April 2004
- 30 Apr 2004
EU Countries: Overview of the implementation of the framework equal treatment Directive<#PDF_LINK>This report examines the situation in the EU Member States, plus Norway, with regard to the implementation of the 2000 EU Directive establishing a general framework for equal treatment in employment and occupation. The Directive introduces protection from discrimination in employment on the grounds of religion or belief, disability, age and sexual orientation. National implementation was required by December 2003, though optional extensions were available for disability and age. This report is based on a survey of EIRO national centres monitoring and assessing developments up to August 2003.
- 29 Apr 2004
EU Countries: Pay developments - 2003<#PDF_LINK>This review of trends in pay in 2002 and 2003 finds that average collectively agreed nominal wage increases across the EU and Norway fell from 3.5% in 2002 to 3.1% in 2003 - though with major variations between countries. This suggests a deepening trend towards wage moderation in many countries. Taking into account inflation, the rate of real increase rose a little from 2002 to 2003, as a result of falling inflation. In 10 acceding and candidate countries examined, the average agreed nominal pay increase was far higher, rising from 8.1% in 2002 to 9.4% in 2003, and real pay also increased more rapidly than in the current EU. This review also looks at productivity, collectively agreed pay increases in selected sectors, increases in average earnings and minimum wages, and the gender pay gap.
- 29 Apr 2004
EU Countries: Working time - developments in EU and national regulation<#PDF_LINK>In 2003-4, the re-examination of EU Directive 93/104/EC has reinforced the customary position of the regulation of working time near the top of the industrial relations agenda at European Union level and in many individual countries. This article looks at: the European Commission's re-examination exercise; a number of aspects of the regulation of working time in law and agreement in the Member States (including the acceding and candidate countries in many cases) and Norway; and legislative and collective bargaining developments in this area in 2003.
- 29 Apr 2004
Italy: Yomo takeover by Granarolo saves jobs<#PDF_LINK>In March 2004, Yomo, an Italian yoghurt manufacturer, was saved from bankruptcy by an agreement for it to be taken over by the Granarolo dairy products group. An important role in the takeover negotiations was played by both trade unions and the provincial administration of Milan. The takeover deal, though important issues are still to be decided, appears to have saved the jobs of Yomo's 800 employees.
- 29 Apr 2004
France: Intersectoral agreement signed on gender equality<#PDF_LINK>A national intersectoral agreement on gender equality and gender balance in workforce composition was signed in April 2004 by France's main employers' organisations and trade union confederations. It covers matters such as narrowing the gender pay gap, preventing maternity leave from adversely affecting women's careers and addressing labour market segregation. The accord aims to provide a framework for lower-level bargaining and lays down no concrete targets or sanctions . A number of recent company and sector-level agreements have dealt with similar issues.
- 29 Apr 2004
Greece: GSEE holds conference as general strike looms<#PDF_LINK>The Greek General Confederation of Labour (GSEE) held its 32nd conference in March 2004. Proceedings were coloured by an ongoing dispute between GSEE and employers' organisations over a new National General Collective Agreement, with the trade unions calling a general strike on 31 March. The conference also heard activity reports, elected new administrative bodies and explored future prospects for the trade union movement.
- 27 Apr 2004
EU Countries: Working time developments - 2003<#PDF_LINK>This review of developments in the length of working time in 2002 and 2003 finds that average collectively agreed weekly working time in the current European Union (plus Norway) remained relatively stable at around 38 hours. Across the EU and Norway, agreed normal annual working time averages around 1,700 hours. Of three sectors examined, agreed weekly hours are highest in metalworking, followed by local government and banking. Average collectively agreed paid annual leave entitlement rose slightly to 26.5 days in 2003. In the EU acceding and candidate countries, average collectively agreed working time is considerably higher, at nearly 40 hours a week and over 1,800 hours a year.
- 27 Apr 2004
Cyprus: Health and safety at work examined<#PDF_LINK>Since 2003, legislation on health and safety at work in Cyprus has been harmonised with EU norms, while the social partners have shown signs of a new willingness to contribute to its effective implementation. This article gives an overview of the most recent developments in this areas, along with an assessment of the situation, both on the institutional level and in practice, in mid-2004.
- 27 Apr 2004
Malta: The development and current situation of trade unions<#PDF_LINK>Trade union membership in Malta has grown considerably in the past 20 years and density stands at over 62%. Of around 86,000 union members, nearly three-quarters are men. The largest unions are the General Workers’ Union (GWU) and the Union of United Workers (UHM), with the latter being a member of the country's only union confederation, the Confederation of Malta Trade Unions (CMTU). This article outlines the development of unions and examines the situation in 2004, looking at the main unions and their activity, membership and density, as well as industrial action.
- 27 Apr 2004
Bulgaria: Research examines industrial relations in subsidiaries of multinational companies<#PDF_LINK>A study of industrial relations and personnel management practices in 29 subsidiaries of 18 multinational companies operating in Bulgaria is due to be published in mid-2004. It draws a contradictory picture: while highlighting examples of good practice, the research finds that the management of some of the subsidiaries is trying to marginalise trade unions and belittle the role of social dialogue.
- 27 Apr 2004
Estonia: Study examines EU migration potential of Estonian workers<#PDF_LINK>With Estonia joining the EU in May 2004, a survey conducted in late 2003 and 2004 examines the perceptions of Estonian people about working in the current EU Member States and assesses their potential to migrate to these countries. It finds that the proportion of people who want to leave Estonia is not very great, and that those interested in working in the current EU generally want to do so for only a short period. Most potential migrants are young, and better wages in the present EU are seen as a major incentive.
- 27 Apr 2004
Sweden: Could Danish law become a threat to Swedish industrial conflict rules?<#PDF_LINK>In February 2004, the European Court of Justice (ECJ) issued its judgment in a case referred to it by the Danish Labour Court, which related to industrial action notified to a Danish shipowner by a Swedish trade union in Sweden in 2001. After examining the question of jurisdiction, ECJ ruled that the case should be handled in Denmark. This may lead to serious consequences for Swedish industrial conflict rules, according to Swedish Confederation of Trade Unions.
- 27 Apr 2004
EU Level: Spring Council and tripartite social summit held<#PDF_LINK>The European Council's annual spring meeting on economic and social matters was held in March 2004. A wide-ranging discussion on the employment and social situation in the EU was held, in the context of progress towards achieving the goals of the Lisbon strategy. The Council was preceded by a tripartite social summit, at which the EU-level social partners set out their views and presented reports detailing their actions in the areas of employment and competence development over the previous year.
- 27 Apr 2004
EU Level: ECJ issues rulings on social security benefit and annual leave<#PDF_LINK>The European Court of Justice (ECJ) issued two important rulings in March 2004, which have implications for social and employment policy. The first deals with the question of whether annual leave entitlement can be taken upon return from maternity leave, even if the period for taking annual leave, set by collective agreement, falls within the period of maternity leave. The second relates to the rules surrounding the entitlement of a national of one Member State to claim unemployment benefit in another Member State.
- 27 Apr 2004
Denmark: Controversy over rules for workers from new EU Member States<#PDF_LINK>In December 2003, the Danish parliament approved measures aimed at preventing illegal work and possible misuse of the Danish welfare system when workers from central and eastern Europe seek jobs in Denmark following EU enlargement on 1 May 2004. However, trade unions in the building and construction industry claimed in April 2004 that loopholes in the new provisions will enable them to be evaded, and for workers from the new Member States to be employed on wages below collectively agreed rates.
- 21 Apr 2004
Germany: New evidence on gender wage gap and low pay<#PDF_LINK>In March 2004, the Federal Statistical Office reported that in 2003 the average monthly income of women in Germany was 30% below that of men - the same gap as found in 2002. Also in March, the Institute of Economic and Social Research (WSI) issued a study which revealed that low pay is particularly widespread in private sector services with high proportions of female employees.
- 21 Apr 2004
Finland: Working time 'banks' proposed to increase flexibility<#PDF_LINK>In February 2004, Finnish employers’ organisations and white-collar trade union confederations issued proposals for the establishment of working time banks, with aim of increasing flexibility. SAK, the blue-collar trade union confederation, has rejected the plans, arguing that the needs of employers are prioritised over the needs of workers. The role of trade unions in the determination of working time has been reduced markedly over the past decade as decision-making has increasingly moved to the workplace level.
- 21 Apr 2004
United Kingdom: Managing absence from work - an update<#PDF_LINK>Studies published in 2003 and early 2004 examine the extent of absence from work in the UK and managerial policies of monitoring and control. They suggest that absence levels remain steady and are rarely seen as a problem, but also that new factors such as stress may be changing absence patterns and that the dominant managerial policy of neglect may need to change.
- 21 Apr 2004
United Kingdom: EU Directive drives reform of junior doctors’ working hours<#PDF_LINK>The application from August 2004 of statutory working time limits (in line with the EU working time Directive) to doctors in training in the UK , in conjunction with two recent rulings by the European Court of Justice, has considerable implications for the working patterns of doctors, nurses and other health professionals - and potentially for patients.
- 21 Apr 2004
Romania: Two major mergers of employers’ organisations<#PDF_LINK>In March 2004, eight of Romania's 12 nationally representativeemployers’ organisations merged into two separate new top-level structures. The Alliance of Employers’ Confederations of Romania (ACPR) brings together two of these organisations, while the other six have created the Union of Romanian Employers (UPR).
- 21 Apr 2004
Belgium: Government approves action plan to reduce work-related accidents<#PDF_LINK>In March 2004, the Belgian federal government approved PhARAon, a new broad-based action plan for combating work-related accidents. Against a backdrop of a constant rise in the number of serious accidents at work, the plan’s principal aim is to make all actors involved in the field shoulder their responsibilities. The social partners have given the plan a warm welcome, although some believe that several important areas should be further improved.
- 21 Apr 2004
Cyprus: Agreement regulates settlement of labour disputes in essential services<#PDF_LINK>In March 2004, a tripartite agreement on the procedure for resolving labour disputes in essential services was signed in Cyprus, following nearly a decade of discussions. The accord introduces an arbitration procedure in such disputes but does not rule out industrial action.
- 21 Apr 2004
Austria: Calls for reform of childcare benefit scheme<#PDF_LINK>In 2001, the Austrian government introduced a general childcare benefit scheme, providing for uniform payments for up to 36 months for all parents with childcare obligations, regardless of their employment situation. A study commissioned from the WIFO research institute by the Chamber of Labour (AK) and published in March 2004 finds that this scheme tends to consolidate gender-related inequality in labour market access, by encouraging mothers of small children to stay at home longer. AK and the trade unions are thus demanding a reform of the scheme and other measures to improve women’s employability, though the government questions the WIFO study’s findings.
- 21 Apr 2004
Ireland: Employers call for public service strike ban<#PDF_LINK>Codes of practice on disputes in essential public services were introduced in Ireland in late 2003. In April 2004, the main employers' organisation, IBEC, called for these non-binding codes to be given legal effect for a three-year trial period, which would prohibit strikes in such services.
- 20 Apr 2004
Spain: Continuity in employment policy likely under new government<#PDF_LINK>The general election held in Spain in March 2004 resulted in defeat for the governing People’s Party (PP) and victory for the Socialist Party (PSOE), which is to form the new government, led by José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero. The PSOE's programme indicates that in term of economic and labour policy it will continue with the current basic model.
- 20 Apr 2004
Cyprus: Two-year agreement signed for construction industry<#PDF_LINK>In April 2004, a new collective agreement was signed in the Cyprus construction industry. Key provisions include a pay increase of around 4.6% over two years, changes to guaranteed weekly pay and a commitment by the parties to improve implementation of the agreement. The conclusion of the construction deal is likely to pave the way for agreements in other sectors.
- 08 Apr 2004
Spain: Survey finds general satisfaction with content of collective agreements<#PDF_LINK>The Spanish Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs published the results of its 2003 Survey of Quality of Life at Work (ECVT) in early 2004. This article highlights the results on workers' satisfaction with their collective agreements, pay and work, and the information they receive on workplace risks. Among the findings is that workers generally make a positive evaluation of the content of collective agreements.
- 08 Apr 2004
Slovenia: Strikes over 1998-2002 examined<#PDF_LINK>There are no reliable official data on strikes in Slovenia, and the main source of information is the Association of Free Trade Unions of Slovenia (ZSSS) which produces figures on strikes organised in individual companies by its sectoral member unions. This article examines the ZSSS data for 1998-2002, which indicate that strike activity has been decreasing
- 08 Apr 2004
Latvia: Number of workplace accidents increasing<#PDF_LINK>In March 2004, Latvia's State Labour Inspectorate (VDI) expressed concern about the fact that, despite various measures taken and positive trends in 2003, the number of workplace accidents has risen in early 2004. To compensate for increased expenditure on benefits for workplace accidents and work-related illnesses, the Ministry of Welfare has proposed an increase in the mandatory social insurance contribution for this contingency from the current 0.09% of monthly pay to 0.1%.
- 08 Apr 2004
Finland: Improved annual leave rights proposed for 'atypical' workers<#PDF_LINK>In March 2004, a tripartite committee issued proposals for reform of Finland's Annual Holidays Act. It suggests improvements in the annual leave rights of part-time workers and those on fixed-term contracts, as well as increased flexibility in the timing of leave.
- 08 Apr 2004
Spain: Renault Industrial Vehicles plant to close<#PDF_LINK>It was announced in March 2004 that the Volvo-owned Renault Industrial Vehicles plant in Villaverde (Spain) is to close, with the loss of 443 jobs, and its lorry production is to be moved to a French plant. The UGT trade union has criticised the fact that the company wants to sell the Villaverde site for non-industrial use
- 08 Apr 2004
Netherlands: Social partners critical of government disability benefit plans<#PDF_LINK>Plans to reform the Occupational Disability Insurance Act (WAO), announced by the Dutch government in March 2004, have been criticised by the social partners, as the proposals differ on a number of points from recommendations made by the tripartite Social and Economic Council.
- 08 Apr 2004
Greece: OTOE issues demands for new banking agreement<#PDF_LINK>In January 2004, the Greek Federation of Bank Employee Unions (OTOE) issued its demands for a new collective agreement in the banking sector. These include a 10% wage rise in 2004 (aimed at bringing Greek pay nearer to the EU average) and the introduction of a 35-hour working week.
- 08 Apr 2004
Slovenia: Trade unions continue pressure for new sectoral pay agreements<#PDF_LINK>Following a warning strike in February 2004, in March and April Slovene trade unions continued to place pressure on employers' organisations to open serious negotiations over the revision of the pay terms of sectoral collective agreements. However, employers and the government first want to see a new overall pay policy agreement to cap the increases in subsequent sectoral agreements, and thus curb inflation and labour costs.
- 08 Apr 2004
Italy: Ministerial circular clarifies new rules on semi-subordinate work<#PDF_LINK>A law reforming the Italian labour market enacted in 2003 introduced important changes relating to semi-subordinatework (midway between dependent employment and self-employment). The law provided for the conversion of employer-coordinated freelance contracts, a common form of semi-subordinate work, into project contracts. The aim was to restrict the indiscriminate use of semi-subordinate labour, but the new law has caused great uncertainty, and in January 2004 the Ministry of Labour issued a circular which defined how the new rules are to be applied.
- 07 Apr 2004
Sweden: Parliamentary committee to examine labour migration<#PDF_LINK>In February 2004, the Swedish government appointed a parliamentary committee to review the current regulations on labour migration, with the aim of increasing the number of workers coming to Sweden from countries both inside and outside the EU/EEA. The background is concern about labour shortages.
- 07 Apr 2004
Germany: Business and employers' associations adopt joint declaration on government's reforms<#PDF_LINK>In March 2004, Germany's four central business and employers’ associations (BDA, BDI, DIHK and ZDH) issued a joint declaration on the government's recent labour market and social policy reforms. They endorsed these changes, in principle, but called for further amendments.
- 07 Apr 2004
France: MEDEF makes proposals for modernisation of Labour Code<#PDF_LINK>In March 2004, France's MEDEF employers' confederation published 44 proposals for modernising the Labour Code, covering matters such as employment contracts, wages, working time and employee representative bodies. These proposals have been fiercely criticised by the trade unions.
- 07 Apr 2004
France: State found responsible for failure to prevent asbestos-related hazards<#PDF_LINK>In March 2004, France's State Council ruled that the state is liable for the contamination of workers by asbestos, and defined the state’s obligations in the area of occupational hazard prevention.
- 07 Apr 2004
France: Air-traffic controllers strike over reorganisation plan<#PDF_LINK>French air-traffic controllers took strike action in February 2004 in protest at a plan to reorganise Paris area air-traffic control, and at a lack of consultation over the initiative. The action was ended by an agreement to review the situation.
- 07 Apr 2004
Bulgaria: Project launched on corporate social responsibility in apparel industry<#PDF_LINK>Early 2004 saw the launch of a project - involving the government, employers and trade unions - aimed at promoting corporate social responsibility (CSR) in the Bulgarian apparel industry. The project, funded by the European Commission, will explore how CSR - and in particular improved employment conditions and industrial relations - can boost the Bulgarian industry's competitiveness on the global market.
- 07 Apr 2004
Ireland: Public service unions propose merger<#PDF_LINK>March 2004 saw the launch of a proposed merger between three of Ireland’s public service trade unions, which is expected to bring about the formation of a powerful new 72,000-member super-unionby 2006.
- 07 Apr 2004
Belgium: Government increases social benefits<#PDF_LINK>In March 2004, the Belgian government announced increases in a number of social security benefits, including the guaranteed income for the elderly, pensions and invalidity allowances related to accidents at work and occupational illness, and parental leave allowances. Trade unions and the employers’ organisations gave a fairly favourable welcome to the new measures.
- 07 Apr 2004
Denmark: SAS staff accept wage cuts<#PDF_LINK>By late March 2004, agreements providing for wage cuts and in many cases longer hours had been reached for all groups of employees at the Danish operations of the SAS airline. The negotiations were held under the threat of redundancies as the troubled company seeks to cut costs.
- 07 Apr 2004
Italy: Confindustria appoints new president<#PDF_LINK>In March 2004, Italy's main employers' confederation, Confindustria, appointed a new president, Luca Cordero di Montezemolo. The appointment of Mr Montezemolo, who succeeds Antonio D'Amato, may mark a turning point in the organisation's strategy.
- 07 Apr 2004
Italy: Cgil, Cisl and Uil take united action<#PDF_LINK>In March 2004, the three main Italian trade union confederations, Cgil, Cisl and Uil, held a joint assembly for the first time in 10 years. The meeting approved a document which criticises the government and makes proposals on economic, incomes and social policy. The confederations called a four-hour general strike on 26 March to support their proposals and protest at the government's current pensions reform.
- 07 Apr 2004
Norway: Agreement reached in manufacturing industry<#PDF_LINK>At the beginning of April, the first sectoral agreement in Norway's 2004 collective bargaining round was concluded in manufacturing industry. The social partners agreed on moderate wage increases and, with the help of the government, on a solution to the controversial issue of occupational pensions.
- 07 Apr 2004
Hungary: Controversy persists over public employee councils<#PDF_LINK>Long-postponed elections to public employee councils- works council-type bodies in the Hungarian public service sector - are due to be held in autumn 2004. As the elections approach, trade unions are calling for the abolition of these councils, which they see as unnecessarily duplicating the role of workplace-level union organisations.
- 06 Apr 2004
Germany: ECJ rules on German EWCs case<#PDF_LINK>In January 2004, the European Court of Justice (ECJ) ruled in favour of a German works council in a case over the procedure for establishing a European Works Council (EWC). The ECJ found that the German works council had a right to be supplied with the necessary information to open negotiations, as prescribed in the EU Directive on EWCs, even if the parent company of the undertakings concerned was not located in a Member State. In such a case, the responsibility to provide this information falls on the management of the group establishment or company employing the largest number of employees in any single Member State.
- 06 Apr 2004
Austria: Unemployment insurance coverage to be extended to self-employed<#PDF_LINK>In March 2004, the Austrian government proposed legislation extending unemployment insurance coverage to self-employed people on a voluntary basis, starting from January 2005. In principle, employers' organisations and trade unions support this plan, albeit for different reasons. Whereas business representatives believe that the move will minimise the risks of entrepreneurship, organised labour wants to bring economically dependent self-employed workersunder the terms of standardlabour law and social security.
- 06 Apr 2004
Malta: UHM proposes social pact<#PDF_LINK>In March 2004, the Union of United Workers (UHM), Malta's second-largest trade union, proposed a social pact. The aim is to bring the social partners together around a common set of policies and actions seen as necessary to promote sustainable economic and social growth. All social partner organisations and political parties have been invited by UHM to discuss the document.
- 05 Apr 2004
EU Countries: Employers' organisations in Europe<#PDF_LINK>This comparative study examines employers' organisations in the current European Union, two new Member States (Hungary and Slovenia) and Norway. Concentrating on the top-level cross-sectoral organisations (national employer peak associations) in each country and their affiliates, the study looks at the current situation and recent developments in terms of structures, membership, tasks and responsibilities. It finds that employers' organisations play a crucial role in a variety of fields through collective bargaining, political lobbying and involvement in numerous statutory bodies. Their structure varies considerably - for example, some countries have only a single peak organisation, but others have seven or more - and is often complex. There is no sign of a general trend towards a weakening of employers' willingness to join organisations, and in most countries membership levels appear to be fairly stable. However, many organisations are rationalising tasks and/or membership domains in the face of growing pressure to economise on resources.
- 05 Apr 2004
EU Level: Construction social partners promote employment of young people and older workers<#PDF_LINK>In March 2004, the European-level social partners in the construction sector published a joint brochure aimed at encouraging the employment of young people and older workers.
- 05 Apr 2004
EU Level: Unions stage 'European action days'<#PDF_LINK>A range of actions, including mass demonstrations, meetings and information campaigns were staged at the beginning of April 2004 by trade unions around Europe. The European action dayswere intended to support calls for a strong social Europe.
- 05 Apr 2004
EU Level: Making better use of older workers<#PDF_LINK>In March 2004, the European Commission issued a policy document looking at ways in which the EU and its Member States can improve the labour force participation rate of older workers. The aim is the help the EU to meet its target of a 50% participation rate for older workers by 2010.
- 05 Apr 2004
EU Level: Commission consults on reducing exposure to cancer-causing substances<#PDF_LINK>In March 2004, the European Commission asked EU-level social partner representatives for their views on how to tackle gaps in existing legislation aimed at minimising exposure to substances that cause cancer and have other harmful effects.
- 05 Apr 2004
United Kingdom: Commission refers UK working time rules to ECJ<#PDF_LINK>In February 2004, the European Commission decided to launch a legal case against the UK at the European Court of Justice (ECJ), concerning alleged deficiencies in the UK’s transposition of the EU working time Directive.
- 01 Apr 2004
Slovenia: Controversy over closure of Tobačna cigarette factory<#PDF_LINK>In late January 2004, it was announced that the Tobačna cigarette-manufacturing plant in Slovenia would be closed, with the loss of 260 jobs, as part of European restructuring exercise by its owner, the UK-based Imperial Tobacco. The announcement led to a major controversy over whether Slovenian legislation requiring employee information and consultation over closures and redundancies had been complied with.
- 01 Apr 2004
Latvia: Restrictions on free movement in enlarged EU under debate<#PDF_LINK>In early 2004, most current EU Member States announced transitional restrictions on free movement of labour from the countries joining the Union in May 2004. This has caused little stir in Latvia, where future labour migration to the present Member States is not predicted to be substantial, and a main concern is retaining the current labour force - and especially skilled workers - in the face of a shrinking population.
- 01 Apr 2004
Latvia: The development and current situation of trade unions<#PDF_LINK>After Latvia's independence at the beginning of the 1990s, trade unions experienced a sharp fall in influence and membership. However, unions are gradually regaining their importance and they now act as meaningful social partners, though they still represent only 20% of the total workforce. There is one national centre, the Free Trade Union Confederation of Latvia (LBAS). This article outlines the development of unions and examines the situation in 2004, looking at their organisation, structure, activity and membership, as well as the legislative framework.