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March 2004

• 31 Mar 2004
  Italy: First national agreement signed for 'coordinated freelance workers' in outsourced call centres

  In early March 2004, trade unions and employers signed a first national agreement regulating coordinated freelance contracts(a form of atypical work midway between self-employment and dependent employment) in outsourced call centres, a sector which employs 180,000 people, 10,000 of whom are covered by the agreement. The deal includes a series of rules on the use of coordinated freelance workers and their rights and protection with regard to working time, types of work, vocational training,, termination of the work contract, maternity, sickness, end-of-service allowances and minimum pay.

• 31 Mar 2004
  Norway: Changes to employment legislation proposed

  A public committee examining changes to Norway's working environment legislation issued its report in February 2004. It recommends a range of minor and major alterations to the present legal framework, in areas such as discrimination, monitoring and control at work, information and consultation, and transfers of undertakings. The committee’s majority recommendations regarding changes to the rules on working time and temporary employment have met with strong opposition from trade unions.

• 31 Mar 2004
  Italy: New bargaining structure agreed in artisanal sector

  In March 2004, trade unions and employers' organisations in Italy's artisanal (small crafts businesses) sector signed an important agreement, which reorganises the collective bargaining structure, giving more importance to pay bargaining at local level. The accord also relaunches the artisanal supplementary pensions scheme, reinforces the role of joint union-employer bodies, and seeks to extend income support measures for laid-off and redundant workers to this sector. The agreement has caused divisions within the Cgil trade union confederation.

• 31 Mar 2004
  Denmark: Overall compromise reached in private sector bargaining

  In March 2004, collective bargaining in Denmark's main private sector bargaining area was concluded when the central organisations, the Danish Confederation of Trade Unions (LO) and the Danish Employers’ Confederation (DA), signed a three-year overall compromise settlement drawn up by the Public Conciliation Service, which largely follows the lines of an agreement reached in the industry sector in February. The issues of centralised arrangements for employer-financed additional maternity/paternity leave and benefits, and of whether work done to catch up with production lost due to unlawful strikes should attract overtime pay, continued to cause problems up to the last minute. The former issue brought the bargaining parties and politicians close to entering one another's spheres of influence, a development which may have major consequences for the Danish bargaining model.

• 31 Mar 2004
  Netherlands: Most employers positive about extension of collective agreements

  Research published in December 2003 finds that most Dutch employers favour the extension of sector-wide collective agreements (ie to cover non-signatory employers within the sector). However, a sizeable minority would expect benefits from switching over to company-level collective agreements. Recently, a growing number of employers seem to be seeking actively to escape their obligations arising from extended sectoral collective agreements, by signing separate agreements with non-mainstream trade unions.

• 31 Mar 2004
  Netherlands: Bargaining under the central wage freeze

  A central tripartite agreement signed in the Netherlands in autumn 2003 imposes a pay freeze for 2004. This agreement is casting a shadow over the 2004 collective bargaining round, and trade unions are seeking to test the limits of the wage freeze. This article looks at developments in the bargaining round up to March 2004,

• 30 Mar 2004
  Spain: Survey examines work satisfaction and quality

  In early 2004, the Spanish Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs published the results of its 2003 Survey of Quality of Life at Work (ECVT). The main findings include that: there is generally relatively little flexibility in working time; nearly half of all part-time workers and over two-thirds of temporary workers are not in these forms of employment voluntarily; stress levels are higher in the public sector than the private, and among men; and the main sources of satisfaction at work are a good working environment and enjoyment of the job.

• 30 Mar 2004
  Spain: Employment situation of people with disabilities examined

  In 2003, the European Year of People with Disabilities, Spain's central trade union and employers' organisations agreed to promote the integration of disabled people in employment through collective bargaining. This article examines examines the current employment situation of people with disabilities, the relevant labour legislation and the recent activities of the social partners in this area.

• 30 Mar 2004
  France: Disability legislation to be reformed

  In January 2004, the French government issued a bill on promoting equality for people with disabilities. The draft legislation, which has already been amended by the Senate, includes provisions to promote the employment of disabled workers in the mainstream labour market, such as a requirement on employers to make reasonable accommodationfor such workers and an obligation for employers and trade unions to hold regular negotiations on relevant issues.

• 30 Mar 2004
  France: Reports make proposals on employment law and policy

  Late 2003 and early 2004 saw the presentation of three reports on employment law and policy commissioned by the French government. It is expected that some of the reports' proposals will be included in a draft law on mobilisation on employmentthat the government is due to place before parliament in spring 2004.

• 30 Mar 2004
  France: Report highlights child poverty

  According to a report published in February 2004 by the Council for Employment, Income and Social Cohesion (CERC), some 1 million children in France live below the poverty threshold. The report finds that this phenomenon particularly affects lone-parent and large families, and studies its causes, such as the parents’ weak employment status (low wages, poor conditions or unemployment) and difficulty combining work with childcare. To break away from the poverty cycle, CERC suggests moving towards a more redistributive system of social transfers.

• 30 Mar 2004
  Sweden: First agreements in 2004 bargaining round concluded in industry

  The first sectoral collective agreements in Sweden's 2004 bargaining round were signed on 18 March in four industrial sectors - paper and pulp, steel and metals, chemicals and engineering. The three-year agreements, which cover about 300,000 employees, provide generally for a 6.8% pay rise, plus working time cuts worth a further 0.5%.

• 30 Mar 2004
  Spain: CEOE competitiveness report calls for industrial relations reform

  In December 2003, the Spanish Confederation of Employers' Organisations (CEOE) published a report on the competitive situation of the Spanish economy in the light of increasing globalisation. The report's recommendations include changes to labour market regulation and the industrial relations system.

• 30 Mar 2004
  Spain: Study highlights costs of workplace accidents and occupational illnesses

  In early 2004, the Trade Union Confederation of Workers' Commissions (CC.OO) published a study examining the economic costs of industrial accidents and occupational illnesses in Spain. It puts the annual total cost at almost EUR 12 billion, equivalent to 1.72% of GDP. The report claims that the issue is not an urgent priority for Spanish employers, and a major reason is that a large part of the cost is met not by companies but by the public welfare system or the victims of accidents and illnesses.

• 29 Mar 2004
  Slovenia: Seven unions hold general warning strike in industry

  Almost 120,000 workers took part in a one-hour general warning strike called in Slovenia on 25 February 2004 by seven industrial sector trade unions affiliated to the Union of Free Trade Unions of Slovenia (ZSSS). The unions are demanding an immediate start to negotiations over the revision of the collective agreements in individual sectors, resulting in significant pay increases. Employers claims that wage rises would increase operating costs and lead to job losses, an argument rejected by the unions.

• 29 Mar 2004
  Germany: New collective agreements signed in metalworking

  In February 2004, the collective bargaining parties in the metalworking industry in the German region of Baden-Württemberg signed new collective agreements. The settlement, which was subsequently adopted as a pilot agreementin the industry's other bargaining regions, provides for a pay increase of 2.2% in 2004 and a further increase of 2.7% in 2005. As part of the compromise, it was agreed that under certain conditions up to 50% of employees in a firm could work up to 40 hours a week - a deviation from the standard 35-hour week.

• 29 Mar 2004
  Germany: IW conference examines current trends in collective bargaining

  At a conference organised by the Cologne Institute for Business Research (IW) in February 2004, representatives of employers and some academics called for reform of the system of negotiating industry-wide collective agreements in Germany. This demand was reinforced by the results of a recent survey carried out by the IfD polling institute, which found that more than 80% of employers in the metalworking and electrical industry consider it necessary to move away from the relatively rigid working time regulations laid down in collective agreements and, instead, negotiate individual working times.

• 29 Mar 2004
  Belgium: Draft agreement on railway restucturing

  In February 2004, after lengthy negotiations, management and trade unions at Belgian Railways (SNCB/NMBS) concluded draft agreements on the social aspects of the company's modernisation plan and on its future structure. However, the issues of workers' geographical mobility, flexibility and retraining were not resolved and were referred to the railways joint committee. The talks should be completed by the end of June 2004.

• 29 Mar 2004
  Finland: Pension reform seeks to encourage longer careers

  New legislation on private sector state pensions will come into force in Finland in 2005. The reform will reduce the possibilities of early retirement, while financial incentives will be provided for staying in work longer. According to a recent survey, the incentives will have a significant effect on workers’ retirement plans - one-third intend to remain in employment after the new qualifying age of 63 for an old-age pension.

• 29 Mar 2004
  Austria: Controversy over quota for foreign seasonal workers

  In recent years, seasonal labour has been playing an increasingly important part in Austria’s labour market, since the government has pursued a generous quota policy for foreign seasonal workers and has opened access to this kind of employment to all sectors. In early 2004, the WKÖ employers’ organisation, like most employers, is demanding a further extension of the seasonal labour scheme. Representatives of organised labour, however, claim that this form of atypical workwill endanger Austrian standards in terms of employment, income and working conditions.

• 29 Mar 2004
  Romania: IMF and Romanian social partners hold talks

  On a visit to Romania in February-March 2004, International Monetary Fund (IMF) officials held informal consultations with nationally representative trade unions’ confederations and employers’ organisations. The social partners all expressed their support for a reduction in labour taxation, while trade unions also called for an increase in the public deficit. Although the government seems to be in favour of such demands, at present it faces difficulties in accommodating a number of contrasting pressures.

• 29 Mar 2004
  Estonia: Social partners criticise draft Social Dialogue Act

  The Estonian government is seeking to enact a Social Dialogue Act, implementing various EU information and consultation Directives, in May 2004, the date of the country's EU accession. Tripartite discussions over the draft legislation have been proceeding since 2003, but trade unions and employers' organisations still have major criticisms of the proposals.

• 29 Mar 2004
  Cyprus: Unions target deregulated employment conditions in media sector

  In early 2004, trade unions in the mass media sector in Cyprus launched a process aimed at creating a joint body for union action in the industry. The aim is to address what the unions regard as serious problems regarding deregulation of terms and conditions of employment. This article examines the current state of industrial relations in the printed press and broadcast media and the unions' new initiative.

• 24 Mar 2004
  EU Level: March social and employment Council

  An EU social policy and employment Council meeting took place in early March 2004, at which a variety of topics were discussed, including preparations for the spring European Council and tripartite social summit. The Council also took note of a range of reports and held an exchange of views on the Commission’s recent Communication on the 1993 working time Directive.

• 24 Mar 2004
  EU Level: ILO World Commission issues report on globalisation

  The ILO’s World Commission on the Social Dimension of Globalisation issued its final report in February 2004. It states that building a fair and inclusive globalisation should become a worldwide priority, and calls for an urgent rethink of current policies and institutions of global governance.

• 23 Mar 2004
  EU Level: New social dialogue committee in local and regional government 

  The EU-level social partners in the local and regional government sector established a European sectoral social dialogue committee in January 2004. The new committee has drawn up a work programme and adopted a joint statement on telework.

• 23 Mar 2004
  Ireland: Conflict over restructuring in state transport sector

  In March 2004, strikes were averted at the last minute at Ireland's state-owned airport company, Aer Rianta, and national rail and bus company, CIE. The action had been called as part of a conflict over the government's proposed restructuring of the state transport sector. The Aer Lingus airline is also facing mounting industrial relations strife.

• 22 Mar 2004
  United Kingdom: Industrial relations developments in the automotive sector

  This feature highlights the main industrial relations developments in the UK automotive sector over 2003 and early 2004, including the outcome of the 2003 pay round.

• 22 Mar 2004
  United Kingdom: School teachers face changes in pay structures and performance management

  In November 2003, the School Teachers’ Review Body made recommendations which resulted in teachers’ first multi-year pay award. Its latest report, published in March 2004, proposes significant changes in salary structures and performance management. The changes affect half a million teachers in England and Wales.

• 22 Mar 2004
  United Kingdom: Government extends minimum wage to 16 and 17 year olds

  In March 2004, the UK government announced that the adult hourly rate of the national minimum wage will be increased in October 2004 to GBP 4.85, with a rate for 18-21 year olds of GBP 4.10 per hour. The government also announced its decision to introduce for the first time a minimum wage for 16 and 17 year olds, of GBP 3.00 per hour from October 2004.

• 11 Mar 2004
  Latvia: Long-service pensions under debate

  Early long-servicepensions for workers in dangerous occupations, or jobs where work performance depends heavily on age and health, were largely abolished in Latvia in the mid-1990s. However, in February 2004, parliament supported at first reading draft legislation that would reintroduce long-service pensions for performing artists employed by the state. This has raised the issue of re-establishing long-service pensions more widely - for example, the LDzA rail workers' trade union has suggested such pensions for train drivers.

• 11 Mar 2004
  Romania: Major pay dispute hits railways

  Romanian rail workers' trade unions have called an indefinite strike from 15 March 2003, following the breakdown of bargaining over a new collective agreement for the railway sector. The key issue at dispute is the pay rise, with the Ministry of Public Finance rejecting the unions' demands. A well-supported warning strike has already been held on 1 March 2004.

• 11 Mar 2004
  Italy: Agreement on joint approach to 'Responsible Care' in chemicals sector

  In late January 2004, the social partners in the Italian chemicals sector signed an agreement providing for close collaboration between companies and trade unions in implementing the Responsible Careprogramme, on the basis of a joint approach. Responsible Care is the chemicals industry's voluntary worldwide initiative on health, safety and the environment.

• 11 Mar 2004
  Sweden: 'Adjustment agreement' concluded for blue-collar workers in private sector

  In February 2004, after three years of negotiations, the Confederation of Swedish Enterprise and the Swedish Confederation of Trade Unions (LO) concluded an adjustment agreementfor blue-collar workers in the private sector. The agreement provides financial benefits and other support to workers who are made redundant.

• 11 Mar 2004
  France: Strike at Radio France

  During January and February 2004, industrial action by Radio France journalists disrupted programmes at the public broadcaster’s various stations for several weeks. Management and trade unions were finally able to reach a wage agreement.

• 11 Mar 2004
  France: CGT-FO holds congress

  In February 2004, France's CGT-FO trade union confederation held its 20th congress. Marc Blondel, the general secretary since 1989, retired and Jean-Claude Mailly was elected to succeed him.

• 11 Mar 2004
  Italy: Social partners agree joint platform for development of textiles sector

  In January 2004, trade unions and employers’ organisations in the Italian textiles and garments sector presented a joint platform of demands to the European Commission, proposing measures aimed at ensuring the future of the industry in the EU, in the face of increasing competition.

• 11 Mar 2004
  EU Countries: Arbeitsbeziehungen in der Automobilindustrie

  In der Automobilindustrie, die die Herstellung von Fahrzeugen und Komponenten einschließt, sind rund 8 % aller in der verarbeitenden Industrie tätigen Arbeitnehmer der EU beschäftigt. Ihre Bedeutung geht allerdings weit darüber hinaus, nicht zuletzt als traditionelle Hochburg der Gewerkschaften und Tarifverhandlungen und als innovative Kraft in Bereichen wie der Produktionsorganisation und den Arbeitsbeziehungen. In dieser Vergleichsstudie werden die wichtigsten Aspekte der Arbeitsbeziehungen in der Automobilindustrie in den derzeitigen Mitgliedstaaten der EU, in Norwegen und vier der 2004 beitretenden Länder (Ungarn, Polen, der Slowakei und Slowenien) analysiert. Dabei werden die Hauptmerkmale der Arbeitnehmer- und Arbeitgeberorganisationen, der Tarif- und Unternehmenspolitik untersucht. Besonderes Augenmerk wird auf Anzeichen für das Entstehen transnationaler Arbeitsbeziehungen in diesem Wirtschaftssektor gelegt.

• 11 Mar 2004
  EU Countries: Les relations industrielles dans l’industrie automobile

  L’industrie automobile, englobant la fabrication de véhicules et de pièces, emploie environ 8% de la main d’œuvre de l’industrie manufacturière de l’UE. Mais son importance va bien au-delà, et ce n’est pas négligeable, puisque elle constitue un bastion traditionnel des syndicats et de la négociation collective et également une source importante d’innovations dans des domaines tels que l’organisation de la production et les relations industrielles. La présente étude comparative analyse les principales caractéristiques des relations industrielles dans l’industrie automobile des États membres actuels de l’UE, de la Norvège et de quatre des pays qui vont rejoindre l’UE en 2004 (Hongrie, Pologne, Slovaquie et Slovénie). Elle examine les particularités de la représentation syndicale et patronale, des négociations collectives et des politiques adoptées par les entreprises, tout en considérant avec une attention spéciale les manifestations de l’émergence d’une certaine forme de relations industrielles transnationales dans le secteur.

• 10 Mar 2004
  EU Countries: Gender equality plans at the workplace

  This comparative study analyses the issue of workplace plans aimed at achieving greater equality between women and men. Looking at the current European Union, Norway, and a number of new Member States joining the EU in 2004, it examines the regulatory framework for such plans and the extent and nature of equality plans in practice. The study finds that the issue is rarely dealt within collective bargaining above the company level, and that legislation on workplace equality plans is infrequent in the private sector, though somewhat more common in the public sector. In practice, gender equality plans are rare, at least in the private sector, in most countries (though data on this point are very scarce), arguably assuming greatest importance in the two countries with legislation making such plans obligatory - Finland and Sweden. Where they exist, their content tends to be quite similar across the countries examined.

• 10 Mar 2004
  Spain: Workforce and pay cuts at Fisipe

  In early 2004, the Portuguese-based textiles multinational Fisipe proposed to reduce pay at its Spanish plant by 15% and make 30 employees redundant, in order to be able to sell the operation to a Spanish investor. A mass meeting of workers accepted the proposal, despite the opposition of the workers' committee.

• 10 Mar 2004
  Spain: Self-employment examined

  Recent figures indicate that self-employment started to increase in Spain in late 2003, following some year of decline. Self-employed people make up around 16% of the active population.

• 10 Mar 2004
  Spain: Expert Components deal cuts annual working days

  In February 2004, management and the majority of the workers' committee at Expert Components, a supplier of Volkswagen's Landaben plant in Spain, signed an agreement which sets working time for 2004 at 210 days, three fewer than in 2003. The move aims to synchronise production with that at the Landaben factory.

• 10 Mar 2004
  Spain: CC.OO focuses on young workers

  In early 2004, Spain's CC.OO trade union confederation launched a campaign to recruit young workers. It highlights the issue of precarious and unstable employment and working conditions.

• 10 Mar 2004
  Spain: Dispute hits Andalusia shipyards

  Workers at the three Izar shipyards in Andalusia,, southern Spain, are threatened with lay-offs due to a lack of work from 2005. Meanwhile, collective bargaining for the shipyards is deadlocked in early 2004 due to disagreement over pay increases. The situation led to high-profile protests by the workforce in February.

• 10 Mar 2004
  Spain: Job losses and pay cut at Printer

  February 2004 saw industrial action at Printer, a graphical company (part of the German Bertelsmann group) based in Barcelona, over management plans to cut nearly 100 jobs and reduce pay by 18%-24%.

• 09 Mar 2004
  Malta: Spotlight on employment issues

  In February 2004, the opposition Malta Labour Party (MLP) organised protests over the employment situation, accusing the governing Nationalist Party (NP) of being unable to generate new jobs. However, the government is confident that the various measures it is taking, and impending EU membership, will soon boost the Maltese economy. The government is currently preparing a National Action Plan (NAP) for employment, which is to be discussed with the social partners.

• 09 Mar 2004
  Norway: Wage growth eased in 2003

  Wages in Norway rose on average by 4½% in 2003, according to figures issued in February 2004 by the Technical Calculating Committee on Incomes Settlements. This compares with wage growth of 5.7% in 2002. The average growth in real wages was 2% from 2002 to 2003.

• 09 Mar 2004
  Netherlands: SER proposes new system of occupational health services

  In February 2004, the Netherlands' tripartite Social and Economic Council (SER) issued an opinion, recommending a new system of organising occupation health services in companies. It proposes allowing companies to opt out of using external services, by agreement with trade unions or employee representatives.

• 09 Mar 2004
  France: Single Equality Authority to be established

  In February 2004, the French government announced that it is preparing to establish a single Equality Authority to combat discrimination in all areas and champion equality. The creation of such a body was proposed in a recent report by the State Ombudsman.

• 09 Mar 2004
  Denmark: EU consultation Directive incorporated in DA-LO cooperation agreement

  In February 2004, the Confederation of Danish Trade Unions (LO) and Danish Employers' Confederation (DA) agreed to incorporate the 2002 EU information and consultation Directive into their existing cooperation agreement. The main effect is that company-level cooperation committees must in future consult all staff groups and not only those covered by a DA-LO collective agreement.

• 09 Mar 2004
  Bulgaria: Unions oppose proposed restrictions on protest rights

  In February 2004, the Bulgarian government proposed amendments to the legislation governing meetings, demonstrations and protest rallies, aimed at placing a number of restrictions on some aspects of such protests. Trade unions and some NGOs are strongly opposed to the proposals.

• 09 Mar 2004
  Belgium: Healthcare workers demonstrate for improved pay and conditions

  On 16 February 2004, over 10,000 workers employed in the Belgian healthcare sector held a demonstration in Brussels to demand improved pay and conditions in a new collective agreement to take effect from 2005. The government first wants to assess the effects of the current agreement concluded in 2000.

• 09 Mar 2004
  Greece: GSEE proposes measures to address burn-out

  In February 2004, at a seminar on occupational burn-out, the Greek General Confederation of Labour (GSEE) made a number of proposals for preventing burn-out at work, including information provision, work reorganisation and recognition of burn-out as an occupational illness, as well as proper implementation of health and safety regulations

• 08 Mar 2004
  Germany: Few employees 'engaged' in their jobs, poll finds

  According to a survey by Gallup, most Germans feel disengagedfrom their jobs. The international study, published in December 2003 was widely discussed in the German media in January and February 2004, but its significance was played down by employers' representatives.

• 08 Mar 2004
  United Kingdom: Land Rover employees accept pay deal

  In February 2004, following a second 24-hour strike at car manufacturer Land Rover in the UK, negotiations between management and trade unions paved the way for a further ballot in which Land Rover employees voted to accept the company’s 2003 pay offer by a two-thirds majority.

• 08 Mar 2004
  United Kingdom: Controversy over union modernisation fund

  In February 2004, the UK government tabled an amendment to the Employment Relations Bill to enable the establishment of a new funding scheme to assist trade unions to modernise their operations. The move has been strongly attacked by employers and by opposition members of Parliament.

• 08 Mar 2004
  Germany: New agreements signed for newspaper staff

  In late February 2004, following four weeks of strike action, new collective agreements were reached for editorial staff on German daily newspapers. With effect from 1 June 2004, there will be a pay increase of 1.3%. The amount of paid annual leave, however, will be cut and the annual holiday bonus will be reduced from 100% of a month's pay to 80%.

• 08 Mar 2004
  Austria: Government plans seven-year transitional period for workers from central and eastern Europe

  In February 2004, the Austrian government presented draft legislation whereby access to the country's labour market will continue to be restricted, for a seven-year transitional period, for workers from new central and eastern European Member States joining the EU in May 2004. Employers are unhappy with the planned transitional period itself, while trade unions have criticised the lack of any attendant measures to improve Austria’s general labour market situation.

• 08 Mar 2004
  Finland: Employers’ confederations agree merger

  In February 2004, the boards of the Confederation of Finnish Industry and Employers (TT) and the Employers’ Confederation of Service Industries (PT) agreed on a merger to create a new central employers' organisation, Finnish Industries (EK). EK will become operational in autumn 2004 and will represent at least 15,000 companies that together account for over 70% of Finland’s GNP.

• 08 Mar 2004
  EU Level: Report highlights persistent gender gaps

  The European Commission published its first annual report on progress towards gender mainstreaming in February 2004. It finds that despite some improvements, significant gender gaps remain across the EU, especially in the labour market.

• 08 Mar 2004
  EU Level: Commission consults on directors’ pay

  Consultations on the subject of company directors’ remuneration were launched by the European Commission in February 2004, as part of an action plan to modernise company law and improve corporate governance. The responses will help the Commission to formulate a Recommendation in September 2004.

• 08 Mar 2004
  Ireland: Unions fail to penetrate multinational sector

  A survey of foreign-based multinational companies investing in Ireland over 2001-3, published in early 2004, has found that just 13% of them are unionised.

• 04 Mar 2004
  Netherlands: Health and safety effect of worker participation examined

  A study published in late 2003 finds that the presence and effective operation of works councils has positive effects on working conditions in Dutch organisations. This article highlights the main findings of the research into the occupational health and safety impact of worker participation.

• 03 Mar 2004
  Spain: Debate over state pension increases

  In January 2004, the Spanish government announced the annual increases in state pensions, in order to adjust them to inflation. The 2004 increases, along with the 2001 tripartite agreement on which they are based, have been the subject of considerable debate, and have been criticised by the UGT trade union confederation, which did not sign the 2001 pact..

• 03 Mar 2004
  Spain: New Employment Law adopted

  The Spanish parliament adopted a new Employment Law in December 2003, which regulates the functioning of public employment services in the context of decentralisation to the regions and the European employment strategy. The new legislation has received the general approval of the social partners, and the trade unions feel that it reflects many of their proposals. However, it introduces no major changes to the national employment services system.

• 03 Mar 2004
  Spain: CES examines situation of women

  In December 2003, the tripartite Economic and Social Council (CES) issued a report on the situation of women in the social and labour reality of Spain. It finds that there has been a sharp rise in the female labour market participation rate but that women's situation is still unfavourable in comparison with men with regard to unemployment, temporary employment and occupational segregation.

• 03 Mar 2004
  Sweden: Pay freeze agreed at SAS after industrial action

  In February 2004, a belated pay agreement for 2003 was reached for members of the Swedish Transport Workers' Union working in civil aviation. For workers at the troubled SAS airline, a pay freeze was agreed retrospectively for 2003. The settlement was preceded by industrial action targeted at SAS at Arlanda airport, with stoppages by baggage-handlers causing about 165 SAS flights to be cancelled.

• 03 Mar 2004
  Romania: Dispute hits mining industry

  In February 2004, bargaining over a new collective agreement for the Romanian mining industry resulted in trade unions organising a two-hour warning strike. As well as demanding a pay increase much higher than offered by the government, the unions also raised concerns about the perceived lack of a sectoral strategy, large numbers of impending redundancies, and the inconsistency of social assistance programmes. The government eventually gave a favourable response to the majority of the union claims and a settlement was reached. However, a government decision to split up the National Lignite Company then sparked an indefinite strike in the industry.

• 03 Mar 2004
  Spain: Company relocations cause concern

  Early 2004 has seen the announcement by several multinationals, such as Samsung and Philips Novalux, that they will move all or part of their production from Spain to other countries, in general ones with lower labour costs. Other companies are threatening such relocation if they do not obtain concessions from their Spanish workforces. This continues a trend which has been seen over the past few years and which is causing alarm among trade unions.

• 03 Mar 2004
  Cyprus: INEK/PEO issues Economic and Employment Outlook

  In February 2004, the Institute of Labour of the Cypriot Federation of Labour (INEK/PEO) released its first annual Economic and Employment Outlook. The Outlook observes that although the economy of Cyprus is still expanding, its current model of growth is gradually reaching its limits. The way forward proposed by INEK/PEO rejects low labour costs and labour market flexibility, instead emphasising the skills and knowledge of the workforce.

• 03 Mar 2004
  Sweden: Report examines gender pay gap

  The annual report of the Swedish National Mediation Office, issued in February 2004, includes a special examination of the statistical evidence on pay differentials between women and men. The official wage statistics indicate that on average women's pay is around 82% of men's. However, weighting the statistics for factors such as occupation, age, working time, education and sector brings women's average pay to 92% of men's.

• 02 Mar 2004
  Denmark: New collective agreements concluded in industry

  In February 2004, new three-year collective agreements were concluded for the Danish industry sector. The deal provides mainly for improvements in areas such as occupational pensions, paid parental leave and sick pay, plus minimum wage increases, with pay bargaining largely left to company level. The parties have also agreed to a greater degree of decentralisation in bargaining and further individualisationof working time arrangements. The agreements include a clause allowing negotiations to be reopened if there is new legislation on issues such as paid parental leave which increases employers' costs.

• 02 Mar 2004
  Norway: Controversial pension reform proposed

  In January 2004, a public committee announced its recommendations for a reform of the Norwegian pension system. The main objectives of the proposal are to establish a closer relationship between the income earned and pension received, and to encourage older employees to stay longer in employment rather than retiring early. Parts of the proposal have met with strong criticism from trade unions.

• 02 Mar 2004
  Italy: Conflicts over restructuring in steel sector

  In February 2004, crises erupted at the ThyssenKrupp plant at Terni and the Ilva plant at Cornigliano (part of the Riva group) which may have significant repercussions for the entire Italian steel sector. ThyssenKrupp, the German-based steel multinational, announced its intention to close some of its operations located in Terni and make 500 employees redundant. The Riva group, the largest Italian steel producer, decided to close down its blast furnace at Cornigliano because of cut-backs in supplies of coke from China and placed 600 of the plant’s 2,700 workers on the wages guarantee fund (if the coke supply problem persists, Riva's Taranto steel works will be affected as well). In both cases there have large-scale protests which, in the case of Terni, involved the entire community.

• 02 Mar 2004
  Netherlands: Minimum wage trends examined

  The Dutch government has announced that the statutory minimum wage will not be increased in 2004, following agreement with the social partners on a general pay freeze. This article examines the government decision, as well as looking at related issues such as the effects on social security benefits, minimum wage rates for young people, compliance and the relationship between the statutory minimum wage and the minimum wages specified in collective agreements.

• 02 Mar 2004
  Finland: Higher pension contributions for older workers to be abolished

  In February 2004, a tripartite working group including social partner representatives agreed that age-related pension contributions in large firms under Finland's private sector TEL scheme should be abolished by 2007. This reform will reduce employers’ pension contributions for older workers and its basic aim is to remove barriers to the employment of these workers.

• 02 Mar 2004
  Italy: Increasing focus on workplace 'mobbing'

  A conference held in January 2004 highlighted the problem of workplace bullyingor mobbingin Italy. Research has found that some 1.5 million workers suffer mobbing at work, and the issue is being regarded with increasing concern. There have been a number of proposals for legislation on the issue, plus a number of collective agreements, while trade unions are increasingly active in seeking to prevent such psychological harassment at work.

• 02 Mar 2004
  Austria: Government presents draft tax reform

  In January 2004, the Austrian government presented a draft tax reform to come into effect in 2005. It aims to reduce the tax on corporate profits and to relieve employees’ income tax burden. Employers’ organisations support the proposed significant reduction in corporate profits tax, although many employers would have preferred reductions in non-wage labour costs instead. Trade unions state that the planned tax reform will bring too few benefits for employees and none at all for those who already pay no income tax due to extremely low pay.

• 01 Mar 2004
  Denmark: LO union and Christian employers negotiate collective agreement

  In January 2004, it was announced that the Trade Union of Public Employees (FOA), an affiliate of Danish Confederation of Trade Unions (LO), is negotiating with the Association of Christian Employers (KA) over a collective agreement covering the latter's members providing private care services for elderly people. This is an unprecedented move for an LO member union. One of the conditions for an agreement stipulated by KA is that both sides should renounce the right to take industrial action. This has brought heavy criticism of FOA from other LO unions, which regard the right to take industrial action as one of the cornerstones of the Danish collective bargaining model.

• 01 Mar 2004
  Bulgaria: Major accident at iron and steel plant

  In January 2004, a major industrial accident occurred at Kremikovtzi, Bulgaria's largest iron and steel plant, with three workers killed and 22 more hospitalised. An investigation subsequently highlighted major health and safety problems at the site. The tragedy focused attention on the widespread failure by companies to implement health and safety legislation, with trade unions calling for new measures to ensure the law's effective application.

• 01 Mar 2004
  Belgium: New system of monitoring unemployed people introduced

  In January 2004, the Belgian government decided to replace the old system of monitoring unemployed people with a new one featuring an individual approach to supervision. The trade unions gave the proposal a fairly cool reception, and have been able to obtain certain alterations from the Minister of Employment and Labour.

• 01 Mar 2004
  Estonia: Labour dispute resolution process examined

  Since the early 1990s. Estonia has created a system for the resolution of individual and collective labour disputes, involving labour dispute commissions, local conciliators, a public conciliator and the courts. This article examines the institutional and legislative framework for dispute resolution and looks at the use actually made of these procedures.

• 01 Mar 2004
  Greece: Dispute over sale of General Bank

  In January 2004, the sale of a majority shareholding in Greece's General Bank to Société Générale of France resulted in intense disagreement, both between the employees' trade union and the management of the bank, and between the political opposition and the government.

• 01 Mar 2004
  France: Council issues report on future of sickness insurance

  In January 2004, a High Council set up by the Prime Minister submitted a report on the future of France's jointly-managed sickness insurance scheme . The report focuses, beyond issues relating to balancing the scheme's budget, on the need to reorganise the healthcare system. Trade unions reacted cautiously to the substance of the report. Commentators believe that the consensus expressed in the report may break down when the exact shape of the government's forthcoming sickness insurance reforms become known.

• 01 Mar 2004
  France: Debate on introduction of 'assignment contracts'

  A report on employment law reform, commissioned by the French government, was issued in January 2004. The most controversial proposal in the Virville reportis the creation of a new assignment contract, enabling employees to be recruited for the duration of a particular project. Such a contract has been demanded by employers, particularly those in the information technology services sector, but is strongly opposed by trade unions.