March 2005
- 16 Mar 2005
Malta: Union collaboration does not result in social pact<#PDF_LINK>In January 2005, Maltese trade unions collaborated to an unprecedented extent in drawing up joint proposals for the contents of a possible national social pact. This initiative did not result in the signature of such a pact, but did indicate to many of those concerned that greater cooperation among unions is possible and desirable.
- 16 Mar 2005
Belgium: 2005-6 intersectoral agreement hits problems<#PDF_LINK>In January 2005, after long and difficult negotiations, the Belgian social partners managed to reach a draft intersectoral agreement covering 2005 and 2006, which included a 4.5% norm for pay increases over the two years. However, members of the Belgian General Federation of Labour (FGTB/ABVV) - one of the three signatory trade union confederations - rejected the deal in a ballot. The federal government has decided to apply the original draft agreement in its entirety.
- 16 Mar 2005
Bulgaria: Tripartite workshop highlights workplace violence<#PDF_LINK>In February 2005, trade unions and employers in Bulgarian healthcare, along with the government, held a national workshop on workplace violence in the sector, as part of the follow-up to an international programme on the issue. Participants discussed the implementation of activities under a 2003-5 action plan and the findings of a survey, and a further action plan was adopted for 2005-7. A significant recent development has been inclusion of the issue of workplace violence in the health sector collective agreement for 2004.
- 16 Mar 2005
Greece: Redundancies increase in construction<#PDF_LINK>Since the completion of the works for the 2004 Olympic Games, the Greek construction industry has entered a period of decline. As a result, redundancies have started, and in early 2005 it has been reported that some 50,000 workers may lose their jobs. Concerns have also been raised about the consequences for employment conditions in the sector.
- 16 Mar 2005
Estonia: New action agreed to combat undeclared wages<#PDF_LINK>A round-table meeting on Estonia's widespread problem of undeclared wages was held in January 2005. The social partners, public institutions and social security bodies participating at the meeting agreed a plan of joint activities aimed at decreasing the extent of the practice. These activities are mainly concerned with increasing public awareness of the negative consequences of undeclared wages.
- 16 Mar 2005
Greece: Survey examines employment and industrial relations in journalism<#PDF_LINK>Over October 2004-February 2005, the VPRC opinion poll company conducted a survey of employment, industrial relations and gender inequalities in the Greek journalism sector. The research examines issues such as the structure of employment, multiple job-holding, pay and working time.
- 16 Mar 2005
Denmark: New agreement concluded in local public sector<#PDF_LINK>A new three-year collective agreement for Denmark's municipal/county sector was reached in February 2005. Major demands on both the employer and trade union sides were satisfied: employees will receive a general increase of 5.6% over three years; while the New wagedecentralised pay system will be continued, but in a revised form. The unions did not obtain job security guarantees in connection with a coming local government reform, but they did obtain a wage guarantee for the workers affected.
- 14 Mar 2005
Austria: Social partners debate corporate social responsibility<#PDF_LINK>Corporate social responsibility (CSR) has been a particular focus of debate in Austria in recent years and several initiatives and guiding visionshave been drawn up. Although the social partners cooperate in this area, their opinions on these initiatives and the development of CSR diverge in some cases. This article reviews the situation in early 2005.
- 14 Mar 2005
Germany: 2004 collective bargaining round examined<#PDF_LINK>In January 2005, the WSI research institute presented its report on Germany's 2004 collective bargaining round. The study evaluates collective agreements concluded in 2004, affecting some 7.9 million employees, or about 40% of all those covered by a collective agreement. Another 8 million employees received pay increases in 2004 that had already been agreed in previous years. The average increase in wages and salaries was 2.0% in 2004, which was below the 2.5% increase of the previous year. According to the Federal Statistical Office, however, actualgross wages and salaries rose only by 0.1% in 2004.
- 14 Mar 2005
Ireland: Pay discipline holding in private sector<#PDF_LINK>Relatively few pay deals concluded during 2003-4 exceeded the wage rise norm set out in Ireland's current national partnership agreement, Sustaining Progress. Pay discipline has remained quite firm in the private sector, especially compared with the years of the Celtic Tigereconomic boom in 2000-1. These are among the findings of an analysis published in January 2005 by Industrial Relations News.
- 14 Mar 2005
Finland: Nokia accused of labour rights violations<#PDF_LINK>In January 2005, a group of shop stewards at the Finnish-based multinational Nokia accused the company of disregarding workers’ rights. They alleged that Nokia has adopted such obstructive practices that it has been impossible for them to perform their role as trade union representatives. Moreover, they argued that the position of redundant workers at the company is too vulnerable. Nokia has rejected much of the criticism but has promised to improve the position of shop stewards.
- 14 Mar 2005
Finland: Employers' think-tankassuming an active role<#PDF_LINK>The Finnish Business and Policy Forum (EVA ) has been increasingly taking part in public debate in recent times, arguing strongly for employers’ interests. In December 2004, it was given a further boost by the appointment of a new high-profile board of directors and by bringing it closer to the employer-funded research institute, ETLA. The Finnish Confederation of Salaried Employees (STTK) responded to EVA’s challenge in January 2005 by proposing the establishment of a similar organisation for the labour movement.
- 14 Mar 2005
Cyprus: INEK annual Outlook examines prospects of economic and structural adjustment<#PDF_LINK>The Institute of Labour of Cyprus (INEK) of the Pancyprian Federation of Labour (PEO) issued its second annual Economic and Employment Outlook in early 2005. The Outlook analyses past real economic convergence, examines the prospects of the Cypriot economy, identifies requirements for future growth and proposes a growth pathin which the labour force has a crucial role to play.
- 10 Mar 2005
EU Countries: Industrial relations in the EU, Japan and USA, 2003-4<#PDF_LINK>This overview examines industrial relations developments in the EU, Japan and USA over 2003-4, and focuses on the topical issues of migration and pensions.