July 2003
- 31 Jul 2003
EU Level: Draft EU Constitution presented to Thessaloniki Council<#PDF_LINK>The draft of an EU constitutional Treaty was presented to the European Council summit held in Thessaloniki in June 2003. The proposed Treaty, which incorporates the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the EU, will now form the basis for the work of an Intergovernmental Conference, which should produce a final text. The Thessaloniki Council also endorsed the EU's 2003 Broad Economic Policy Guidelines and Employment Guidelines.
- 31 Jul 2003
EU Level: Italian Presidency sets out priorities<#PDF_LINK>The Italian government holds the EU Presidency in the second half of 2003. In the employment and social field, its priorities include achieving a fair balance between flexibility of the labour market and social security, progress towards reform of pension systems, and the promotion of equal opportunities. A highlight of the Presidency will be the convening of an Intergovernmental Conference to agree the text of a new EU constitutional Treaty.
- 30 Jul 2003
Slovenia: Tripartite social agreement signed for 2003-5<#PDF_LINK>In April 2003, the Slovenian government and social partners signed a social agreementfor 2003-5, setting the general direction for economic and social development over the next two years and defining the tasks of the signatories. The main stated aim of the agreement is to achieve a balance between economic efficiency and social and legal security. The accord includes important provisions on issues such as wage policy, employment, training, social dialogue, equal opportunities and taxation.
- 30 Jul 2003
Poland: Unfair employer practices examined<#PDF_LINK>Practices such as delayed payment of wages and failure to make social security contributions on employees' pay are relatively widespread among Polish employers. The problem is not new but has recently received renewed attention from trade unions and the media. Research conducted in May 2003 by the Warsaw School of Economics sheds light on the nature of these unfair employer practices, indicating that some 9% of employees do not receive their wages on time and 17% do not have their social security contributions paid in full. The situation is worst in smaller companies and those in private Polish ownership.
- 30 Jul 2003
Poland: Unemployment in 2002 examined<#PDF_LINK>The unemployment rate in Poland rose to 18.1% in 2002, with over 3.2 million people registered as jobless and long-term unemployment rising rapidly. Unemployment is becoming a major and widespread problem, no longer confined to specific industries or regions (though significant geographical differences persist). This article examines the situation in 2002 in detail, and looks at the measures being used in the fight against unemployment.
- 29 Jul 2003
Sweden: Report highlights artists' social security problems<#PDF_LINK>A government-commissioned report, published in March 2003, examines the problems faced by professional artists in the Swedish social security, unemployment insurance and tax systems. According to the report, these problems are often caused by a lack of knowledge and understanding on the part of the relevant authorities regarding artists’ working and living conditions. Increased competence and a more coordinated handling of artists’ cases could resolve many of the problems, the commissioner states.
- 29 Jul 2003
Poland: Tripartite Commission negotiates employment and development issues<#PDF_LINK>In February 2003, the Minister of Labour proposed a draftpact for labour and developmentto trade unions and employers' organisations represented on Poland's Tripartite Commission for Social and Economic Affairs, with the aim of coming up with a comprehensive solution to address many of the problems currently facing the country. Opposition to the idea of such a pact from the NSZZ Solidarność trade union initially prevented progress on the proposal but - following agreement to drop the termpact- negotiations began in May on the issues raised in the draft.
- 29 Jul 2003
Poland: Regional social dialogue develops<#PDF_LINK>In 2001, new legislation in Poland established regional social dialogue commissions, involving representatives of regional trade union and employers' organisations, regional government and the national government. The role of the 16 commissions is formally a consultative one, but participation in their work is, on the whole, highly regarded by the social partners and by the authorities. This article examines the development of the regional commissions, which were subject to important legislative changes in 2002, and their current position in 2003, drawing on recent research into their impact.
- 29 Jul 2003
Netherlands: Collectively agreed childcare provision under pressure<#PDF_LINK>At the end of 2002, three-quarters of Dutch employees were covered by collective agreements containing childcare arrangements. However, in 2003, in anticipation of new childcare provision legislation due to come into force in 2005, employers are cutting back the proportion of childcare costs that they meet under such agreements. At the same time, the cost of childcare is increasing as market forces take hold in the childcare sector and labour costs rise because of the abolition of state-subsidised employment and wage increases for regular staff.
- 29 Jul 2003
Sweden: Immigrants face persistent employment differentials<#PDF_LINK>A report published by Sweden's Trade Union Institute for Economic Research in December 2002 concludes that, while all immigrant groups become more integrated on the Swedish labour market over time, differences persist compared with native Swedes. For immigrants from eastern Europe and non-European countries especially, the duration of residence has a significant effect on their employment chances. There is also an earnings gap between immigrants and people born in Sweden, but it is relatively small.
- 28 Jul 2003
Netherlands: Industrial relations in agriculture examined<#PDF_LINK>Agriculture remains an important part of the Dutch economy, accounting for around 10% of GDP . The sector is currently undergoing major changes in terms of production, markets and technology, with important implications for employment. This article examines industrial relations in agriculture, looking at the social partners, the unique system of bipartite commodity boards, collective bargaining and the key issues of casual labour and health and safety.
- 28 Jul 2003
Germany: New package of agreements signed in chemicals<#PDF_LINK>In May 2003, a package of new collective agreements was concluded for the western and eastern German chemicals industry. A 13-month pay agreement provides for a flat-rate payment of EUR 40 for the first month, followed by a 2.6% increase. The sector's collective agreement on working time has been amended, while new agreements have been signed on further training and on increasing the number of apprenticeship and training places.
- 28 Jul 2003
Spain: Employers and public authorities found responsible for 'Ardystil syndrome'<#PDF_LINK>In June 2003, a Spanish court issued its judgment on theArdystil syndrome, one of the country's worst occupational health disasters, which resulted in six deaths and over 70 serious illnesses among employees in textile printing companies in Valencia in the early 1990s. The long-awaited ruling found that the employers concerned were clearly responsible, and that the public authorities failed to fulfil their role as a guarantor of safety.
- 28 Jul 2003
Italy: Social partners sign pact for development<#PDF_LINK>In June 2003, after five months of negotiations, the Confindustria employers' confederation and the three main trade union confederations (Cgil, Cisl and Uil) signed a pact aimed at relaunching development, employment and competitiveness in Italy. The agreement focuses on research, training, the South of Italy and infrastructure, and seeks to influence the government's future economic policy.
- 23 Jul 2003
Germany: IG Metall suffers defeat over 35-hour week in east German metalworking<#PDF_LINK>On 28 June 2003, the German Metalworkers' Union (IG Metall) called off a four-week strike in the eastern German metalworking industry, after failing in its attempts to negotiate a 35-hour working week (down from the current 38 hours) with employers' associations. The defeat of the strike is widely seen as a blow to IG Metall - which is now debating the implications - and for the German trade union movement.
- 23 Jul 2003
United Kingdom: Negotiations on new contracts for National Health Service doctors<#PDF_LINK>In June 2003, after prolonged negotiations, UK doctors working in local general practice voted in favour of a new contract, involving significant reforms in in their pay and conditions and in the organisation of primary healthcare services. In July 2003, agreement was reached on a new contract for hospital consultants, subject to approval in a ballot.
- 23 Jul 2003
Finland: New rules proposed on workplace privacy<#PDF_LINK>In June 2003, a working group set up by the Finnish Ministry of Labour issued a proposal for new legislation defining and limiting employers’ rights to use drug tests and video surveillance and to read employees' e-mails. The proposed new rules are intended to complete a law on workplace privacy which was adopted in 2001.
- 23 Jul 2003
Germany: Employers’ organisations demand more flexible industry-wide agreements<#PDF_LINK>In late June 2003, Germany’s largest industrial trade union, IG Metall, halted strikes in the eastern metalworking industry after failing to secure a reduction in the working week. The strike highlighted the trend towards more companies brokering their own deals with their workers, and breaking away from sectoral collective bargaining. Some commentators believe that the fall-out from the failed strike could reinforce important changes in the traditional German wage bargaining system, as more workers accept more flexible working time or lower wages in exchange for job guarantees in individual firms. However, many employers and employers’ organisations still support industry-wide collective agreements, but only if they set moreemployment-friendlyminimum standards and leave enough leeway for flexibility.
- 23 Jul 2003
Bulgaria: New legislation on minimum social insurance thresholds and registration of employment contracts<#PDF_LINK>In 2003, the Bulgarian government, supported by the social partners, has introduced new measures to address two major labour market problems - employment without a signed contract, and the practice of employers paying social insurance contributions on the basis of the national minimum wage, rather than on employees' actual pay. Thus, registration of employment contracts with the National Social Security Institute is now mandatory, while minimum social insurance thresholds have been introduced, which are higher than the national minimum wage and set at different levels for specific sectors and occupations.
- 23 Jul 2003
Austria: Restructuring of public services challenges union demarcation lines<#PDF_LINK>Restructuring of Austria’s public services (eg through privatisation and liberalisation) has changed industrial relations in the organisations concerned, normally replacing state regulation of employment conditions with private sector-style collective bargaining. This shift toquasi-privateemployment relations has challenged the traditionally clear-cut demarcation lines between the membership domains of the unions affiliated to the Austrian Trade Union Federation (ÖGB), and in some cases resulted in inter-union competition for members. A recent demarcation dispute has occurred at the Austro Control air traffic control company.
- 23 Jul 2003
Denmark: Older workers still face labour market difficulties<#PDF_LINK>There is widespread consensus in Denmark that older workers should remain longer on the labour market, in order to maintain the current welfare state in future in the light of demographic change. However, reports published by the social partners in May 2003 highlight the fact that many unemployed people over the age of 50 find it very hard to obtain a new job. Trade unions attribute considerable blame to employers' prejudices against older workers, while employers stress the role of early retirement and unemployment benefit provisions in low activity rates.
- 22 Jul 2003
Sweden: Thematic feature - posted workers<#PDF_LINK>This article examines the Swedish situation, as of June 2003, with regard to: legislation and collective bargaining on the pay and conditions of posted workers (ie workers from one EU Member State posted by their employer to work in another); the number of such posted workers; and the views of the social partners and government on the issue.
- 22 Jul 2003
Germany: Thematic feature - posted workers<#PDF_LINK>This article examines the German situation, as of June 2003, with regard to: legislation and collective bargaining on the pay and conditions of posted workers (ie workers from one EU Member State posted by their employer to work in another); the number of such posted workers; and the views of the social partners and government on the issue.
- 22 Jul 2003
Ireland: Thematic feature - posted workers<#PDF_LINK>This article examines the Irish situation, as of June 2003, with regard to: legislation and collective bargaining on the pay and conditions of posted workers (ie workers from one EU Member State posted by their employer to work in another); the number of such posted workers; and the views of the social partners and government on the issue.
- 22 Jul 2003
Greece: Thematic feature - posted workers<#PDF_LINK>This article examines the Greek situation, as of June 2003, with regard to: legislation and collective bargaining on the pay and conditions of posted workers (ie workers from one EU Member State posted by their employer to work in another); the number of such posted workers; and the views of the social partners and government on the issue.
- 22 Jul 2003
United Kingdom: Thematic feature - posted workers<#PDF_LINK>This article examines the UK situation, as of June 2003, with regard to: legislation and collective bargaining on the pay and conditions of posted workers (ie workers from one EU Member State posted by their employer to work in another); the number of such posted workers; and the views of the social partners and government on the issue.
- 22 Jul 2003
Netherlands: Thematic feature - posted workers<#PDF_LINK>This article examines the Dutch situation, as of June 2003, with regard to: legislation and collective bargaining on the pay and conditions of posted workers (ie workers from one EU Member State posted by their employer to work in another); the number of such posted workers; and the views of the social partners and government on the issue.
- 22 Jul 2003
Norway: Thematic feature - posted workers<#PDF_LINK>This article examines the Norwegian situation, as of June 2003, with regard to: legislation and collective bargaining on the pay and conditions of posted workers (ie workers from one EU Member State posted by their employer to work in another); the number of such posted workers; and the views of the social partners and government on the issue.
- 22 Jul 2003
Austria: Thematic feature - posted workers<#PDF_LINK>This article examines the Austrian situation, as of June 2003, with regard to: legislation and collective bargaining on the pay and conditions of posted workers (ie workers from one EU Member State posted by their employer to work in another); the number of such posted workers; and the views of the social partners and government on the issue.
- 22 Jul 2003
Italy: Thematic feature - posted workers<#PDF_LINK>This article examines the Italian situation, as of June 2003, with regard to: legislation and collective bargaining on the pay and conditions of posted workers (ie workers from one EU Member State posted by their employer to work in another); the number of such posted workers; and the views of the social partners and government on the issue.
- 22 Jul 2003
Portugal: Thematic feature - posted workers<#PDF_LINK>This article examines the Portuguese situation, as of June 2003, with regard to: legislation and collective bargaining on the pay and conditions of posted workers (ie workers from one EU Member State posted by their employer to work in another); the number of such posted workers; and the views of the social partners and government on the issue.
- 22 Jul 2003
Luxembourg: Thematic feature - posted workers<#PDF_LINK>This article examines the Luxembourg situation, as of June 2003, with regard to: legislation and collective bargaining on the pay and conditions of posted workers (ie workers from one EU Member State posted by their employer to work in another); the number of such posted workers; and the views of the social partners and government on the issue.
- 22 Jul 2003
Finland: Thematic feature - posted workers<#PDF_LINK>This article examines the Finnish situation, as of June 2003, with regard to: legislation and collective bargaining on the pay and conditions of posted workers (ie workers from one EU Member State posted by their employer to work in another); the number of such posted workers; and the views of the social partners and government on the issue.
- 22 Jul 2003
Spain: Thematic feature - posted workers<#PDF_LINK>This article examines the Spanish situation, as of June 2003, with regard to: legislation and collective bargaining on the pay and conditions of posted workers (ie workers from one EU Member State posted by their employer to work in another); the number of such posted workers; and the views of the social partners and government on the issue.
- 22 Jul 2003
Denmark: Thematic feature - posted workers<#PDF_LINK>This article examines the Danish situation, as of June 2003, with regard to: legislation and collective bargaining on the pay and conditions of posted workers (ie workers from one EU Member State posted by their employer to work in another); the number of such posted workers; and the views of the social partners and government on the issue.
- 22 Jul 2003
Belgium: Thematic feature - posted workers<#PDF_LINK>This article examines the Belgian situation, as of June 2003, with regard to: legislation and collective bargaining on the pay and conditions of posted workers (ie workers from one EU Member State posted by their employer to work in another); the number of such posted workers; and the views of the social partners and government on the issue.
- 22 Jul 2003
Italy: Draft legislation on labour market reform approved<#PDF_LINK>In June 2003, the Italian government approved a draft decree enacting the recentproxy lawon employment and the labour market. The decree envisages numerous measures and innovations in terms of employment services and contracts - such as staff leasing, on-call work, project work and work/training contracts - and of the involvement of the social partners in management of the labour market. Before the decree is finally passed, it will be discussed by the government and the social partners, which have differing views on the proposals.
- 21 Jul 2003
Ireland: Public service faces challenge of human resources modernisation<#PDF_LINK>Employers and trade unions in the Irish public service are due to hold negotiations in the near future on the various changes associated with modernisation that are expected as a quid quo pro for pay increases recently awarded under abenchmarkingexercise. In this context, a conference held in May 2003 debated the integrated human resource management strategies which are seen as needed if the public sector's performance goals are to be achieved.
- 21 Jul 2003
EU Level: EU-level social partners negotiate joint text on restructuring<#PDF_LINK>In June 2003, negotiators on behalf of the European-level social partners agreed the text of a statement on managing change and its social consequences. The move is in response to the consultation process on restructuring initiated by the European Commission in early 2002. The joint text still requires final approval by the governing bodies of the various social partner organisations, and will then be presented to the Commission.
- 21 Jul 2003
United Kingdom: Government launches new skills strategy<#PDF_LINK>In July 2003, the UK government unveiled its new skills strategy white paper aimed at addressing England’s long-standing skills and productivity weaknesses. This feature examines the background to the white paper as well as the main elements of the new strategy, and reflects on some of the key challenges it is likely to face
- 21 Jul 2003
United Kingdom: Draft information and consultation legislation published<#PDF_LINK>In July 2003, the UK government published draft Regulations that will implement the EU information and consultation Directive. The approach adopted in the Regulations is based on a framework agreed between the government, the Confederation of British Industry and the Trades Union Congress.
- 10 Jul 2003
France: 'Methods agreement' signed on GIAT restructuring<#PDF_LINK>In May 2003, amethods agreementwas signed between trade unions and management at GIAT Industries, the French arms manufacturer. The agreement sets out a procedure and timetable for consultations over a major restructuring plan involving large-scale job losses which the company announced in April. In line with this procedure, a draftcompany contract, outlining the state's commitments and GIAT's plans for the 2003-8 period, was presented in June and criticised by the unions.
- 10 Jul 2003
France: Impact of unemployment insurance reform becomes clearer<#PDF_LINK>A reform of France'sUNEDICunemployment insurance scheme agreed by employers' organisations and three trade union confederations in December 2002 will substantially restrict unemployment benefit entitlements when new eligibility rules come into force on 1 January 2004. In mid-2003, UNEDIC issued figures indicating that cuts in entitlement will affect between 610,000 and 860,000 people currently in receipt of benefit. These figures have fuelled new criticism from the union confederations (CGT and CGT-FO), which did not sign the reform agreement.
- 10 Jul 2003
France: Air Lib controversy rumbles on<#PDF_LINK>In summer 2003, attempts are continuing to redeploy the 3,200 employees of the French airline, Air Lib, which went into liquidation in February. Meanwhile, the legal authorities and parliament have both been conducting investigations into the circumstances surrounding the takeover and subsequent bankruptcy of the company .
- 09 Jul 2003
Slovakia: Project supports social dialogue<#PDF_LINK>Over 2002-3, a project under the EU's PHARE programme is providing support for the development of social dialogue in Slovakia. It focuses on bipartite social dialogue and collective bargaining and issues such as the establishment of works councils in two pilot sectors - chemicals and construction. A key feature of the project is the transfer of knowledge from the the current EU and the training of Slovak social partner representatives.
- 09 Jul 2003
Spain: Telefónica announces workforce reductions<#PDF_LINK>In June 2003, Telefónica de España - the Spanish fixed telephony business of the Telefónica group - announced plans for a workforce reduction of around 11% in the short term, in order to deal with market difficulties and improve competitiveness. Negotiations are due to start on a redundancy procedure with trade unions.
- 09 Jul 2003
Poland: Breaches of pay and benefits law decline<#PDF_LINK>In 2002, Poland's State Labour Inspection found that, overall, compliance by employers with labour law in terms of payment of remuneration and other employee benefits improved somewhat. However, the total value of unpaid wages and benefits rose sharply, in a context of economic difficulties for employers and the economy.
- 09 Jul 2003
Poland: Collective labour disputes and strikes decline<#PDF_LINK>According to figures published in 2003, tn 2002 the number of registered collective labour disputes in Poland fell below 100 for the first time in six years, while the year saw only one strike, compared with 11 in 2001. However, protest actions outside the employer's premises became increasingly frequent.
- 09 Jul 2003
Sweden: Committee proposes simpler leave rules<#PDF_LINK>In June 2003, after three years work, a Swedish governmental working time committee presented its final report. Its main proposals are for simpler rules on annual leave and other forms of leave for employees.
- 09 Jul 2003
Netherlands: FNV forced to restructure<#PDF_LINK>In June 2003, the Dutch Trade Union Federation (FNV) decided on major cutbacks and restructuring as a result of its poor financial position. Its budget is to be cut by a quarter, activities are to be reduced (notably at regional level) and up to 90 out of 240 jobs may be lost.
- 09 Jul 2003
Portugal: Government proposes 'social contract' to social partners<#PDF_LINK>In June 2003, the Portuguese government submitted a draftSocial contract for competitiveness and employmentto the social partners, aimed at achieving convergence with average EU levels of productivity and purchasing power, combating tax fraud and evasion, and increasing competitiveness. The government wants employers and trade unions to agree to pay moderation and biannual wage bargaining, along with investment in innovation and training and a review of company taxation.
- 09 Jul 2003
Luxembourg: Sexual harassment guidelines drawn up for finance sector<#PDF_LINK>In May 2003, all companies in the Luxembourg finance sector were asked to adopt a set of guidelines on tackling sexual harassment and to distribute them to their workforces. This initiative was launched by organisations representing the sector's employers, personnel managers and occupational health services, and includes the creation of a panel of external confidential advisers to whom employees can refer cases of sexual harassment.
- 09 Jul 2003
Italy: Referendum on dismissals rules fails owing to low turn-out<#PDF_LINK>A referendum on extending the right to reinstatement for unfairly dismissed workers provided by Article 18 of the Workers' Statute to all companies (it currently applies only to those with over 15 workers) was held in Italy in June 2003. However, it failed because only 25.7% of the Italian electorate went to the polls, while a turn-out of more than 50% was needed to make the referendum valid. The referendum reopened divisions between the trade unions.
- 08 Jul 2003
Germany: Government proposes measures to reform skilled crafts<#PDF_LINK>In May 2003, the German government approved proposals to lift the requirement for those practising 65 professions to hold amastercraft worker’s certificate. If this plan becomes law, it will, with the exception of some sectors, no longer be necessary to possess a master craft worker’s qualification to run a business related to a skilled trade.
- 08 Jul 2003
Germany: 35-hour week agreed in eastern steel industry<#PDF_LINK>In June 2003, the bargaining parties in the eastern German steel industry signed a new collective agreement on the staged introduction of a 35-hour working week by 2009. The deal was reached after four days of strike action.
- 08 Jul 2003
Finland: Paperworkers’ president to head KEY-Finland in Brussels<#PDF_LINK>In June 2003, the Finnish trade union confederations SAK, STTK and AKAVA invited Jarmo Lähteenmäki, the president of the Finnish Paperworkers’ Union, to become director of KEY-Finland from 1 April 2004. KEY-Finland is the joint mission of the Finnish unions in Brussels.
- 08 Jul 2003
Denmark: Building industry unions cease cooperation with employers’ association<#PDF_LINK>In summer 2003, trade unions in the Danish building industry broke off cooperation with the Association of Employers in the Danish Building Industry because its managing director advised employers in the industry to use cheap labour from central and eastern European countries when they join the EU in May 2004.
- 08 Jul 2003
Hungary: No agreement on reduction of statutory working time<#PDF_LINK>In November 2002, it was agreed that Hungary's tripartite National Interest Reconciliation Council (OÉT) would launch negotiations on the reduction of working time, with a view to reaching an agreement by June 2003. However, by the time of the meeting of the OÉT held on 25 June no decision had been reached on the trade unions' demands for statutory reduction of working time, and negotiations appear to have been postponed for now.
- 08 Jul 2003
Germany: Survey indicates smaller apprenticeship shortfall<#PDF_LINK>According to the findings of a survey by the Cologne Institute for Business Research, published in June 2003, Germany's shortfall in vocational training places is likely to be 20,000-30,000 places in autumn 2003, much lower than the 70,000 earlier predicted by the Federal Labour Office. Despite this improved forecast, the survey identifies a number of employer concerns about the vocational training system.
- 08 Jul 2003
United Kingdom: Fire service pay dispute settled<#PDF_LINK>The long-running pay dispute affecting the UK’s fire service ended in mid-June 2003 when a special conference of the Fire Brigades’ Union voted to accept a revised pay deal.
- 08 Jul 2003
United Kingdom: CBI report urges retention of individual opt-out from 48-hour week<#PDF_LINK>In June 2003, the Confederation of British Industry published a report arguing that the removal of the scope under the EU working time Directive for individual employees to opt out of the 48-hour limit on average weekly working hours could have a severe impact on the competitiveness of UK businesses.
- 08 Jul 2003
Belgium: Restructuring and job losses planned in aeronautical industry<#PDF_LINK>Two major companies in the Belgian aeronautical industry, Sabca and Sonaca, have been forced by the sector's difficulties to restructure their activities. Plans announced by the two Wallonia-based companies in spring 2003 will involve making several hundred workers redundant. The trade unions are demanding alternative solutions, and stepped up protest work stoppages during June.
- 08 Jul 2003
Austria: Government proposes amendments to Shop Opening Hours Act<#PDF_LINK>In May 2003, the Austrian cabinet agreed on a proposed amendment to the Shop Opening Hours Act, which was likely to be passed by parliament in July 2003. This amendment, in principle, will only modestly liberalise Austria’s relatively restrictive opening hours regulations. However, certain clauses - opposed by trade unions - will entitle the governors of the regions (Länder) to overrule the Act's general provisions, including the possibility of abolishing the general ban on Sunday and holiday opening.
- 08 Jul 2003
EU Level: Commission issues Communication on immigration, integration and employment<#PDF_LINK>In June 2003, the European Commission launched a Communication dealing with the issue of immigration in an employment context. It states that more must be done to integrate existing immigrants and facilitate future immigration, in order to fill EU skills and employment gaps in the future.
- 08 Jul 2003
EU Level: Anti-discrimination awareness campaign launched<#PDF_LINK>In mid-June 2003, the European Commission launched a campaign to increase awareness of discrimination. It believes that there is a need for such awareness-raising, given that two new anti-discrimination Directives come into force during 2003 and that a recent survey has shown that the majority of EU citizens are not aware of their rights in this area.
- 08 Jul 2003
Ireland: Public health doctors strike ends after pay deal<#PDF_LINK>Ireland’s public health doctors returned to work in June 2003, after 10 weeks on strike, when the Irish Medical Organisation (IMO) and the Health Service Employers Agency (HSEA) decided to accept pay and restructuring proposals brokered by the Labour Relations Commission and the ad hoc Public Service Adjudication Board.
- 08 Jul 2003
Latvia: Government plans to double minimum wage<#PDF_LINK>In late May 2003, the Latvian government announced that it plans to double the national minimum wage over a period of seven years. The current monthly minimum of EUR 106 for full-time employees will be increased by 14.3% in 2004, to stand at EUR 121, and should rise to EUR 210 (50% of the average gross wage) by 2010. The plans have met with a mixed reaction from the social partners and experts.
- 02 Jul 2003
Portugal: Social partners debate corporate social responsibility<#PDF_LINK>A seminar on corporate social responsibility (CSR) held in Portugal in June 2003 aimed to promote debate on the issue with a view to improving understanding of the principles and practices involved. The occasion presented the social partners with an opportunity to give their views on CSR, and they all stressed that one of the prerequisites in Portugal is respect for existing laws on economic activity, employment and the environment.
- 01 Jul 2003
EU Countries: Overtime in Europe<#PDF_LINK>Overtime remains a significant issue in working time across Europe, regarded by many employers as a vital element in achieving flexibility and by many employees as an important source of income. However, the regulation and use of overtime is changing rapidly in a large number of countries, under pressure from new, more sophisticated forms of working time flexibility, from EU legislation and policy and from trade union and (sometimes) government concerns to reduce working time. In this comparative study, we examine: the regulation of overtime through legislation and collective agreements; the level of overtime working; and the positions, strategies and debates of the industrial relations actors.
- 01 Jul 2003
EU Countries: Arbeitskosten - jährliches Update 2001<#PDF_LINK>In diesem jährlichen Update untersuchen wir, wie sich im Zeitraum 1999-2001 die Arbeitskosten je Stunde in der Europäischen Union (und Norwegen) entwickelten. Wie wir feststellen mussten, sind die nationalen Daten sehr lückenhaft, namentlich im Hinblick auf die absolute Höhe der Arbeitskosten, doch konnten wir mit Hilfe von Eurostat und anderen Quellen einige Lücken schließen. Gesamtwirtschaftlich betrachtet differieren die durchschnittlichen Gesamtarbeitskosten je Stunde in den 16 untersuchten Ländern um den Faktor vier, wobei das Kostenniveau in Österreich, Belgien, Dänemark, Deutschland, Norwegen und Schweden am höchsten und in Italien, Spanien, Griechenland und Portugal am niedrigsten war. Im Schnitt macht das Direktentgelt zwei Drittel bis drei Viertel der Gesamtarbeitskosten (je nach verwendeter Maßzahl) aus und rangieren die Sozialbeiträge der Arbeitgeber an zweiter Stelle, wenngleich die Struktur der Arbeitskosten in den einzelnen Ländern stark voneinander abweicht. In den letzten Jahren war bei den stündlichen Arbeitskosten ein deutlicher Aufwärtstrend erkennbar, stieg doch die durchschnittliche Zuwachsrate, die 1999 bei 3,3 % gelegen hatte, in den beiden Folgejahren auf 3,8 % bzw. 4,3 %. Im verarbeitenden Gewerbe und im Kredit- und Versicherungsgewerbe liegen die Arbeitskosten in der Regel über dem gesamtwirtschaftlichen Durchschnitt.