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March 2003

• 31 Mar 2003
  Greece: 2002 Annual Review for Greece

  This record reviews 2002's main developments in industrial relations in Greece.

• 31 Mar 2003
  Sweden: New agreement signed for blue-collar temporary agency workers

  In December 2002, a new collective agreement covering 10,000 blue-collar temporary agency workers was signed by the Swedish Service Employers' Association and trade unions affiliated to the Swedish Trade Union Confederation (LO). The agreement increases the guaranteed minimum monthly wage and improves the position of newly recruited workers, as well as dealing with matters such as the geographical area within which workers can be expected to work and the use of fixed-term contracts.

• 31 Mar 2003
  France: 2000 works council election results published

  In December 2002, the French Ministry of Social Affairs, Employment and Solidarity published the results of the elections of employee representatives on works councils held in 2000. For the Ministry, the two main features of the elections were a fall in the turn-out from 65.7% in 1998 to 63.7% in 2000, and the fact that the share of the vote won by non-union slates of candidates fell by 2.2 percentage points, with trade union slates benefiting as a result.

• 31 Mar 2003
  Finland: New occupational safety legislation in force

  A new Occupational Safety Act came into force in Finland on 1 January 2003. According to the Act, employers are obliged to apply safety management methods in all operations, including planning and organising work. Employers are responsible for matching human resources with the volume of work, as well as arranging monitoring of workloads and of the way that these relate to employees' capacity. They also need to take actions to prevent harassment at the workplace. The new legislation seeks to address persistent safety problems in areas such as work-related accidents.

• 31 Mar 2003
  Germany: New law to extend shop opening hours

  In March 2003, the first chamber of the German parliament adopted a bill on the extension of shop opening hours on Saturdays. The new law, once approved by the second chamber, will allow shops to open until 20.00 on Saturdays (currently 16.00). The initiative has been welcomed by retailers' associations, although they argued for even longer opening hours, whereas trade unions, supported by church organisations, opposed any extension of shop opening hours, which they see as damaging the working conditions of retail employees.

• 31 Mar 2003
  Norway: Top management salaries rose 5.4% in 2002

  The pay of senior managers in Norwegian companies rose by an average of 5.4% in 2002, similar to the wage growth experienced by other workers. Moderate management salary growth is an intrinsic part of the cooperation on incomes policy agreed between the social partners in connection with the 2003 pay bargaining round. The social partners have thus expressed satisfaction with the 2002 figures.

• 31 Mar 2003
  Germany: Chancellor proposes Agenda 2010 to revive economy

  In March 2003, the German Chancellor, Gerhard Schröder, outlined to parliament his domestic reform plans, known as Agenda 2010, in four main areas: relaxing, but not abandoning, rules protecting workers from dismissal along with other labour market reforms; modernising the social welfare state; decreasing bureaucracy for small businesses and allowing crafts workers to launch new business ventures; and providing new low-interest loans to local authorities. The main employers’ organisations see these as key areas in which action is long overdue, and have offered broad support for the Chancellor’s aims, albeit mixed with disappointment that they do not go far enough. However, trade unions rebuked Mr Schröder for hissocially unbalancedreform proposals. The key question now is whether the Chancellor can gain support, in particular from the union-dominated left-wing of his own SPD party, for his proposals.

• 27 Mar 2003
  Finland: 2002 Annual Review for Finland

  This record reviews 2002's main developments in industrial relations in Finland.

• 27 Mar 2003
  Spain: 2002 Annual Review for Spain

  This record reviews 2002's main developments in industrial relations in Spain.

• 27 Mar 2003
  Denmark: More working days lost due to political disputes

  Statistics published by the Danish Employers’ Confederation (DA) in March 2003 indicate that 71,000 working days were lost in Denmark in 2002 due to unofficial disputes, twice the figure in 2001. Much of the increase resulted from political action, largely taken in opposition to the policies of the Liberal/Conservative government. The inclusion in the statistics for the first time of the strike-prone meat-processing and slaughterhouse sector may also account for some of the increase.

• 27 Mar 2003
  EU Level: Mid-term review conference addresses social policy agenda

  Representatives from the EU Member States and candidate countries gathered in Brussels in March 2003 for a large-scale conference to review the progress of the EU five-year social policy agenda since its launch in 2000. Wide-ranging debates were held on the themes of employment, social protection, industrial relations and equal opportunities.

• 27 Mar 2003
  Ireland: Few signs of special cost-of-living allowance for Dublin

  Research published in Ireland in early 2003 indicates that there are currently few signs of a move towards the widespread introduction of special cost-of-living allowances for workers employed in Dublin. There are few examples of such allowances in practice and considerable employer opposition to them. While some trade unions have demanded Dublin allowances in recent years, the issue no longer features prominently on their agendas.

• 27 Mar 2003
  Austria: New government calls for EUR 1,000 monthly minimum wage

  In March 2003, Austria's renewed coalition government of the conservative ÖVP and populist FPÖ presented its official programme for the coming legislative period. It includes substantial changes in the statutory unemployment cover system, as well as an appeal to the social partners to agree on a nationwide minimum rate of pay of EUR 1,000 per month. The government's minimum pay initiative has received a mixed response.

• 27 Mar 2003
  Luxembourg: New trade union federation created

  In February 2003, four white-collar trade unions in Luxembourg – ALEBA, UEP, NGL and SNEP – created a new federation. The immediate aim of the alliance, known as ALEBA/UEP-NGL-SNEP, is to present a single list of candidates at forthcoming elections of employee representatives. In the longer term, the unions are seeking closer cooperation and recognition as being nationally representative.

• 26 Mar 2003
  France: 2002 Annual Review for France

  This record reviews 2002's main developments in industrial relations in France.

• 26 Mar 2003
  Italy: 2002 Annual Review for Italy

  This record reviews 2002’s main developments in industrial relations in Italy.

• 26 Mar 2003
  Norway: 2002 Annual Review for Norway

  This record reviews 2002's main developments in industrial relations in Norway.

• 25 Mar 2003
  Luxembourg: 2002 Annual Review for Luxembourg

  This record reviews 2002's main developments in industrial relations in Luxembourg.

• 25 Mar 2003
  Denmark: 2002 Annual Review for Denmark

  This record reviews 2002's main developments in industrial relations in Denmark.

• 25 Mar 2003
  EU Level: March employment Council discusses temporary agency work proposal

  The March 2003 EU social policy and employment Council discussed a broad range of topics, including the European employment strategy, social protection, gender mainstreaming and the implementation of recent anti-discrimination Directives. However, the most high-profile topic was the proposal for a Directive to regulate temporary agency work.

• 25 Mar 2003
  EU Level: Commission issues equal opportunities report

  The European Commission issued its annual equal opportunities report in March 2003. It outlines the main progress towards gender equality made in the EU in 2002 and looks at the gender equality state of play in the candidate countries. While significant steps have been taken in the area of gender-related legislation, the Commission is highlighting improved women’s participation in decision-making as the priority theme for 2003.

• 25 Mar 2003
  United Kingdom: Corus’s UK workforce faces deep job cuts

  In March 2003, the Anglo-Dutch steel producer Corus was forced to abandon the sale of its aluminium business after the company’s Dutch supervisory board blocked the proposed move. This looks certain to result in thousands of job losses in the company’s UK operations.

• 25 Mar 2003
  United Kingdom: New pay system planned in National Health Service

  At the end of November 2002, the UK's government health departments, National Health Service employers and trade unions concluded negotiations on a new pay system for over 1 million health service staff. If ratified, the agreement will be piloted at 12 sites in spring 2003, with full implementation from October 2004.

• 24 Mar 2003
  Austria: 2002 Annual Review for Austria

  This record reviews 2002's main developments in industrial relations in Austria.

• 24 Mar 2003
  Ireland: 2002 Annual Review for Ireland

  This record reviews 2002's main developments in industrial relations in Ireland

• 24 Mar 2003
  Germany: 2002 Annual Review for Germany

  This record reviews 2002's main developments in industrial relations in Germany.

• 24 Mar 2003
  United Kingdom: 2002 Annual Review for the UK

  This record reviews the main industrial relations developments in the UK during 2002.

• 24 Mar 2003
  Belgium: 2002 Annual Review for Belgium

  This record reviews 2002's main developments in industrial relations in Belgium

• 18 Mar 2003
  EU Countries: Working time developments - 2002

  This review of developments in the length of working time in 2001 and 2002 finds that average collectively agreed weekly working time the European Union (plus Norway) remained relatively stable at around 38.2 hours. Major general working time reductions were virtually absent across the EU over 2001-2, though smaller cuts continued in some countries in particular sectors and companies. Across the EU and Norway, agreed normal annual working time averages around 1,710 hours. In sectoral terms, agreed weekly hours are highest in chemicals, followed by retail and the civil service. Average collectively agreed paid annual leave entitlement rose slightly to just under 26 days in 2002. We also include data on three candidate countries (Hungary, Poland and Slovakia), where working time is generally longer than in the EU.

• 14 Mar 2003
  Italy: Trade unions and Confindustria resume dialogue

  On 26 February 2003, the Confindustria employers' confederation and the Italy's three main trade union confederations (Cgil, Cisl and Uil) launched a dialogue aimed at tackling the problems facing Italian industry - the first such bilateral negotiations for 10 years. Dialogue will continue at fournegotiating tablesdealing with infrastructures and energy, research and innovation, training and development of the South.

• 14 Mar 2003
  Italy: Cgil holds general strike

  On 21 February 2003, the Cgil trade union confederation held a general strike against the responses of the government and employers to the current problems of Italian industry. Estimates of the level of participation in the strike - which was not supported by the other main union confederations - varied widely.

• 14 Mar 2003
  Italy: Legislation on labour market reform adopted

  In February 2003, after a lengthy and controversial legislative and negotiating process, the Italian parliament approved a proxy lawon reform of the labour market. The reforms relate to areas such as job placement services, new forms of employment contract and part-time work. The government plans to issue decrees to implement the law by June 2003.

• 14 Mar 2003
  Slovakia: Labour Code to be revised

  In February 2003, the Slovak social partners and government reached agreement on amendments to the country's Labour Code. A revision of the Code had been sought by employers, and was taken up by the government, while trade unions opposed most of the proposed changes and threatened industrial action. Following a lengthy process of bipartite and tripartite negotiations, a deal was reached and will be forwarded to parliament once the details have been finalised.

• 14 Mar 2003
  Denmark: State Car Inspection Service strike ends

  In late February 2003, employees at the Danish State Car Inspection Service resumed work after a month-long nationwide strike. The strike was caused by the management’s plan to make hundreds of employees redundant as a consequence of government cutbacks. Work was resumed after negotiations opened between trade unions and management, which resulted in agreement to spread an unspecified number of jobs losses over four years.

• 14 Mar 2003
  France: Protests and elections in state education

  Late 2002 saw a number of protests against job losses in France's state education system, along with important elections of employee representatives on various joint committees, which provide a significant gauge of the support for the sector's many trade unions.

• 14 Mar 2003
  France: Strike hits Banque de France

  On 13 February 2003, significant strike action closed down most branches and other workplaces of Banque de France, after the announcement of a reorganisation of the French central bank’s network. Bargaining between the management and the trade unions subsequently got under way.

• 14 Mar 2003
  France: Air Lib goes into liquidation

  France's second-largest airline, Air Lib was put into court-ordered liquidation in February 2003. The redundancy plan currently under discussion, based on redeployment, has raised concern among the company’s 3,200-strong workforce.

• 14 Mar 2003
  France: Controversy over reform of 'personalised independence allowance'

  In response to funding problems, in February 2003 the French government issued proposals to reform thepersonalised independence allowance, a measure aimed at providing means-tested assistance for elderly people who are unable to live independently. Trade unions, pensioners’ associations and health and social services professionals have reacted strongly to the changes

• 13 Mar 2003
  Sweden: Commissioner to examine gender segregation on labour market

  In February 2003, the Swedish government appointed a commissioner to examine why there is still strong gender segregation in the labour market and identify the obstacles to integration. The commissioner is due to report by March 2004.

• 13 Mar 2003
  Austria: Youth employment programme unsuccessful

  In February 2003, it seems that incentives for Austrian businesses to employ apprentices, introduced in autumn 2002, have failed to achieve their goal. There is a nationwide shortfall of about 7,000 apprenticeship places. In response, the Chamber of Labour (AK) is calling for a further extension ofqualification coursesfor young people who have not found apprenticeships.

• 13 Mar 2003
  Germany: Public 'want less influence for unions'

  Opinion polls published in February 2003 indicate that the German public increasingly believes that trade unions have a major influence on government policies, and that many people would like to see this influence reduced. Furthermore, a majority of respondents to a poll expect the current federal government to be unable to implement reforms against the will of the unions.

• 13 Mar 2003
  Finland: Social partners issue joint statement on future of EU

  The Finnish social partners have issued a joint statement on the future of the European Union. A position paper signed by all of Finland's trade union and employers' confederations was delivered in February 2003 to the Finnish government and parliament, and to the Finnish members of the European Convention.

• 13 Mar 2003
  Spain: Government initiatives on people with disabilities

  In 2002 and early 2003, the Spanish government has taken a number of initiatives to improve the position of people with disabilities or in a situation ofdependence. Some of these relate to integration in employment.

• 13 Mar 2003
  Spain: Valeo plant closes with loss of 256 jobs

  The French-based automotive components multinational, Valeo, has announced the closure of its plant in San Esteves de Sesrovira, Spain, with the loss of 256 jobs. In February 2003, an agreement was reached on a package of compensation payments, pre-retirement and redeployment for the workers concerned. Trade unions see the closure as another example of a transfer of production from Spain to the low labour cost countries of central and eastern Europe.

• 13 Mar 2003
  Finland: New collective agreements signed

  In February and early March 2003, after difficult negotiations, new collective agreements were signed for a number of sectors and employee groups which chose not to be part of Finland's two-year centralised incomes policy agreement for 2003-4. Agreements have been signed for sectors such as road transport and the mechanical forestry and carpentry industries and groups such as cabin crew and pharmacists. In general, the wage increases in these new agreements are in line with those in the central agreement.

• 13 Mar 2003
  Germany: Deal reached on first national cross-sector agreement for temporary agency work

  In February 2003, the Federal Association of Temporary Employment Agencies (BZA) and representatives of all trade unions affiliated to the German Federation of Trade Unions (DGB) signed a landmark agreement laying thecornerstonesfor a number of national cross-sector collective agreements setting pay and conditions for temporary agency workers. Further negotiations to fix the remaining details are to follow, and final collective agreements should be finalised by 31 May 2003.

• 13 Mar 2003
  Spain: Changes to pension calculation method postponed

  In February 2003, the Spanish government proposed new social security legislation, which includes measure to preserve the national unity of the pensions system and prevent regional differences. However, it has postponed until 2004 debate on the controversial issue of changing the period of earnings used to calculate state retirement pensions. Commentators believe that this decision has been taken in the light of the current climate of public discontent over various issues and government unpopularity.

• 13 Mar 2003
  Netherlands: First agreements follow union federations' wage recommendation

  The Netherlands' first collective agreements for 2003, signed in February, have followed the 2.5% wage increase recommended by the main trade union confederations, FNV and CNV. However, there are differences of opinion as to whether the 2.5% is a minimum or maximum limit, while there is debate among the social partners and political parties as to how moderation can be maintained in the coming years.

• 13 Mar 2003
  Luxembourg: Defeat for ALEBA at BGL-Fortis employee committee elections

  Elections of representatives on the employee committee at BGL-Fortis, one of Luxembourg's largest banks, were held in February 2003. The new poll was called following the defection of members of the ALEBA banking trade union to the newly formed SESF finance section of the LCGB confederation. The election resulted in losses for ALEBA and gains for SESF-LCGB and OGB-L.

• 13 Mar 2003
  Belgium: Dispute in banking

  On 25 February 2003, several thousand Belgian banking employees demonstrated in Brussels in protest against employers' plans to outsource some activities, or parcel them out to subsidiaries. Negotiations over a new sectoral agreement had reached deadlock several weeks before. Against a backdrop of restructuring by the leading Belgian banks, the trade unions were concerned about a deterioration in workers’ pay and terms and conditions. The management played down these fears.

• 13 Mar 2003
  Greece: Supreme Court rules on union intervention in labour dispute trials

  In February 2003, Greece's Areopagus (Supreme Court) made public a decision regarding the limits on trade union intervention in trials related to labour disputes. The Court took a restrictive view of such intervention.

• 13 Mar 2003
  EU Countries: Developments in industrial action - 1998-2002

  This record reviews developments in industrial action across the European Union - plus Norway, Hungary, Poland and Slovakia - over 1998-2002. We find considerable differences between the countries in terms of the amount of industrial action, though levels are generally low in historical terms. Transport and communications, followed closely by industry/manufacturing (with metalworking particularly prominent) are the sectors most prone to conflict, followed by the broad public sector (notably health/social work and education). The most common cause of industrial action is disputes over pay.

• 12 Mar 2003
  Sweden: Industrial conflict at low levels

  Figures on industrial action in Sweden in 2002, published in January 2003, confirm that labour conflicts are at a low level in historical terms. Changes in legislation, new bargaining procedures and economic factors seem to be the main reasons for the decline in action. This feature looks at the current situation and outlines the legislative and collectively agreed framework for industrial disputes.

• 12 Mar 2003
  Netherlands: Competition mounts between trade unions

  During 2002, the normal cooperation between Dutch trade union movement came under pressure from an increasing number of conflicts over both access to collective bargaining and unity in concluding collective agreements. Trade unions are increasingly seeking to enhance their own distinctive profiles, increasing rivalry between them, while the established unions are facing greater competition from newer independent organisations.

• 12 Mar 2003
  EU Level: Parliament adopts resolution on steel sector crisis

  In February 2003, the European Parliament adopted a resolution in which it calls on the European Commission and EU Member States to take action to alleviate the current crisis in the steel sector, exacerbated by the steel maker Arcelor’s recent plans to restructure and cut its workforce.

• 12 Mar 2003
  United Kingdom: Spread of union recognition deals slows

  Research published in February 2003 by the UK’s Trades Union Congress shows that union recognition by employers is continuing to increase, but that unions secured fewer recognition agreements in the 12 months to October 2002 than over the previous year.

• 12 Mar 2003
  United Kingdom: Government rejects calls for major changes to Employment Relations Act

  In February 2003, the UK government published its review of the Employment Relations Act 1999. This concluded that there is no case for major changes in the law, but proposed some minor and technical amendments to improve its operation. The outcome of the review represents a major disappointment for trade unions but was welcomed by employers.

• 12 Mar 2003
  Ireland: GPMU members apply to join SIPTU

  In what would be one of the largest ever transfer of members between two trade unions in the Republic of Ireland, a majority of Graphical, Paper and Media Union (GPMU) members applied in early 2003 to join the print division of the Services Industrial Professional and Technical Union (SIPTU).

• 12 Mar 2003
  Ireland: Intel implements pay freeze

  Intel Ireland has implemented a pay freeze covering 2003 for a large proportion of staff at its manufacturing plant in County Kildare, in a bid to cut costs during the economic downturn in the information technology industry.

• 11 Mar 2003
  Italy: Company law reformed

  In January 2003, the Italian government approved a reform of the company law rules governing limited liability and joint-stock companies and cooperatives, which will come into force in 2004. Employers have generally welcomed the reform, while trade unions view it as a missed opportunity to enhance employee involvement.

• 11 Mar 2003
  Spain: Housing problems have employment impact

  A major social and labour market problem in Spain at present is the fact that a majority of young people still living with their parents, due to factors such as the often precarious nature of their jobs, but mainly a shortage of affordable housing. The problems this creates include labour shortages and a lack of mobility. The issue, highlighted by a report published in late 2002 by the Economic and Social Council, is starting to receive attention from the social partners.

• 11 Mar 2003
  Spain: The integration of immigrants into employment

  Foreign nationals make up an increasing proportion of the Spanish population. According to the information available in early 2003 on the key issue of the integration of immigrants into employment, their employment rate is higher than that of Spanish nationals. However, immigrants tend to be concentrated in particular sectors and jobs, generally marked by low pay and conditions, and are sometimes employed illegally. This may have a number of unforeseen consequences.

• 11 Mar 2003
  Greece: Strike trends examined

  Trend in strikes in Greece between 1975 and 2002 showed fluctuations due both to economic factors - such as the economic growth and unemployment - and to non-economic factors - such as the political climate and trade union strength, etc. However, a major fall in strike activity was seen during the 1990s. This feature examines the level of strike activity in Greece since 1975 and the possible reasons for the trends observed.

• 11 Mar 2003
  EU Countries: Pay developments - 2002

  This review of broad trends in pay in 2001 and 2002 finds that average collectively agreed nominal wage increases across the EU and Norway fell from 3.8% in 2001 to 3.5% in 2002 - though with major variations between countries. This downturn ended an upward trend observed since 1999, suggesting that pay moderation has been renewed or strengthened in some countries. Taking into account inflation, the rate of real increase actually rose a little from 2001 to 2002, but fell slightly if only the EU (excluding Norway) is considered. In sectoral terms, the average increase in 2001 was 3.6% in both retail and chemicals, with the central civil service some way behind at 3.2% . In 2002, the average increase remained stable in retail and the civil service, but fell back to 3.4% in chemicals. We also include data on three candidate countries (Hungary, Poland and Slovakia), where pay increases at present are generally considerably higher than in the EU.

• 10 Mar 2003
  Spain: Agreement sets framework for collective bargaining in 2003

  In January 2003, Spain's central trade union confederations and employers' organisations concluded an intersectoral agreement laying down guidelines and criteria for lower-level collective bargaining in 2003, following a similar deal for 2002 (which received a positive assessment). The agreement puts pay at the centre of bargaining, reinforcing the coordination of wage bargaining in the framework of EMU. The deal also promotes increased employment stability in exchange for more flexible working time.

• 10 Mar 2003
  Italy: Government issues White Paper on welfare state

  In February 2003, the Italian government published a White Paper on the welfare state. The document is not a completed package of proposals, but is intended to provide the basis for discussion of a new model of social policy with trade unions and employers' organisations. The stated aim is to introduce a decentralised system of social protection, with selective and flexible measures tailored to the needs of local communities and managed at the local level. Talks with the social partners should be completed by the end of April 2003.

• 10 Mar 2003
  Luxembourg: Report examines progress on achieving women's equality

  In early 2003, the Luxembourg government issued its fourth report on implemening the UN Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW). It sets out a wide range of measures taken since 1999 with a view to eliminating discrimination between women and men in relation to employment, though noting that inequalities persist in areas such as labour market segregation. The report also contains the findings of a recent study on women's participation in economic decision-taking.

• 10 Mar 2003
  France: Electricity and gas workers reject agreement on pension reform

  In a referendum held in January 2003, 53.4% of workers and pensioners in the French electricity and gas industries - basically consisting of the state-owned companies EDF and GDF - rejected a deal reached in December 2002 by employers’ associations and four unions (CGT, CFDT, CFE-CGC and CFTC). This agreement provided for the transfer of the industries' special pension scheme to a public fund run jointly by the social partners. It was designed as a precursor to two government plans: privatising EDF and GDF, and bringing special pension schemes into line with the general scheme, as part of an overall reform of pension funding. Despite the referendum's result, the government has announced its willingness to see the December agreement translated into legislation.

• 10 Mar 2003
  France: Sickness insurance funds sign agreement with doctors' unions

  In January 2003, France's sickness insurance funds reached a deal with doctors' trade unions on issues such as consultation fees, insurance and healthcarebest practice, paving the way for a formal agreement. However, talks on this latter agreement, which are scheduled to conclude by 31 March 2003, will run up against diverging interpretations among the parties on specific points of the January deal.

• 10 Mar 2003
  France: Tension and disputes in Guadeloupe industrial relations

  Over late 2002 and early 2003, Guadeloupe - a French overseas département in the Caribbean - has seen major industrial disputes, driven by a slump in the island’s economy. The General Federation of Guadeloupe Workers (UGTG) has emerged as the most militant trade union, and elections to joint industrial tribunals held in December 2002 confirmed an increase in its support.

• 07 Mar 2003
  Italy: Milan taxi drivers protest against increase in licences

  In January 2003, taxi drivers in Milan staged a series of protests against the city council’s plan to increase the number of cab licences. The regional and provincial governments intervened in the dispute in an attempt to find a solution. The Guarantee Commission which oversees application of the law on strikes in essential public services also started a procedure to assess whether these rules had been breached. In February, taxi drivers' representatives and the Milan provincial government reached a deal on the dispute.

• 07 Mar 2003
  Norway: Cooperation on incomes policy agreed prior to 2003 settlement

  In January 2003, the Norwegian social partners issued a joint statement emphasising the need to bring the wage growth rate into line with developments among Norway’s main trading partners. The partners thus aim to achieve only moderate wage increases in the spring 2003 wage settlements, and to allow the sectors exposed to international competition to establish the framework for wage negotiations in other sectors.

• 07 Mar 2003
  Netherlands: Advocate-General finds Dutch health and safety legislation breaches EU law

  The Dutch model of occupational health services may be due for far-reaching revision, following the January 2003 opinion of the Advocate-General of the European Court of Justice in a case brought by the European Commission against the Netherlands. The Advocate-General's opinion - generally followed by the Court - stated that Article 14 of the Dutch Working Conditions Act is in conflict with the provisions on protective and preventive services in the 1989 health and safety framework Directive. The Dutch law allows companies to choose between using internal and external experts to provide such services, but the Advocate-General stated that the Directive gives priority to the former.

• 07 Mar 2003
  France: Government launches pensions reform

  A reform of France's state pensions system was officially launched in January 2003 by President Jacques Chirac. To prepare the ground for negotiations over the reform, the seven main trade union organisations signed a joint statement and organised a day of demonstrations on 1 February. In early February, the Prime Minister presented the outlines of the reform, to a mixed reaction from the social partners.

• 06 Mar 2003
  Germany: New legislation promotes 'minor jobs'

  In December 2002, the German government reached an accord with the opposition on labour market reform in the low-wage sector. The measure is part of a package of laws designed to implement the proposals of the Hartz Commission, which aim to enhance the flexibility of the labour market and to increase employment opportunities and incentives to work. With effect from April 2003, the reform will raise the monthly pay threshold up to which workers with a minor jobhave to pay no social security contributions from the current EUR 325 to EUR 400 per month, as well as cutting contributions on pay between EUR 400 and EUR 800. The government hopes that the changes will create at least 320,000 new jobs, which could balance out the expected initial revenue loss of about EUR 1.6 billion.

• 06 Mar 2003
  Finland: Union density falls

  According to a study published in February 2003, the total number of members of Finnish trade unions increased by 18,000 over 1994-2001, but the number of potential members rose considerably more, by 161,000, leading to a fall in union density of 7.3 percentage points (from 78.5% to 71.2%). The fall in density was more marked among men than among women. The reasons behind this decline in union density include factors related to the business cycle and changes in the structure of the labour force.

• 06 Mar 2003
  Germany: Government seeks an Alliance for Revival

  In January 2003, the German government announced - in its annual economic report, entitled Alliance for revival - starting the reforms together- the introduction of a wide range of economic reforms aimed at promoting growth and employment, which, in turn, should increase consumer and investor confidence. The report is a statutory response to the annual report by the independent German Council of Economic Advisors that is presented to the government by November each year. Like this group of wise men, international institutions that monitor the German economy have raised doubts that the reforms that have so far been enacted as well as those planned for the near future will solve the country's current employment and growth problems.

• 06 Mar 2003
  Denmark: New agreements introduce 'individual options' for employees

  Early 2003 saw the negotiation of new collective agreements in the Danish finance and slaughterhouses/meat processing sectors. In both cases, the new agreements have introduced an innovative system of individual options, whereby employees can decide on the use of a certain amount of the overall wage sum - eg choosing between higher pay and more time off - within the collective framework of the agreements. Commentators have raised the question of whether the new agreements are a sign of radical changes in the collective bargaining system in the direction of a higher degree of individualisation, and thus in the longer term an indication of the demise of the trade union movement and the collective bargaining model.

• 06 Mar 2003
  Denmark: Extraordinary congress seeks to create 'New LO'

  At an extraordinary congress held in February 2003, the Confederation of Danish Trade Unions (LO) adopted a new set of basic values and a new decision-making structure, aimed at creating aNew LO. This includes an end to financial support for the Social Democratic Party, thus removing barriers to merger with other union confederations. However, LO did not completely succeed in finding a solution to the problem of demarcation disputes among its member unions. Furthermore, it has been questioned whether the foundation for theNew LOis sufficiently strong to prevent tensions among unions or between the confederation's leadership and member unions.

• 06 Mar 2003
  Luxembourg: Agreement avoid redundancies at SES Astra

  In January 2003, SES Astra, the Luxembourg-based satellite operator, announced plans for 32 job losses. However, a redundancy programme negotiated with the LCGB trade union subsequently succeeded in avoided any compulsory redundancies, through the use of internal and external transfers and early retirement.

• 06 Mar 2003
  Norway: Wages rose by 5.5% in 2002

  Wages in Norway rose on average by 5.5% from 2001 to 2002, according to figures issued in February 2003 by the Technical Calculating Committee on Incomes Settlements. Further increases in the wage growth rate are not expected in 2003.

• 05 Mar 2003
  Germany: 2002 collective bargaining round examined

  In January 2003, the WSI research institute presented a report on Germany's 2002 collective bargaining round. The study evaluates collective agreements concluded in 2002, affecting about 80% of all employees covered by an agreement. The average increase in wages and salaries was 2.7% in 2002, which was somewhat higher than the increases of 2.1% in 2001 and 2.4% in 2000.

• 05 Mar 2003
  Ireland: New system seeks to improve efficiency of Labour Inspectorate

  Ireland’s Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment is to introduce a new computer system in 2003 which, it hopes, will increase the speed with which the Labour Inspectorate can process employment rights cases and enquiries. In this feature, we look at the role of the Employment Rights Units in the Department and examine the implications of the new system.

• 05 Mar 2003
  United Kingdom: Progress on work-life balance?

  Three years on from the launch of the UK government’swork-life balancecampaign in March 2000, the topic has become widely researched and debated. This feature reviews the latest developments, to assess what progress has been made in enabling employees to achieve a better balance between work and the rest of their lives.

• 05 Mar 2003
  United Kingdom: Changes in the pay and workload of school teachers

  In February 2003, the School Teachers’ Review Body recommended an increase of 2.9% in the pay scales and allowances for teachers in England and Wales, and the introduction of a new inner Londonpay spine. This followed a historic national agreement in January between government, employers and trade unions on measures to reduce the workload of teachers. This feature examines the links between changes in pay and workload in addressing teachers’ recruitment and retention problems.

• 05 Mar 2003
  EU Level: Commission supports UN action on rights and dignity of people with disabilities

  In January 2003, the European Commission issued a Communication setting out its support for the development of a legally binding United Nations instrument to promote and protect the rights and dignity of people with disabilities. The Commission wants to contribute actively to the development of such an instrument.

• 05 Mar 2003
  EU Level: European sugar industry agrees code of conduct

  In February 2003, the European-level social partners in the sugar industry signed a joint code of conduct setting minimum standards for corporate social responsibility (CSR) in eight areas. The sector is the first to agree voluntarily at European level on minimum CSR standards on a broad scale.

• 05 Mar 2003
  EU Level: Commission assesses progress of social policy agenda

  In February 2003, the European Commission issued a report on the progress of the EU's five-year social policy agenda. The report praises Member States for achieving significant progress in terms of reducing unemployment and working towards the employment targets set at the March 2000 Lisbon Council. However, it also highlights the fact that significant structural labour market weaknesses remain, which may hamper progress in the coming years. This report prepares the ground for a mid-term review of the social policy agenda, which will take place during the first half of 2003.

• 05 Mar 2003
  Austria: Controversy over organised 'social fraud' in construction industry

  During January and February 2003, several media reports of illegal employment practices have supported suspicions of large-scale, organised social security and tax fraud in Austria, in particular in the construction sector. The country's growing informal economy is estimated to represent 10% of GDP, depriving the state of EUR 7 billion in taxes and social insurance contributions. The Chamber of Labour (AK) is thus demanding a set of measures to combat illicit work, particularly in terms of companies' practices.

• 05 Mar 2003
  Belgium: Intersectoral agreement signed for 2003-4

  In January 2003, despite difficult negotiations on issues such as the available margin for pay increases, the Belgian social partners signed a new intersectoral agreement that fixes the framework for collective bargaining in the whole of the private sector over 2003-4. While the signatory parties were largely pleased with the deal, their positions on its strong and weak points vary.

• 05 Mar 2003
  United Kingdom: Government tests new training programme for low-skilled workers

  In September 2002, the UK government launched six pilot schemes designed to test a new policy model for supporting the training of poorly qualified adults in England. This feature looks at the background to the new initiative and some of the main challenges it faces.

• 05 Mar 2003
  United Kingdom: Government code to tackle 'two-tier workforce' in local government services

  In February 2003, the UK government announced details of a new code of practice governing the terms and conditions of the employees of contractors providing services to local authorities. This specifies that new recruits working alongside transferred, former local authority employees must be offered an employment package which is no less favourable in overall terms. The move is in response to a long-running campaign by trade unions for an end to thetwo-tier workforcein the area of local government services.