August 2004
- 31 Aug 2004
Norway: Social partners split on proposed employment law reform<#PDF_LINK>By summer 2004, most social partner organisations and public regulatory bodies had submitted their responses to proposals for changes to Norway's framework of employment law, issued in February by a public committee. There are significant divisions between employers' organisations and trade unions in important areas, in particular on the issues of working time and fixed-term employment.
- 31 Aug 2004
Netherlands: Employers and government propose industrial relations reform<#PDF_LINK>In July 2004, the Dutch government and the VNO-NCW employers' confederation published separate documents calling for a variety of changes to current employment law and industrial relations practices, aimed at improved economic growth and competitiveness. The proposals cover areas such as pay trends, minimum wages, the extension of collective agreements, employee invovlement, working time and social security. While the government and employers have similar views on numerous points, their emphasis differs in some areas. Reactions from the trade union movement to the proposals have been very critical.
- 31 Aug 2004
Poland: Social partners divided over government plans to maintain influence over privatised companies<#PDF_LINK>In July 2004, the Polish Ministry of the State Treasury proposed the creation of a 'golden share' mechanism, giving the state considerable influence over the activities of some privatised companies. Following criticism, the Ministry withdrew this plan and instead called for the government to have a power of veto over certain decisions taken by privatised firms. The Ministry's plans are strongly opposed by employers' organisations, notably the Polish Confederation of Private Employers (PKPP), but supported by trade unions, especially the All-Poland Alliance of Trade Unions (OPZZ), which see this as a way of preventing redundancies in former state-owned companies.
- 31 Aug 2004
Latvia: Education workers' pay remains controversial<#PDF_LINK>In summer 2004, the pay of workers in the education system remains a high-profile issue in Latvia. While there have recently been some improvements in the wages of teachers in the general education system, attention has now shifted to areas such as higher education teachers and nurses in educational establishments. Another issue is that increases in minimum wages are narrowing pay differentials between skilled and unskilled staff in the sector.
- 30 Aug 2004
EU Countries: Occupational pensions and industrial relations<#PDF_LINK>Pensions have become one of the key issues on the industrial relations agenda across Europe. Many national governments have recently reformed their public pensions systems, often in consultation with the social partners, though in some cases in the face of major trade union opposition. Governments have also been promoting occupational pension provision, which has become an increasingly important issue in collective bargaining. This EIRO comparative study examines the industrial relations aspects of recent pensions developments in 18 countries, focusing mainly on occupational pensions, an area where the social partners often play a significant or even dominant role.
- 26 Aug 2004
Denmark: Footballers go on strike<#PDF_LINK>Danish professional football players launched their first ever strike on 17 August 2004. This followed the breakdown of negotiations over the renewal of the collective agreement between the players' union, SPF, and the clubs' association, DF, despite the efforts of the Public Conciliation Service. The central point in the dispute is the interpretation of a FIFA rule which gives clubs the right to demand compensation for training and developing young players if these players are transferred to foreign clubs after the expiry of their contracts.
- 26 Aug 2004
Spain: New agenda agreed for social dialogue<#PDF_LINK>In July 2004, Spain's new Socialist government and the main social partner organisations signed a declaration laying down the agenda for future social dialogue among them. The focus is on competitiveness, stable employment and social cohesion, and specific issues for discussion include labour market policy, training, the minimum wage, employee involvement and collective bargaining reform.
- 26 Aug 2004
Finland: 'Solidaristic' pay policy under debate<#PDF_LINK>The traditional solidaristicprinciples behind Finnish pay policy, and the current mechanisms to apply this policy, have been severely criticised by employers during 2004. Trade unions have responded by arguing strongly for the current system, notably in a report published by the Central Organisation of Finnish Trade Unions (SAK) in July. This article presents and evaluates the largely opposing positions on the subject taken by SAK and the Confederation of Finnish Industry and Employers (TT).
- 26 Aug 2004
France: Report examines collective bargaining in 2003<#PDF_LINK>The Ministry of Labour's report on collective bargaining in France in 2003, published in June 2004, finds that the rising volume of intersectoral bargaining observed in the previous year continued. However, the amount of sector-level bargaining, and particularly company-level bargaining, fell.
- 26 Aug 2004
France: Pressure mounts on 35-hour week<#PDF_LINK>During summer 2004, criticism of the statutory 35-hour working week has been mounting in France's governing coalition and in employers’ circles, raising fears among trade unions.
- 26 Aug 2004
France: Home-Help Employers’ Federation established<#PDF_LINK>A Home-Help Employers’ Federation (USB-Domicile) was established in France in June 2004, bringing together six employers’ organisations, including the two largest. The home-help sector has around 220,000 workers. It is currently covered by four separate collective agreements, and one of the aims of the new federation is to promote a single industry-wide agreement.
- 25 Aug 2004
Germany: Interim report on 2004 collective bargaining round<#PDF_LINK>In July 2004, the Institute of Economic and Social Research (WSI) presented its interim report on Germany's 2004 collective bargaining round. The study evaluates collective agreements concluded in the first half of 2004, affecting about 27% of all employees covered by collective agreements. Calculated on an annual basis, the average increase in wages and salaries will be around 2.0% in 2004, which is below the average pay increase in 2003 (2.5%).
- 25 Aug 2004
Bulgaria: Survey finds one in seven people below poverty line<#PDF_LINK>July 2004 saw the publication of the findings of a World Bank survey of poverty in Bulgaria, which will contribute to future anti-poverty policy. Using a poverty threshold of BGN 102 (EUR 52) a month, the study finds that one in seven of the population are poor. Trade unions have criticised the poverty line used in the report as being too low, while employers see it as realistic.
- 25 Aug 2004
Germany: Vocational training reduces youth unemployment, IW study finds<#PDF_LINK>In July 2004, the Cologne Institute for Business Research (IW) published a study which finds that Germany’s dual systemof vocational training has proved to be an effective tool in reducing youth unemployment. According to the research, in comparison with OECD averages, Germany's dual training system reduces youth unemployment and leads to an above-average number of people achieving a higher vocational qualification. However, companies are widely in favour of improvements to the system.
- 25 Aug 2004
Germany: Board-level employee representation under debate<#PDF_LINK>Germany's system of employee representation on company supervisory boards is under debate during 2004. In April, the BDA employers' confederation set up a commission on co-determinationwith a remit to come up with proposals for change. Part of the context is the implementation of the EU Directive on employee involvement accompanying the European Company Statute, and in June the cabinet approved a bill on German transposition of the Directive. Also in June, BDA organised a conference at which experts discussed the question of whether or not the German system of board-level employee representation is a disadvantage for firms operating there, given current debates on corporate governance and the continuing development of EU-wide company law.
- 25 Aug 2004
Belgium: Legislation proposed to tackle 'bogus' self-employment<#PDF_LINK>During 2004, the Belgian government has been drawing up new legislation aimed at tackling bogusself-employment, whereby workers are registered as self-employed - either from their own choice or at the request of an employer - but in practice have a subordinate employment status. The plan is to lay down general criteria for identifying the nature of a work relationship, with scope for specific criteria for individual sectors and occupations.
- 25 Aug 2004
Estonia: Industrial relations in road transport examined<#PDF_LINK>Though social dialogue and collective bargaining at sector level in Estonia are relatively poorly developed, the road transport industry is an exception. Trade unions and employers’ organisations meet regularly and conclude sector-wide collective agreements. Bargaining at enterprise level is also relatively well developed in road transport. This article provides an overview of industrial relations in this sector in summer 2004, with bargaining over a new sectoral agreement due to start soon.
- 24 Aug 2004
Austria: Unofficial strike by flight crew hits Austrian<#PDF_LINK>In August 2004, negotiations between the management of Austrian Airlines (AUA) and its works council over a new, uniform collective agreement for two AUA companies - Austrian and Lauda - appeared to reach a deadlock, and flight staff at Austrian took limited strike action on 13 August. However, this action was not authorised by the Austrian Trade Union Federation (ÖGB).
- 24 Aug 2004
Ireland: Labour Relations Commission to launch new mediation and arbitration services<#PDF_LINK>In response to major changes in the industrial relations landscape over recent decades and more diverse expectations from its clients, Ireland’s public dispute-resolution body, the Labour Relations Commission, announced in July 2004 that it plans to launch two new dispute governance services from 2005. These are a mediation service and a voluntary arbitration service.
- 23 Aug 2004
EU Level: New Commission unveiled<#PDF_LINK>In August 2004, the incoming President of the European Commission, José Manuel Durão Barroso, announced the details of his new Commission. The new social affairs and employment policy Commissioner will be Vladimir Spidla, whose portfolio will specifically include equal opportunities. In terms of the new Commission’s goals, Mr Barroso has stressed that implementation of the Lisbon economic and social strategy was a key aim. The new Commission will take office on 1 November after having gained the approval of the European Parliament.
- 23 Aug 2004
United Kingdom: New statutory workplace dispute resolution procedures outlined<#PDF_LINK>The statutory disciplinary and grievance procedures set out in the UK's Employment Act 2002 will be brought into force in October 2004. This feature highlights the main aims of the new legislation, and employer and trade union reaction.
- 23 Aug 2004
Sweden: European Court of Human Rights rules on drug testing<#PDF_LINK>In March 2004, the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) gave its decision in case brought by a Swedish office cleaner employed at a nuclear power plant, who claimed that she should not have to be subjected to drug testing at work. The ECHR ruled the applicant's case to be inadmissible, thus upholding the employer's right to conduct drug tests, as the Swedish Labour Court had done earlier in the same case.
- 16 Aug 2004
Finland: Thematic feature - industrial relations and undeclared work<#PDF_LINK>This article gives a brief overview of the industrial relations aspects of undeclared work in Finland, as of June 2004. It looks at: the nature and extent of undeclared work; the regulatory framework; the role, activities and views of the social partners; and partnerships between social partners and public authorities to tackle undeclared work.
- 16 Aug 2004
Cyprus: Thematic feature - industrial relations and undeclared work<#PDF_LINK>This article gives a brief overview of the industrial relations aspects of undeclared work in Cyprus, as of June 2004. It looks at: the nature and extent of undeclared work; the regulatory framework; the role, activities and views of the social partners; and partnerships between social partners and public authorities to tackle undeclared work.
- 16 Aug 2004
Ireland: Thematic feature - industrial relations and undeclared work<#PDF_LINK>This article gives a brief overview of the industrial relations aspects of undeclared work in Ireland, as of June 2004. It looks at: the nature and extent of undeclared work; the regulatory framework; the role, activities and views of the social partners; and partnerships between social partners and public authorities to tackle undeclared work.
- 16 Aug 2004
Norway: Thematic feature - industrial relations and undeclared work<#PDF_LINK>This article gives a brief overview of the industrial relations aspects of undeclared work in Norway, as of June 2004. It looks at: the nature and extent of undeclared work; the regulatory framework; the role, activities and views of the social partners; and partnerships between social partners and public authorities to tackle undeclared work.
- 16 Aug 2004
Belgium: Thematic feature - industrial relations and undeclared work<#PDF_LINK>This article gives a brief overview of the industrial relations aspects of undeclared work in Belgium, as of June 2004. It looks at: the nature and extent of undeclared work; the regulatory framework; the role, activities and views of the social partners; and partnerships between social partners and public authorities to tackle undeclared work.
- 13 Aug 2004
Germany: Thematic feature - industrial relations and undeclared work<#PDF_LINK>This article gives a brief overview of the industrial relations aspects of undeclared work in Germany, as of June 2004. It looks at: the nature and extent of undeclared work; the regulatory framework; the role, activities and views of the social partners; and partnerships between social partners and public authorities to tackle undeclared work.
- 13 Aug 2004
United Kingdom: Thematic feature - industrial relations and undeclared work<#PDF_LINK>This article gives a brief overview of the industrial relations aspects of undeclared work in the UK, as of June 2004. It looks at: the nature and extent of undeclared work; the regulatory framework; the role, activities and views of the social partners; and partnerships between social partners and public authorities to tackle undeclared work.
- 13 Aug 2004
Austria: Thematic feature - industrial relations and undeclared work<#PDF_LINK>This article gives a brief overview of the industrial relations aspects of undeclared work in Austria, as of June 2004. It looks at: the nature and extent of undeclared work; the regulatory framework; the role, activities and views of the social partners; and partnerships between social partners and public authorities to tackle undeclared work.
- 13 Aug 2004
Denmark: New campaign launched against undeclared work<#PDF_LINK>In July 2004, the Danish government launched a new campaign against undeclared work and tax fraud, the second such initiative in the space of a year. It introduces new measures to combat undeclared work, building on the experience of the first campaign, and has been broadly welcomed by the social partners. The Danish Federation of Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises is proposing additional measures, including criminalisation of the users of undeclared work and a lower VAT rate on services.
- 13 Aug 2004
Italy: Government and social partners discuss 2005 budget plans<#PDF_LINK>In July 2004, the Italian government revived the practice of consulting the social partners on its national budget report, a document that sets out the budgetary objectives for the coming year and guidelines for achieving them. The social partners welcomed the resumption of dialogue. Trade unions see the government's forecast inflation rate (which should act as a reference for sectoral pay bargaining) as unrealistic and are concerned that there might be cuts in social expenditure.
- 12 Aug 2004
Poland: Conflicts re-emerge in mining<#PDF_LINK>In summer 2004, strikes appear to be looming in large parts of the Polish coal-mining industry, with disputes at various companies centred on pay increases and the contents of new collective agreements. Miners are basing demands for higher wages on the sound financial results being posted by the mines in 2004, although how long the current favourable trend in the world's coal markets will last remains an open issue. The need to draw up new collective agreements, meanwhile, arises from the current restructuring process in the sector.
- 12 Aug 2004
Netherlands: Minister calls for simplified Working Conditions Act<#PDF_LINK>In June 2004, Mark Rutte, the state secretary at the Dutch Ministry of Social Affairs and Employment, called for the number of health and safety regulations in the Working Conditions Act to be halved. Recent research has indicated that a large proportion of employers fail to comply with the Act's rules in areas such as assessing and addressing workplace risks.
- 12 Aug 2004
Netherlands: Unions threaten legal action against 40-hour week at Smead<#PDF_LINK>Smead Europe, the Dutch subsidiary of a US-owned office supplies group, is due to introduce a 40-hour week at two plants in August 2004 in order to tackle rising costs. Employees at the sites currently work 36 or 38 hours a week and will receive no pay increases for the extension of their working time. A survey of the plants' workforce found majority support for the move. However, trade unions have threatened to take legal action against Smead Europe if it goes ahead with the change, claiming that it breaches sectoral collective agreements.
- 12 Aug 2004
Poland: Unions protest against creation of Polish Pharmaceuticals Holding<#PDF_LINK>In July 2004, trade unions representing employees at the Polfa Warszawa pharmaceuticals producer called on the Polish government to scrap plans to merge the various state-owned entities in the sector into a Polish Pharmaceuticals Holding. Polfa Warszawa is the industry's most successful firm and its employees are concerned about the effects of its incorporation into a new holding structure.
- 12 Aug 2004
Poland: Social partners' tax exemption retained<#PDF_LINK>In July 2004, the Polish government dropped plans to subject the income of trade unions and employers' organisations to corporate income tax. The social partners welcomed the retention of their tax exemption.
- 12 Aug 2004
Poland: Trade union and Wałbrzych city council in dispute<#PDF_LINK>In June 2004, a local trade union organisation representing staff at Wałbrzych city council (in Poland's Lower Silesia region) asked the Regional Social Dialogue Commission to adjudicate in a dispute with the city authorities. The dispute centres on which employees should receive the special protection provided by law for union activists, and claims of detrimental treatment of such activists.
- 12 Aug 2004
Italy: Agreement on part-time work signed in Bergamo<#PDF_LINK>In July 2004, an agreement implementing provisions on part-time work laid down in the 2003 Biagilabour market reform law was signed in the Italian province of Bergamo. The deal was signed by the Bergamo employers' organisation and the provincial representatives of the Cgil, Cisl and Uil trade union confederations. The agreement is very unusual, as such matters have until now been dealt with only in national sectoral collective bargaining.
- 12 Aug 2004
Italy: Agreement on corporate social responsibility signed in banking<#PDF_LINK>In June 2004, the social partners in the Italian banking sector concluded an agreement that lays down principles aimed at achieving the socially sustainable and compatible developmentof the industry. The accord, which deals with a range of corporate social responsibility issues, will be used as a reference point in a forthcoming new national sectoral collective agreement for banking.
- 12 Aug 2004
Italy: Dialogue between Confindustria and unions postponed<#PDF_LINK>In July 2004, Italy’s central social partner organisations - the Confindustria employers' confederation and the Cgil, Cisl and Uil trade union confederations - launched talks on a possible national agreement aimed at boosting the country’s competitiveness and economic development. Negotiations were soon interrupted because Cgil was not willing to discuss a reform of the current collective bargaining structure proposed by the employers. Cgil, Cisl and Uil have set up a joint committee to examine bargaining reform and will resume talks with Confindustria once this committee has completed its deliberations.
- 12 Aug 2004
Latvia: Doubts raised over future minimum wage increases<#PDF_LINK>In 2003, the Latvian government adopted a schedule for increasing the national minimum age over the period up to 2010, bringing it to 50% of the average gross monthly wage. So far, the government has observed the schedule, but in July 2004 it indicated that it may not be possible to implement the planned increase for 2005.
- 12 Aug 2004
Latvia: New unemployment risks emerge<#PDF_LINK>In May 2004, the registered unemployment rate in Latvia stood at 8.7%, having risen slightly since 2002 despite rapid economic development. This relatively high rate has been attributed by experts to the emergence in recent years of several new factors that increase the risks of unemployment. These include a larger supply of better-qualified labour, the restructuring of large enterprises and the reform of education funding.
- 11 Aug 2004
Austria: Postbus employees protest against privatisation plans<#PDF_LINK>In late June 2004, most of the workforce of Postbus AG, a bus operator completely owned by Austrian Federal Railways (ÖBB), stopped work for some hours in order to attend works meetings. The action was directed against government plans to oblige the state-owned ÖBB to dispose of part of its bus services, which will mainly hit Postbus employees.
- 11 Aug 2004
Germany: Cost-cutting deal signed at DaimlerChrysler<#PDF_LINK>In late July 2004, the German-US car-maker, DaimlerChrysler announced an agreement that will safeguard 6,000 jobs at its plant in Baden-Wurttemberg and guarantee jobs in Germany until 2012 in exchange for concessions on working practices and planned pay increases, including a gradual increase in working time to 39 hours a week for services staff. The company had stated that, without such a deal, it would shift production of the new Mercedes C-class to sites in Bremen and South Africa. DaimlerChrysler managers will contribute to the savings by giving up part of their pay.
- 11 Aug 2004
Ireland: Domestic workers protected under new Equality Act<#PDF_LINK>Ireland's new Equality Act, which was enacted in July 2004, seeks to transpose recent EU equality Directives and will introduce a number of significant new employment rights. One effect will be to give increased protection to domestic workers, many of whom are migrants.
- 11 Aug 2004
Finland: Employers demand scrapping of premia for weekend work<#PDF_LINK>In July 2004, several Finnish employers’ organisations proposed the abolition of premium rates of pay for weekend work, which they believe increase labour costs excessively and thus harm companies and employment levels. Trade union strongly oppose any such move and question the employers' arguments.
- 11 Aug 2004
Bulgaria: Labour Code amended<#PDF_LINK>In June 2004, the Bulgarian parliament passed a number of amendments to the Labour Code, covering matters such as the content of employment contracts, redundancy procedures, women's night and overtime work, overtime pay and parental leave.
- 11 Aug 2004
Belgium: Employers demand end to early retirement and a 40-hour week<#PDF_LINK>In the context of negotiations, due to start in autumn 2004, over Belgium's next national intersectoral agreement, in July the Federation of Belgian Enteprises (FEB/VBO) employers' organisation called for the maximum normal working week to be extended from 38 hours to 40, and for the system of early retirement to be re-examined. These demands have irritated the trade unions, while the government has taken no position.
- 11 Aug 2004
Romania: New labour minister plans to amend Labour Code<#PDF_LINK>In July 2004, a new minister of labour was appointed in Romania. One of the priorities of the new minister, Dan Mircea Popescu, is to amend the Labour Code substantially in line with the demands of employers' organisations. Trade unions are very strongly opposed to such changes.
- 11 Aug 2004
Germany: Government publishes report on parental leave<#PDF_LINK>In June 2004, the German Ministry for Family, Senior Citizens, Women and Youth published a research report on parental leave. The report analyses the effects of a new law on the issue which came into force in 2001. While the share of men taking advantage of parental leave has increased, most childcare duties are still carried out by women, the report finds. Furthermore, women who combine childcare with part-time work are increasingly working longer hours.
- 11 Aug 2004
Sweden: Survey finds good employer-union cooperation in companies<#PDF_LINK>Managing directors believe that the cooperative climatewith trade unions is good or rather good in some 80% of Swedish companies, according to a survey published by the National Institute for Working Life in June 2004. However, the same survey also finds that the interest of managing directors in joint consultations with unions has diminished since 1996.
- 11 Aug 2004
Norway: Scope of YS union merger reduced<#PDF_LINK>Four trade unions affiliated to Norway's Confederation of Vocational Unions (YS) had been planning a merger since 2002, but two of them pulled out, at least for the present, in late June 2004. The two remaining unions, PRIFO and 2fo, will continue the merger process. However, the merged union, due to be established on 1 January 2005, will now have 30,000 members rather than 90,000, as originally envisaged.
- 11 Aug 2004
Malta: Social partners react to government’s convergence plan<#PDF_LINK>The Maltese government presented an economic convergence programme to the EU Council in July 2004. A subsequent meeting of the tripartite Malta Council for Economic and Social Development gave the social partners the opportunity to discuss the programme.
- 11 Aug 2004
France: Controversial deal to save jobs at Bosch plant<#PDF_LINK>In July 2004, workers at the Bosch car components plant at Vénissieux in France ratified an agreement reached between management and the local branches of the CFDT and CFE-CGC trade unions. The deal aims to safeguard investment and jobs at the plant, in return for concessions on pay and working time. It has proved controversial, especially in trade union circles, and highlighted debates about France's 35-hour week legislation.
- 11 Aug 2004
France: SMIC minimum wage increased<#PDF_LINK>On 1 July 2004, France's SMIC national minimum wage was raised by between 2.1% and 5.8%. Although highlighted by the government and media, the 5.8% increase applies to only a minority of SMIC recipients (those still working a 39-hour week), and most recipients will see a lower rise, of no more than inflation in some cases.
- 10 Aug 2004
EU Level: Informal Council discusses future of social policy<#PDF_LINK>EU employment and social affairs ministers met for an informal Council in July 2004 to examine the future direction of European social policy and prepare for the drafting of a new social policy agenda, which will run from 2006 to 2010.
- 10 Aug 2004
EU Level: Commission launches proceedings for non-implementation of anti-discrimination Directives<#PDF_LINK>The European Commission announced in July 2004 that it is taking legal action against six EU Member States for failing to transpose the framework equal treatment Directive, and against five Member States for failing to transpose the race discrimination Directive. Both of these Directives should have been implemented by Member States in 2003.
- 10 Aug 2004
EU Countries: Le tripartisme au niveau national et l’UEM dans les nouveaux États membres et les pays candidats<#PDF_LINK>La présente étude comparative examine le rôle que pourraient jouer les pactes sociauxau niveau national entre les gouvernements et les partenaires sociaux pour préparer le terrain à l’adhésion des nouveaux États membres de l’UE et des pays candidats à l’Union économique et monétaire (UEM) et à l’introduction de la monnaie unique, l’euro. Le dialogue social tripartite au niveau national étant l'une des institutions clés des relations industrielles dans ces pays, on peut supposer que certains d'entre eux vont tenter d'ajuster leur économie au moyen de pactes sociaux, comme l'ont fait de nombreux anciensÉtats membres au début des années 90. L'étude se penche sur l'actuelle évolution des institutions tripartites et les pratiques établies en matière de tripartisme concernant les questions macroéconomiques en général, et les évolutions salariales en particulier, dans huit nouveaux États membres qui ont rejoint l'UE en mai 2004 (Chypre, Estonie, Hongrie, Lettonie, Malte, Pologne, Slovaquie et Slovénie) et deux pays candidats (Bulgarie et Roumanie). Il en ressort qu’un seul pays, la Slovénie, a conclu jusqu’ici un pacte social en vue de faciliter l’instauration de mesures visant à satisfaire les critères macroéconomiques pour l’UEM. Parmi les pays capables de remplir aisément ces critères, Chypre et Malte pourraient élaborer une forme de pacte social sur l’amendement de leur système d’indexation salariale traditionnel, si les partenaires sociaux optent pour une telle solution. Dans les pays baltes, il ne semble pas nécessaire d’instaurer un pacte social spécifique en rapport avec l’UEM, étant donné que le dialogue social régulier et les relations de confiance existant entre les parties sont censés fournir le cadre requis pour les compromis. Dans d’autres cas, plus particulièrement dans les pays d’Europe centrale, un pacte social sur des mesures de réforme s’avère absolument nécessaire en raison de l’actuel déséquilibre macroéconomique, mais faute de consensus politique sur les questions stratégiques, il est peu probable que les gouvernements, les organisations patronales et les syndicats parviennent à de tels accords globaux nationaux.
- 06 Aug 2004
Slovenia: Gender equality legislation examined<#PDF_LINK>Slovenia's Law on Labour Relations, which came in force on 1 January 2003, introduced a number of new provisions on equal opportunities and equal treatment for women and men, partly in preparation for EU accession. This feature examines the main gender equality provisions of this law and looks at the evidence on its implementation, as at summer 2004.
- 06 Aug 2004
Slovakia: Trade unions address equal opportunities<#PDF_LINK>In late 2003, the Confederation of Trade Unions of the Slovak Republic (KOZ SR) launched a major project aimed at developing gender equality in trade unions. The project focuses on issues such as giving equality issues a higher priority within unions and in collective bargaining, and increasing women's representation at all levels of trade union structures. This article reviews the project's progress, as of summer 2004.
- 05 Aug 2004
EU Countries: Comparative overview of industrial relations in Europe in 2003<#PDF_LINK>This article provides a comparative overview of industrial relations in 2003 in the current European Union, Norway, and 10 acceding and candidate countries.
- 05 Aug 2004
EU Countries: EU-level developments in 2003<#PDF_LINK>This article reviews 2003's main developments in the European-level social dialogue, and outlines the year's most significant EU legislative and other activity of relevance to industrial relations.
- 05 Aug 2004
Poland: Job clubs examined<#PDF_LINK>In April 2004, new legislation in Poland amended the framework for job clubs, schemes organised by county labour offices and various organisations collaborating with them that help unemployed people improve their job-seeking skills. In 2003, job clubs attracted some 60,000 participants, but their effectiveness has not been regarded as high, due to staffing problems and the variable contents of courses. Trade unions may collaborate in organising job clubs, but reportedly take only a limited interest.
- 05 Aug 2004
Sweden: Report finds high level of unionisation among immigrants<#PDF_LINK>A high proportion of workers in Sweden who were born in another country are trade union members, and in some immigrant groups the unionisation rate is even higher than among native Swedes. For example, women born in another Nordic country who have been in Sweden more than 10 years have the highest rate of all, at 89%. Around 14% of members of the blue-collar LO trade union confederation were born in another country and 22% have a non-Swedish background. These are among the findings of a report published by LO in April 2004, which also looks at the situation of people from non-Swedish backgrounds in areas such as employment rates, employment conditions and involvement in unions.
- 05 Aug 2004
Sweden: Report examines gender segregation on labour market<#PDF_LINK>Since the beginning of the 1990s, the Swedish labour market has become less gender-segregated. Notably, women have increasingly entered male-dominated occupations that require higher education. However, much remains to be done, such as persuading men too to broaden their occupational choices, or focusing on the role that employers play in perpetuating segregation. These are among the findings of a government-appointed special commissioner, Åsa Löfström, who issued her report in April 2004.
- 05 Aug 2004
Latvia: Industrial relations aspects of public employment policy analysed<#PDF_LINK>Even before Latvia joined the EU in May 2004, it was bringing its labour market policy into line with the European employment strategy. This policy has a number of industrial relations aspects, and this article examines them with particular reference to the 2003 National Employment Plan and a joint assessment paper on employment policy priorities signed by the Latvian government and the European Commission in 2003. The main industrial relations measures are aimed at facilitating the application of a new Labour Law adopted in 2002, and promoting the development of bipartite social dialogue and regional tripartite social dialogue institutions.
- 04 Aug 2004
Romania: Controversy over civil service pay and conditions<#PDF_LINK>During 2004, Romanian civil servants - who have been allowed to join a trade union only since 2003 - have been opposing government proposals for a new law on civil service pay and seeking changes to the statute governing their employment. In late June 2004, a protocol was signed by the two sides, stating that the dispute will be solved through dialogue within a month and that, for the first time, a national agreement will be concluded on civil service pay and conditions.
- 04 Aug 2004
Poland: Trade unions in agriculture examined<#PDF_LINK>Agriculture, which employs more than 4 million people (nearly a third of all those in employment), constitutes an important segment of the Polish economy and labour market. Despite this, organisations assembling agricultural workers are not directly represented in national social dialogue institutions, though this has not prevented them from repeatedly demonstrating their power to mobilise protests. This article examines the development of agricultural and farmers' unions and the situation as of summer 2004.
- 04 Aug 2004
Poland: Impact of European Works Councils examined<#PDF_LINK>Legislation implementing the Directive on European Works Councils (EWCs) came into force in Poland when it joined the EU in May 2004. A number of Polish workforce representatives already sit on EWCs, and the Directive's extension to Poland means that their number will increase. This article examines debate around the legislation, and evidence on the extent and outcomes of existing Polish participation on EWCs.
- 04 Aug 2004
Netherlands: Changes ahead in employee involvement legislation<#PDF_LINK>In June 2004, the Dutch government announced that works councils legislation was to be made more flexible and issued proposals for reform, on which the social partners disagree. Changes are also to be made to the rules giving works councils influence over the appointment of members of company supervisory boards. Meanwhile, parliament is debating legislation to implement EU Directives on information and consultation and on employee involvement in the European Company Statute.
- 04 Aug 2004
Italy: New national agreement signed in commerce sector<#PDF_LINK>In July 2004, after eight months of negotiations, a new national collective agreement was signed for the Italian commerce sector . The main points of the deal include an average monthly wage increase of EUR 125, a one-off payment of EUR 400, the establishment of four joint bodies and new rules on various flexible forms of employment.