet. Notably, it has recently issued a code of practice dealing with employees’ and employers’ rights and duties in this area. The code covers trade union communications, non-business communications, monitoring and surveillance, and the conditions for use of electronic facilities at work.

• 23 Oct 2002
  Norway: LO unions plan major merger

  In autumn 2002, a number of trade unions affiliated to the LO confederation are considering a possible merger to create a single large union, which would include both private and public transport and might also be extended to cover other parts of the private service sector.

• 23 Oct 2002
  Denmark: LO presents concept for a broader union organisation

  In September 2002, the executive committee of the Confederation of Danish Trade Unions (LO) presented a plan for a radical reform of the organisation. The withdrawal of financial support from the Social Democratic Party is an important element of LO's attempt to create a unified trade union movement (including unions currently outside LO) with broader political influence.

• 23 Oct 2002
  Austria: Autumn bargaining round opens against background of rising unemployment

  In October 2002, the pattern-setting metalworking industry opened Austria’s autumn private sector bargaining round . The current economic recession and notable increase in unemployment form the background to the negotiations. Since Austria’s bargaining system is generally relatively responsive to macroeconomic developments, there seems to be very limited leeway for pay increases.

• 22 Oct 2002
  United Kingdom: Employment Act 2002 outlined

  The Employment Act, which reached the UK statute book in July 2002, introduces new provisions concerningfamily-friendlyworking, the resolution of individual disputes at the workplace, equal treatment for fixed-term employees and other matters. This feature summarises its main requirements and the timetable for their implementation, and looks at employer and trade union views of the new legislation.

• 22 Oct 2002
  Germany: Pay dispute continues in banking

  A pay dispute in the German banking sector began in May 2002 and no new collective agreement had yet been reached between the AGV Banken employers' association and the ver.di trade union by mid-October. At the centre of the dispute are variable pay, opening clausesand pay increases. The dispute is being played out against the background of a banking industry which has been undergoing major change since 1990.

• 22 Oct 2002
  United Kingdom: National fire service strikes loom

  On 18 October 2002, the Fire Brigades Union announced that its members had voted by almost nine to one to take industrial action in pursuit of a pay claim, raising the prospect of the UK's first national fire service strikes for 25 years. This feature reviews the background to the dispute.

• 22 Oct 2002
  United Kingdom: Government seeks to expand and revitalise modern apprenticeships

  The UK's Labour government is committed to implementing the main recommendations of a report on the reform of the apprenticeship system in England, published in September 2001. This feature looks at the background to the plans and some of the problems and challenges they are likely to encounter.

• 22 Oct 2002
  EU Level: October Council discusses employment and social policy issues

  EU employment, social policy, health and consumer affairs ministers met in Luxembourg on 8 October 2002 to discuss a range of issues, including the proposed Directive on working conditions for temporary agency workers and the possibility of a Directive on protection against electromagnetic fields and waves.

• 22 Oct 2002
  EU Level: Commission seeks to streamline employment and economic strategies

  In September 2002, the European Commission issued proposals to streamline EU employment and economic policy coordination. This would entail changes to the timing of the annual European employment strategy cycle.

• 16 Oct 2002
  Spain: CC.OO views on the metalworking sector

  Metalworking, with over 1 million employees, is a key sector in the Spanish economy, and also the industry where collective bargaining plays the most important role. This feature outlines the views of the metalworking sectoral federation of the CC.OO trade union confederation on the industry's situation in 2002, and its proposals for future developments in areas such as collective bargaining. Among other demands. CC.OO wants a proper government industrial policy, a national sectoral collective agreement and greater harmonisation of employment conditions across Europe.

• 11 Oct 2002
  Spain: Government proposes education reform

  In May 2002, the Ministry of Education presented draft legislation oneducation quality, the final stage in a set of reforms of the education and training system. The most controversial points of the proposed law include: a requirement for students to choose their educationalitineraryat the age of 14; giving religious instruction academic status; the introduction of a final examination to obtain the bachillerato qualification at the end of secondary education; and the amount and allocation of education funding. Some trade unions and opposition parties disagree with the model of education proposed.

• 10 Oct 2002
  Finland: Employers seek more foreign labour

  In autumn 2002, debate on immigration policy has continued in Finland, in the light of forecasts of labour shortages in a few years time, when large numbers of workers retire. Therefore, according to the employers, it should be possible to allow more workers from non-EU countries into Finland. The trade unions take a slightly sceptical view of such a development.

• 10 Oct 2002
  Greece: Real wages should converge with EU average, states INE

  There is strong evidence that Greece is entering a new era of high profitability and rapid growth, according to the annual Economic and Employment Outlook from the trade union-linked Institute of Labour (INE), published in September 2002. GDP per capita and labour productivity have been converging with the EU averages since the beginning of the 1990s. However, wages remain very low when compared with other EU countries. The INE report compares average gross wages in several economic sectors and finds that differences in purchasing power parities and national productivity explain only a part of the gap between labour remuneration in Greece and the EU average. The remaining gap (around 15% ) is not justified and should be gradually reduced, concludes the report.

• 10 Oct 2002
  Finland: Multinationals consider moving head offices abroad

  In September 2002, the Confederation of Finnish Industry and Employers (TT) published a survey, which found that multinational companies based in Finland are increasingly seeing a need to move their head offices abroad. Tight personal taxation, distance from financial markets and the strong growth of subsidiaries abroad are cited as key reasons for moving functions to other countries.

• 10 Oct 2002
  Finland: SAK resists use of foreign labour on ferries

  In September 2002, the Central Organisation of Finnish Trade Unions (SAK) announced that it will resist government plans to amend legislation, so as to allow the use of cheap non-EEA foreign labour on Finnish ferries.

• 10 Oct 2002
  Finland: New compromise on pensions rejected by AKAVA

  In September 2002, the Confederation of Unions for Academic Professionals (AKAVA) rejected a new compromise proposal for reforming the calculation of retirement pensions. The proposal, whereby pensions would be calculated on the basis of earnings over an employee's whole career, was approved by the other social partners, and will now form the basis for government legislation.

• 10 Oct 2002
  Poland: Delays in payment of wages increase

  Surveys of private sector enterprises in Poland have found a growing tendency among employers to delay the payment of wages in recent years. For example, in 2001 the State Labour Inspection found that nearly two-thirds of companies audited breached regulations in this area. Late payment was initially restricted to small firms, but has recently become common in large enterprises as well.

• 10 Oct 2002
  Finland: Unions set out priorities for future of EU

  In September 2002, Finland's three trade union confederations submitted a letter to the Convention examining the future reform of the EU. Their message stresses the importance of giving more weight in the Convention's work to the issues that closely affect wage earners and citizens.

• 10 Oct 2002
  Finland: Agreement reached on 'job alternation' leave

  In September 2002, a tripartite working group agreed on the continuation for another five years of Finland's experimentaljob alternationscheme, which enables employees to take a period of sabbatical leave while being temporarily replaced by an unemployed person. The agreement increases the compensation for longer-serving workers who take leave, and introduces a requirement of 10 years prior employment for entitlement to leave. The deal has removed a barrier to the conclusion of a new national incomes policy agreement later in 2002 .

• 10 Oct 2002
  Poland: Accidents at work decrease

  According to official data published in 2002, the number of people injured in accidents at work in Poland fell by over 10% in 2001, and falls were also registered in fatal and serious accidents. However, the State Labour Inspection argues that the risk of occupational accidents still remains at a very high level, especially in building, mining and agriculture.

• 10 Oct 2002
  Poland: Protective regulations on women's employment amended

  In July 2002, the Polish government amended the legislative provisions specifying the types of work which women are not allowed to perform. The aim is to improve occupational health and safety standards and, in particular, to protect pregnant and nursing women. The prohibition is not regarded as contradicting equal opportunities provisions.

• 10 Oct 2002
  Poland: NSZZ Solidarność trade union holds 15-th congress

  In late September 2002, NSZZSolidarność, one of the two largest trade unions in Poland, held its four-yearly congress. Delegates elected new officers and agreed changes to the union’s policies. The previous chair, Marian Krzaklewski, lost the position following criticisms of his record, and especially of excessive involvement in politics.

• 10 Oct 2002
  Poland: Temporary work under debate

  In September 2002, the Polish government presented proposals to regulate the legal status of temporary work, which is a relatively new phenomenon in Poland. Despite the current lack of precise statutory regulations, this form of employment - including temporary agency work - has become increasingly popular in recent years, and is seen as an instrument for reducing unemployment.

• 09 Oct 2002
  Germany: Restructuring at T-Systems tests unions' ability to cooperate

  In September 2002, T-Systems, a German service provider in telecommunications and information technology, announced that 6,500 of its 43,000-strong workforce could lose their jobs as part of a restructuring plan. Developments at T-Systems are particularly interesting because it is one of the rare cases in Germany where two trade unions have organising responsibility for the same company. The situation will test the unions' ability to cooperate in both fighting the impending job losses and clarifying and unifying their own responsibilities.

• 09 Oct 2002
  Slovakia: Minimum wage increased without tripartite agreement

  From 1 October 2002, Slovakia's statutory monthly minimum wage has been increased by 13.2 % - from SKK 4,920 to SKK 5,570. The government determined the amount of the new minimum wage because the social partners were unable to agree on the issue in tripartite consultations. The minimum wage now represents 40.68 % of the estimated average monthly wage.

• 09 Oct 2002
  Spain: Ericsson announces 700 redundancies

  In September 2002, Ericsson, the Swedish-owned technology multinational, announced 700 job losses at its plants in Bilbao and Madrid, reducing its Spanish workforce by nearly 30%. The latest redundancies are part of a wave of workforce reductions affecting the telecommunications sector worldwide.

• 09 Oct 2002
  Spain: Unemployment and temporary employment increase

  Figures for August 2002 confirm that overall unemployment in Spain (already the EU's highest) has started to rise, while year-on-year increases were recorded in the first eight months of the year, including August, which is traditionally a month of job creation. The high level of temporary recruitment continues and the level of open-ended recruitment remains practically unchanged.

• 09 Oct 2002
  Italy: Guglielmo Epifani replaces Sergio Cofferati at head of Cgil

  In September 2002, Guglielmo Epifani was elected as general secretary of Cgil, Italy's largest trade union confederation, succeeding Sergio Cofferati. Mr Epifani inherits a breakdown of relations with the other two main union confederations, Cisl and Uil, and a general strike called unilaterally by Cgil on 18 October.

• 09 Oct 2002
  France: Dispute over entertainment industry unemployment insurance scheme

  In June 2002, the MEDEF employers' confederation and three trade union confederations (CFDT, CFTC and CFE-CGC) signed an agreement which doubled employers' and employees' contributions to the special unemployment benefit scheme for sporadically employed entertainment industry workers. The aim is to address the scheme's chronic deficit. The CGT and CGT-FO union confederations refused to sign, and the reform has brought protests from entertainment workers and the industry's employers' association.

• 09 Oct 2002
  France: New 'youth employment contract' scheme launched

  In August 2002, the French parliament passed legislation setting up a new employment creation scheme for young people with a low level of education. At the same time, the new conservative government announced the scrapping of the youth employment scheme implemented by the previous government. Trade unions have severely criticised the scale of the social security exemptions for employers under the new scheme, and the lack of training provision for the young people concerned.

• 09 Oct 2002
  Sweden: Scandinavian social partners prefer independent dialogue

  In September 2002 a seminar was held in Stockholm, involving social partners from the Nordic countries and Baltic candidate states, plus representatives of various European bodies. The event discussed the recent report of the European Commission's high-level group on industrial relations, and highlighted the importance attached by the Scandinavian social partners to independent social dialogue.

• 09 Oct 2002
  Ireland: Employers set out blueprint for social partnership

  In September 2002, the Irish Business and Employers Confederation published itsblueprintfor talks on a new national programme to replace Ireland's current three-year agreement, the Programme for Prosperity and Fairness.

• 08 Oct 2002
  Germany: New agreement reached in western textiles industry

  In September 2002, the bargaining parties in the west German textiles and clothing industry reached a new collective agreement, after three rounds of bargaining. It provides for pay increases of 3% in 2002 and 2.7% in 2003, as well as employers' contributions to company pension schemes.

• 08 Oct 2002
  Greece: GSEE demands improved protection of employees in mergers and takeovers

  In September 2002, Greece's GSEE trade union confederation demanded an improved legislative framework regarding the protection of employees in the event of mergers and takeovers.

• 08 Oct 2002
  United Kingdom: TUC sets out key objectives for UK consultation law

  The annual conference of the UK's Trades Union Congress took place in September 2002. We review the policies it adopted on key domestic and EU issues, including the implementation of the information and consultation Directive and UK membership of the euro.

• 08 Oct 2002
  United Kingdom: CBI survey highlights company practice on key employment issues

  The Confederation of British Industry’s annual employment trends survey, published in September 2002, argues that the need for flexibility is increasingly driving companies’ human resources strategies.

• 08 Oct 2002
  Luxembourg: Unit set up to help workers suffering from stress

  A multidisciplinary unit is to be set up in Luxembourg during 2003 to help people suffering from work-related stress. This is the outcome of a partnership between the OGB-L trade union confederation and the Luxembourg Mental Health League, with support from the Ministers of Labour and Health.

• 08 Oct 2002
  Spain: Differences emerge over wage moderation

  In October 2002, negotiations began over a new central agreement laying down guidelines for Spanish collective bargaining in 2003, to succeed the deal reached for 2002. The talks got off to a difficult start. Whereas the government and the employers are in favour of maintaining wage moderation, the trade unions have announced that they will demand higher pay increases to prevent the loss of purchasing power, foster domestic demand and stimulate the economy.

• 08 Oct 2002
  Spain: First case of bullying brought in criminal courts

  In September 2002, a Barcelona court started consideration of Spain's first criminal case relating to alleged bullying at work. The fact that the case has been taken to a criminal court, which is reserved for cases of special gravity, shows the increasing importance of bullying in Spain.

• 08 Oct 2002
  Ireland: Aer Lingus pay freeze may end

  Ireland's state-owned airline, Aer Lingus, may find it impossible to maintain a pay freeze agreed in December 2001 beyond March 2003, following the announcement that it is on target to make a profit of almost EUR 40 million in 2002.

• 08 Oct 2002
  Greece: National Commission on Human Rights criticises temporary agency work

  A decision of Greece's National Commission on Human Rights, issued in September 2002, recommends the re-examination of the institution ofleasingemployees through temporary work agencies. The decision questions the constitutionality of the recently created legislative framework for temporary work agencies and proposes measures for the effective monitoring of the existing legislation by the competent bodies.

• 08 Oct 2002
  Austria: Outgoing government introduces youth employment programme

  With youth unemployment rising, in September 2002 the Austrian government (just prior to leaving office) agreed with the social partners a range of measures aimed at improving employment opportunities for young people, and especially apprentices. The measures include incentives for companies to employ apprentices, and the extension of qualification programmes for young people.

• 08 Oct 2002
  France: More job losses announced at Alcatel

  Over June-September 2002, the French components manufacturer, Alcatel, announced 19,000 job losses, on top of major workforce reductions which have occurred since 2000 as the group has concentrated its activities on telecommunications components and divested factories. The latest redundancy plans reflect the world recession in the telecoms sector.

• 08 Oct 2002
  France: Government family policy plans become clearer

  In autumn 2002, the French government announced a number of measures in the area of family policy, including a new child benefit scheme, tax benefits for employing domestic help, and the withdrawal of family benefits from the families ofdelinquentchildren. Trade unions have given a mixed response to the initiatives.

• 08 Oct 2002
  EU Level: Commission publishes study on equality bodies

  In September 2002, the European Commission issued a report looking at specialised bodies in EU Member States which have been set up to promote equality and/or to combat discrimination.

• 08 Oct 2002
  EU Level: European Parliament adopts resolution on women in social partner bodies

  The European Parliament adopted in September 2002 a resolution urging the social partners, the European Commission and the EU Member States to take a variety of actions in order to improve the representation of women among the EU social partners.

• 08 Oct 2002
  Spain: First effects of unemployment benefit reform assessed

  In September 2002, the CC.OO trade union confederation published some figures on the effects of the unemployment benefit reform that came into force in Spain in May 2002. One of the main findings is that over 85,000 dismissed workers have lost the right to theinterim wagesformerly paid while awaiting the outcome of unfair dismissal cases.

• 07 Oct 2002
  Belgium: Collective agreements on employment to be ratified by regional authorities

  In 1999, the Flemish regional government called for a new system whereby sectoral collective agreements between Flemish social partner organisations on matters of regional competence - such as employment - should be declared generally bindingfor the region by the Flemish authorities, instead of the federal government. With little support for this plan, least of all from trade unions, talks involving the regional and federal authorities resulted in a compromise solution in September 2002. In future, any collective agreement covering matters of regional competence will need to be ratified by the regional as well as federal authorities.

• 07 Oct 2002
  Poland: Amended Labour Code adopted

  After many months of negotiations and debate involving the social partners, the Polish parliament adopted a revised Labour Code in July-August 2002. The provisions of the amended Code reflect demands made for several years by employers' circles, which have sought more flexibility in employment relationships and lower employment costs in order to improve the competitiveness of the Polish economy. It is quite probable, however, that this reform of the labour market will meet with active opposition from trade unions, which have been against the reforms from the beginning.