• About EIRO
• Annual reports
• Comparative information
• EU level developments
• Representativeness studies
• Survey Reports
• Browse by:
  • Country
  • Date
  • Sector
  • Subject
• Industrial relations links

January 2005

• 31 Jan 2005
  Japan: Industrial relations in Japan 2003-4

  This record reviews 2003-4's main developments in industrial relations in Japan, and focuses on the topical issues of migration and pensions reform.

• 31 Jan 2005
  USA: Industrial relations in the USA 2003-4

  This record reviews 2003-4's main developments in industrial relations in the USA, and focuses on the topical issues of migration and pensions reform.

• 31 Jan 2005
  EU Level: Commission issues 2004 industrial relations report

  In January 2005, the European Commission issued its latest industrial relations report. The report examines issues such as the quality of industrial relations, developments in the social dialogue, the main legislative developments, corporate governance and the situation in the new EU Member States.

• 31 Jan 2005
  EU Level: ETUC issues report on collective bargaining

  The European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC) issued in January 2005 its latest annual report on collective bargaining developments, based on data from its member confederations. The report analyses trends in the light of ETUC’s 2000 guideline on the coordination of collective bargaining in Europe.

• 31 Jan 2005
  EU Level: Commission Green Paper on managing economic migration to EU

  The European Commission issued a Green Paper launching a public consultation on how to manage economic migration at EU level in January 2005. The Commission believes that some coordination is needed and stakeholders are asked to submit their comments on the idea and content of such an EU-wide initiative by April 2005.

• 31 Jan 2005
  Ireland: ECJ case may have major impact on sick leave schemes

  In December 2004, a European Court of Justice (ECJ) Advocate-General issued an opinion on a pregnancy-related discrimination case referred by Ireland's Labour Court. The opinion states that treating pregnancy-related illness and other illness in the same way contravenes the EU equal treatment Directive. If the ECJ makes its ruling in line with this opinion, many employers across Europe could be forced to change their sick leave schemes to avoid discriminating against pregnant women.

• 28 Jan 2005
  United Kingdom: Agreement on implementation of pay reforms in National Health Service

  In November 2004, representatives of the UK government, National Health Service employers and trade unions reached an agreement to reform the pay and conditions of employment of more than 1 million health service staff.

• 28 Jan 2005
  United Kingdom: Staff absence a concern for both unions and employers

  In January 2005, the UK's Trades Union Congress published a report examining staff absence due to ill-health, claiming that much of this is due to rising workplace stress. The report comes at a time of growing employer concern at the extent and cost of sick leave, with some employers introducing new policies designed to provide incentives for attendance and make absenteeismmore difficult.

• 28 Jan 2005
  United Kingdom: Changes to incapacity benefit under discussion

  In October 2004, the UK government announced that it intended to reduce the cost of incapacity benefit. It believes that as many as two-thirds of the current claimants could return to work, but there is disagreement between government, trade unions and employers about how this should be achieved.

• 26 Jan 2005
  EU Countries: Gender mainstreaming in industrial relations

  This comparative study analyses the state of gender mainstreaming in industrial relations in 17 EU Member States and Norway. It examines collective bargaining and its results, as well as the gender mainstreaming policy and infrastructure of trade unions and employers’ organisations. Government policy and legislation is dealt with as far as is necessary to provide insight into the national context in which the social partners operate. The study finds that gender mainstreaming is primarily a matter for government regulation and policies, and that not many connections are made between the governmental regulatory/institutional framework and collective bargaining. However, gender mainstreaming is on the agenda of the central trade union organisations in all countries concerned. Employers’ confederations tend to have a less developed mainstreaming approach, to stress different aspects, notably diversity policies, and to prefer tailor-made solutions over general rules. Nevertheless, gender is being mainstreamed into collective bargaining in many countries, most often at the national multi-sector level. These agreements are usually frameworks of aims, to be elaborated at sector or company level, or take the form of recommendations to lower bargaining levels.

• 24 Jan 2005
  Hungary: Twin referenda fail

  Referenda on granting citizenship to ethnic Hungarians living outside Hungary and on whether healthcare institutions should be privatised were held in December 2004. Both were rendered void by low turn-out. The social partners took a variety of views on the issues.

• 24 Jan 2005
  Hungary: Central wage deals reached for 2005

  In November 2004, the Hungarian central social partners agreed to recommend a 6% wage increase in the competitive sector in 2005, and in December a similar deal was reached for public employees.

• 19 Jan 2005
  Italy: Work-related accidents decreased in 2004

  In December 2004, Italy's National Workplace Accident Insurance Institute issued preliminary figures indicating an overall reduction of 1.6% in work-related accidents over the year.

• 19 Jan 2005
  Lithuania: No agreement reached on minimum wage increase

  In December 2004, the Tripartite Council of the Republic of Lithuania debated an increase in the national minimum wage, but the social partners and government were unable to reach agreement on the rise.

• 19 Jan 2005
  Italy: Vodafone deal seeks to reconcile work and private life

  In December 2004, management and trade unions at Vodafone Omnitel in Italt signed two agreements with a focus on improving work-life balance for the company's 10,000 employees. Their provisions include measures to help working mothers, a new organisation of working time, increased pay premia for Sunday and night work, and the rules for performance-related pay over 2004-8.

• 19 Jan 2005
  Sweden: Sabbatical leave experiment extended nationwide

  A sabbatical leave scheme tried out in a number of areas of Sweden since 2002 has been extended nationwide from January 2005. Essentially, 12,000 employees may take up to one year's leave (during which they receive benefit), with unemployed people recruited to fill their jobs temporarily. There are some concerns about the scheme in trade union circles.

• 19 Jan 2005
  Slovenia: ZSSS proposes national agreement on stress-related risk assessment

  In late 2004, the Union of Free Trade Unions of Slovenia (ZSSS) proposed the conclusion of a national collective agreement on stress-related risk assessment, in order to implement the framework agreement on work-related stress signed by the EU-level cross-industry social partners in October.

• 19 Jan 2005
  Poland: Warning strike held on Polish National Railways

  A warning strike was organised by trade unions at Polish National Railways (PKP) on 21 December 2004 in protest against reorganisation and privatisation plans. Tripartite talks have so far failed to resolve the dispute.

• 19 Jan 2005
  Poland: Unions oppose LOT Polish Airlines savings plan

  In November 2004, trade unions at LOT Polish Airlines initiated a collective dispute with the airline's board of directors, triggered by a cost-cutting plan that will involve job losses. The unions have also called for the company's directors to be dismissed.

• 19 Jan 2005
  Poland: Budryk mine conflict re-erupts

  In December 2004, a conflict re-emerged at Poland's Budryk coal-mining company when trade unions alleged that management had not honoured commitments made in an agreement that had resolved a pay dispute in August. However, the renewed dispute ended when the parties reached a compromise.

• 19 Jan 2005
  Romania: New national collective agreement signed

  After more than a year of unsuccessful bargaining, in December 2004, the Romanian social partners finally signed a new national collective agreement (covering 2005-6), having reached a deal on the key issue of the national minimum wage . The accord establishes a minimum wage rate higher than that set by a previous government decision.

• 19 Jan 2005
  Italy: Company agreement signed at Marazzi Ceramiche

  In December 2004 , trade unions and management at the Italian tile group Marazzi Ceramiche, which has around 1,000 employees, signed a new company agreement. The main innovations include measures to improve training and skills, increased allowances, measures to help working mothers and changes to working hours.

• 19 Jan 2005
  France: Government proposes working time and pay reforms

  In December 2004, the French Prime Minister, Jean-Pierre Raffarin, unveiled his government's policies for the coming period. These include measures to increase employment, amend some working time rules, harmonise minimum wage rates, and reform employee savings and share-ownership.

• 17 Jan 2005
  EU Countries: Les relations industrielles dans le secteur du commerce de détail

  Le commerce de détail est un secteur très important, qui emploie environ 9% de la force de travail de l’UE. Environ 60% des travailleurs de ce secteur sont des femmes, et on observe également une forte proportion de jeunes et de travailleurs faiblement qualifiés. Les salaires sont relativement faibles et les niveaux de travail à temps partiel et le week-end relativement élevés. L’industrie connaît actuellement d’importantes mutations structurelles, avec des processus de concentration et de diversification, ainsi que des pressions en termes de restructuration, de déréglementation et de baisse de l’emploi. La présente étude examine la structure du secteur du commerce de détail, le volume et la structure de l’emploi ainsi que les conditions d’emploi de ses travailleurs, avant de se pencher sur l’organisation des partenaires sociaux, la négociation collective et les questions clés actuelles des relations industrielles.

• 17 Jan 2005
  Bulgaria: Access to disability pensions limited

  From January 2005, new rules in Bulgaria have made it more difficult for people to claim disability pensions, against a background of rapidly rising numbers of recipients.

• 17 Jan 2005
  United Kingdom: Government announces policy on age discrimination and retirement

  In December 2004, ministers outlined how they propose to deal with the issue of employers’ mandatory retirement ages in the context of forthcoming UK legislation outlawing age discrimination. The government has decided to set a default retirement age of 65, but give employees the right to request to work beyond that age, which employers must consider seriously.

• 17 Jan 2005
  United Kingdom: Government consults on draft Regulations on working time in road transport

  In November 2004, the UK's Department for Transport published a consultative draft of Regulations aimed at implementing the 2002 EU Directive on the working time of road transport workers.

• 17 Jan 2005
  Germany: Government hails training pact as success

  In December 2004, the German government announced that it regards as positive the results of a training pact it signed in June with representatives of employers and business. It said that the initiative had encouraged firms to offer more training places.

• 17 Jan 2005
  Estonia: Two major minimum wage agreements signed

  Late December2004 saw the conclusion of two major minimum wage agreements in Estonia. The first determines the national minimum wage rate for 2005 and the other sets the minimum wage for employees with higher education working in the public sector, represented by the TALO trade union confederation. In both cases the negotiations lasted almost whole year, with the public conciliator involved and union confederations threatening strikes.

• 17 Jan 2005
  Austria: Government proposes household service chequeto combat undeclared work

  In December 2004, the Austrian government proposed tackling undeclared work in the household services sector by introducing a household service cheque, which also aims to improve the social protection of the (mostly female) workers concerned. Under the plans, people using household services (eg cleaning or childcare) may opt to pay for them with a chequethat includes social insurance contributions, instead of in cash. The proposal has received a mixed response.

• 17 Jan 2005
  Czech Republic: Forestry and wood workers' union issues strike warning

  In December 2004, the Czech Republic's Trade Union of Workers in the Woodworking Industry, Forestry and Water Management (OS DLV) issued a strike warning. The union is dissatisfied with the state of collective bargaining in the forestry and the woodworking industry, and concerned about employment in these sectors.

• 17 Jan 2005
  Malta: No agreement on proposed social pact

  During 2004, the Maltese social partners and government discussed a possible social pact, aimed at enhancing national competitiveness, and in November the chair of the tripartite Malta Council for Economic and Social Development proposed a draft of such an accord. However, by the end of the year, no consensus had been reached on a pact.

• 17 Jan 2005
  Malta: Negotiations start over public service collective agreement

  In December 2004, the first meetings regarding the renewal of the collective agreement for Malta's public service employees indicated that there are major divergences in the perspectives of the government and trade unions.

• 17 Jan 2005
  Norway: Action plan seeks to combat bullying at work

  In December 2004, the Norwegian government and social partners presented an action plan to combat bullying at work. The initiative has been taken in line with a 2001 tripartite agreement on an inclusive working lifeand will run for a period of three years.

• 17 Jan 2005
  EU Level: Luxembourg Presidency sets out employment and social priorities

  The Council of the European Union will be presided over by the Luxembourg government during the first six months of 2005. It has issued its priorities for its term, including the mid-term review of the Lisbon strategy and the progression of a range of proposals, including the draft Directive on the revision of the working time Directive.

• 17 Jan 2005
  EU Level: EU social partners in hotels and restaurants sign joint CSR statement

  In December 2004, the EU-level social partners in the hotels and restaurants sector signed a joint document on corporate social responsibility (CSR), covering areas such as equality, working conditions, pay, training, health and safety and restructuring.

• 17 Jan 2005
  EU Level: Formal social dialogue begins in chemicals industry

  In December 2004, the European Commission formally announced the establishment of an EU-level social dialogue committee in the chemicals industry.

• 17 Jan 2005
  EU Level: Commissioner calls for end to discrimination against people with disabilities

  In December 2004, speaking at a conference in Brussels, the new European Commissioner for Employment, Social Affairs and Equal Opportunities, Vladimir Spidla, called for a change in attitudes and a new approach in order to end discrimination against people with disabilities.

• 17 Jan 2005
  EU Level: Commission takes five Member States to ECJ for failing to implement anti-discrimination Directive

  The European Commission announced in December 2004 that it is to refer five EU Member States to the European Court of Justice (ECJ) for failing to transpose the 2000 framework equality Directive.

• 17 Jan 2005
  Ireland: Maximum award made in sexual harassment case

  In November 2004, Ireland's Equality Tribunal ruled in favour of a woman who had complained of sexual harassment and victimisation, and awarded her the maximum amount allowed under the relevant legislation. The Equality Authority has welcomed what it sees as a significant ruling.

• 17 Jan 2005
  Denmark: DA employers' confederation restructures

  The Confederation of Danish Employers (DA) is to lose one-third of its total budget and close its regional network, transferring its regional activities to member organisations. These are among the consequences of a new strategy for the period up until 2010 adopted by the DA executive committee in December 2004.

• 17 Jan 2005
  EU Countries: Évolutions relatives aux comités d'entreprise européens

  Cette étude examine les principales évolutions relatives aux comités d'entreprise européens (CEE) au cours de la période 2002-2004. Elle observe l’incidence des accords de CEE et leur renégociation, l’influence des CEE sur le traitement des restructurations transnationales, les affaires judiciaires impliquant des CEE, l’impact de l’élargissement de l’UE sur les CEE et le débat sur la meilleure façon d’améliorer l’efficacité des CEE, y compris la révision éventuelle de la directive sur les CEE.

• 16 Jan 2005
  Slovenia: Controversy over supplementary health insurance

  Vzajemna, Slovenia's largest voluntary supplementary health insurance company, was planning to increase premiums for people over the age of 60 from August 2004. The move was strongly opposed by the ZSSS trade union confederation, among others, and was eventually suspended by the company. The context is that a planned scheme to equalise the differing costs of companies offering supplementary health insurance has yet to be introduced by the government.

• 16 Jan 2005
  Slovenia: Social partners call for adoption of profit-sharing law

  In late 2004, both trade unions and employers' organisations called on Slovenia's new government to adopt specific legislation on profit-sharing by employees. A draft law on the issue has been on the table for a number of years. Trade unions want profit-sharing schemes to be compulsory, but employers prefer a voluntary approach.

• 16 Jan 2005
  Bulgaria: New social partner organisations recognised as representative

  During 2004, the Bulgarian government awarded nationally representative status to two new employers' organisations (bringing the total to six) and one new trade union centre (bringing the total to three). The recognition of the additional trade union organisation has proved controversial among the two established confederations, CITUB and CL Podkrepa.

• 16 Jan 2005
  Sweden: New pay agreements signed for government employees

  In November/December 2004, new collective agreements were concluded in Sweden for 230,000 blue-collar, white-collar and professional employees in the central government sector. The deal for professional workers sets no central figure for pay rises, which will be determined entirely by local/individual bargaining. The white-collar deal also prioritises decentralised pay bargaining, but with a guaranteed minimum increase where this is unsuccessful of 7.3% over three years - the same rise guaranteed for blue-collar workers.

• 14 Jan 2005
  Netherlands: Government seeks SER recommendation on Working Conditions Act reform

  In October 2004, the Dutch government asked the tripartite Social and Economic Council (SER) to issue a recommendation on suggested changes to the 1998 Working Conditions Act, which governs health and safety at work. The government's premise is that primary responsibility for ensuring good working conditions rests within companies themselves and that more leeway must thus be given to employers and employees to develop this responsibility. It therefore proposes deregulation and the promotion of self-regulation, with special attention to the position of small and medium-sized enterprises. The social partners have differing views on the changes suggested by the government.

• 14 Jan 2005
  Poland: National Action Plan for Social Integration adopted

  In October 2004, the Polish government endorsed a National Action Plan for Social Integration, aimed at tackling social exclusion and poverty. Its basic priorities are: education; development of the social security system; activation and integration of groups threatened with social exclusion; and the development of social services. The social partners were actively involved in developing the Plan.

• 14 Jan 2005
  Lithuania: Trade unions in focus

  There are three main trade union centres in Lithuania, plus several independent trade unions. According to data reported by the unions themselves, there are around 200,000 union members in total, making up 14% of the workforce. This article examines the situation of trade unions as of late 2004.

• 14 Jan 2005
  Poland: Enterprise-level social dialogue examined

  Drawing on recent research, this article examines the state of dialogue between owners/management and trade unions at the level of individual enterprises in Poland, as of 2004. Industrial relations, the situation of the actors and especially the opportunities for partnership are very differentiated between enterprises, with the main determining factors being the size of the company and whether it is state-owned (or has been) or in the private sector

• 14 Jan 2005
  Sweden: Study examines long-term effects of youth unemployment

  In late 2004, with youth unemployment rising fast in Sweden (with a rate of 12.2%, compared with 5.6% for the whole labour force), a study from the Institute for Labour Market Policy Evaluation (IFAU) has found that unemployment among young people early in their working lives often has long-term effects.

• 13 Jan 2005
  France: Assistance for the elderly and disabled people under debate

  The issue of assistance for elderly people and people with disabilities has been topical in France in 2004. With a personalised independence allowancescheme introduced in 2002 seen as inadequate, the government pushed through parliament a vote to create a National Independent-living Support Fund in June 2004. Neither the Fund's role nor the financing arrangements were specified at the time of the vote and concerns were raised among the social partners about losing control over some some funds they currently administer. Clarification on some of the ways the Fund is to function was provided in the autumn, but the decisions taken are far from being definitive.

• 13 Jan 2005
  Spain: New rules on labour immigration

  In October 2004, the Spanish government issued a new regulation on immigration, which came into force at the beginning of 2005, with the aim of directing immigration towards legal channels. It establishes an extraordinaryprocess of legalisation of registered immigrant workers with work contracts, who will obtain residence permits for a limited period, after which the conditions of entry will be toughened. The reform, which has obtained wide support, is based on consultations with the social partners and other interested parties.

• 13 Jan 2005
  Spain: Social partners debate bargaining framework for 2005

  In late 2004, the Spanish social partners were considering a renewed intersectoral agreement providing guidelines for lower-level collective bargaining in 2005, similar to those concluded in the three previous years. Both sides have stated their criteria for bargaining in 2005 - though employers and trade unions agree that competitiveness and productivity should be improved, their on views how to achieve this differ.

• 13 Jan 2005
  Italy: Debate on bargaining reform delays dialogue

  In late 2004, the resumption of talks on competitiveness and development between Italy's Confindustria employers' confederation and the three main trade union confederations - Cgil, Cisl and Uil - was postponed while the unions attempted to resolve their differences. By December, the unions had yet to reach a joint position on some of the issues under discussion, in particular reform of the bargaining system, which Cisl regards as essential and Cgil as unnecessary.

• 13 Jan 2005
  Italy: Female labour market in Lombardy examined

  Research published in October 2004 examines women's participation in the labour market in the Lombardy region of northern Italy. The region has a higher female labour market participation rate and lower female unemployment rate than the Italian average. However, among other findings, the study indicates that labour market segregation persists in Lombardy, that female workers earn an average of 20% to 25% less than their male colleagues, and that women still face difficulties in reconciling work and family responsibilities.

• 12 Jan 2005
  Romania: Ministry of Labour reviews activity over 2001-4

  In October 2004, the Romanian Ministry of Labour, Social Solidarity and Family published its activity report for 2001-4. The report presents the main advances in social security, employment and social partnership over the four-year period in question.

• 12 Jan 2005
  Italy: Unions seek single platform of demands for metalworking pay round

  In late 2004, in the run-up to negotiations over the renewal of the pay part of the national collective agreement for the Italian metalworking industry, the three main sectoral trade union federations - Fiom-Cgil, Fim-Cisl and Uilm-Uil - sought to draw up a single platform of demands to present to the employers. The debate among the unions centred on two issues: the amount of the wage claim; and the ways in which workers will approve the platform of demands and any draft agreement reached. As the end of the year approached, no comprehensive joint solution had been found.

• 12 Jan 2005
  Czech Republic: Factors constraining social dialogue and social partners’ influence examined

  In 2004, social dialogue and collective bargaining in the Czech Republic have been operating in their modern form for around a decade. This article highlights the findings of a recent project examining barriers to social dialogue that restrict the capacity for action of social partner organisations and constrain the capacity for social dialogue. It finds that, besides systemic barriers, chiefly of a legal nature, there are also certain unfavourable aspects in public attitudes towards social dialogue and the trade unions, as shown by the findings of surveys of union membership. The project makes a number of recommendations for improving the situation.

• 12 Jan 2005
  Belgium: 'End of career' under debate

  In October 2004, the Belgian Prime Minister invited the social partners to participate in a conference on the end of career, highlighting the increasing attention that is being paid to early retirement and related issues. The issue is also an important one in negotiations over a new national intersectoral agreement for 2005-6, and the social partners have divergent views. This article reviews the current evidence and debate on the end of career.

• 12 Jan 2005
  Hungary: Temporary agency work examined

  Temporary agency work, which currently involves under 1% of the labour force, was first regulated in Hungarian labour law in 2001. This article examines, as of late 2004, the legal framework for agency work, its extent and nature, current practice in companies, and the views of the social partners.

• 11 Jan 2005
  Bulgaria: Trade unions organise national protest actions

  In October-November 2004, Bulgaria's two main trade union confederations, CITUB and CL Podkrepa , organised protest actions and strikes throughout the country, culminating in a national protest rally on 10 November and a national one-hour warning strike on 18 November. The unions claim that there is lack of national bargaining on some urgent social problems, and are concerned about the 2005 state budget, which is seen as including inadequate social provisions, and about the effects on workers' rights of a memorandum signed by the government and International Monetary Fund.

• 11 Jan 2005
  Belgium: Strikes hit Brussels Inter-Municipal Transport Company

  During the last months of 2004, a number of one-day strikes were held at the Brussels Inter-Municipal Transport Company (STIB/MIVB) in a dispute over staffing levels and journey times. A collective agreement to resolve the dispute was signed by two of the three trade unions at the company in November, but the socialist-oriented union, CGSP/ACOD, called on its members to continue the industrial action.

• 11 Jan 2005
  Denmark: Complicated negotiations start in public sector

  Collective bargaining over new agreements started in the Danish public sector in December 2004. One of the key issues in the talks will be the sector's decentralised New wagepay system, to which municipal health workers' trade unions are opposed. However, some other unions are more open to some form of decentralised wage setting. The bargaining is overshadowed by the forthcoming general election and a radical reform of municipal structures.

• 10 Jan 2005
  France: New initiatives on fighting discrimination in the workplace

  In late 2004, 35 French companies signed a diversity charter. committing them to fighting labour market discrimination based on ethnic origin. At the same time, a report submitted to the government by a leading employers' representative has advocated proactive policies for recruiting among groups of visible minoritypeople. Meanwhile, the Court of Auditors has been profoundly critical of the past 30 years of French immigration policy.

• 10 Jan 2005
  France: Discontent over amendments to disability bill

  A French government bill on equal opportunities and rights for people with disabilities was amended by the Senate in late October 2004. Some of these amendments have been very controversial among disability associations and trade unions. Meanwhile the government has taken a number of other measures to promote the employment of people with disabilities, such as: a drive to increase the number of disabled people in public employment; attempts to reduce unemployment among disabled people, and the conclusion of local disabled employment agreements.

• 06 Jan 2005
  Belgium: CSC/ACV calls for changes to social security funding

  In late 2004, during the run-up to talks over a new national interesectoral agreement for 2005-6, Belgium's CSC/ACV trade union confederation relaunched a plan for the modernisation and rescue of the country's social security system. The proposals include new ways of financing the system, with a universal contribution levied on all types of income, and not just pay.

• 06 Jan 2005
  Norway: Committee rejects right to increased hours for part-timers

  A committee appointed by the Norwegian government to examine ways of reducing underemployment- ie the number of part-time workers who want longer hours - presented its report in December 2004. It does not recommend a statutory right to increased working hours for part-time workers, but wants to see a strengthening of the labour market administration's role in helping underemployed people increase their working time. Trade unions are disappointed with the committee's recommendations.

• 06 Jan 2005
  Estonia: Controversy over civil servants' right to strike

  According to Estonian legislation, civil servants do not have the right to strike, with conciliation providing the only method of conflict resolution. Trade unions have proposed changes to the law, arguing that, while there should be limits, all workers working in public services should not be prohibited from striking. Controversy over the issue mounted during 2004.

• 06 Jan 2005
  Norway: Developments in women's representation on company boards

  Since January 2004, publicly-owned companies in Norway must ensure that 40% of the members of their boards are women, while public limited companies must achieve this 40% quota voluntarily by the end of 2005 if they are to avoid having a legal obligation imposed on them. A study published in December 2004 found that female board representation in Norway is higher than in the other Nordic countries, but that there is still a long way to go before the target of 40% is reached.

• 06 Jan 2005
  Greece: Wave of early retirement schemes

  In an effort to reduce operating and payroll costs, a number of Greek enterprises, mostly in the area of banking and public utilities, turned to early retirement and other voluntary exitschemes in late 2004. The reaction of trade unions varied from case to case, with plans to cut the workforce at the Hellenic Telecommunications Organisation (OTE) proving particularly controversial.