April 2005
- 30 Apr 2005
United Kingdom: Union membership gender gap closes<#PDF_LINK>Research published by the Trades Union Congress in March 2005 highlights the closing of the gender gapin trade union membership. Nearly 30% of both female and male workers in the UK belong to a union. This article outlines the main findings of the study and considers the implications of key labour market trends for continued gender parity and union organisation more generally.
- 30 Apr 2005
United Kingdom: Government sets out education and skills reforms<#PDF_LINK>In February 2005, the government unveiled plans to reform education for those aged 14-19 in England, which include introducing new diplomas for work-related learning. The proposals were welcomed by the social partners but have been widely criticised within the education profession for failing to tackle the divide between the academic and the vocational routes.
- 30 Apr 2005
United Kingdom: Labour migration policies under debate<#PDF_LINK>The impact of recent immigration and asylum policies, and proposals for their reform, have been widely debated over the first three months of 2005. This article examines data on labour migration to the UK from the EU accession states in 2004, and reviews the wider policies of employers and trade unions on migrant workers in the UK labour market.
- 30 Apr 2005
United Kingdom: Bleak future predicted for trade unions<#PDF_LINK>A report published in January 2005 suggests that the decline of trade unions in the UK private sector is such that it might culminate in their eventual demise. Unions need to focus on organising new recruits as well as servicing existing members, but without further state support this seems an uphill task. One potential glimmer of hope is said to be provided by the introduction of legislation to implement the EU information and consultation Directive.
- 30 Apr 2005
EU Level: Spring Council and social summit debate mid-term review of Lisbon strategy<#PDF_LINK>The European Council's annual spring meeting on economic and social matters was held in in Brussels in March 2005, preceded by a tripartite social summitinvolving the EU-level social partners. The main focus of the social summit and the Council was a mid-term review of the EU’s 10-year Lisbon strategy, based on proposals from the European Commission. The Council agreed that the strategy should be relaunched to improve governance and implementation over the coming five years.
- 30 Apr 2005
EU Level: Commission issues Communication on restructuring and employment<#PDF_LINK>In early April 2005, the European Commission published a Communication outlining measures aimed at improving the EU’s capacity for anticipating and managing the impact of restructuring. The package of proposals includes enhanced coordination between key strands of EU policy, new and refocused financial support, adaptation of the regulatory framework and the greater involvement of the social partners. The Communication also initiates further consultations with the EU-level social partner organisations about restructuring and European Works Councils.
- 30 Apr 2005
Ireland: Labour Inspectorate wants greater powers to police employers<#PDF_LINK>In April 2005, Ireland’s Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment announced the appointment of 11 more labour inspectors, influenced by a controversial internal departmental report on the Labour Inspectorate’s role, and with mounting evidence of exploitation of migrant workers by some employers.
- 30 Apr 2005
EU Level: Commission adopts 2005-8 integrated guidelines package<#PDF_LINK>In April 2005, the European Commission adopted a set of integrated guidelines for the EU Member States' employment and economic policies, which it described as a three-year blueprint for growth and jobs. This integrated guidelines packageseeks to lay down a comprehensive strategy of macroeconomic, microeconomic and employment policies to redress Europe’s weak growth performance and insufficient job creation.
- 26 Apr 2005
Sweden: Focus on working environment and gender equality in 2004 bargaining round<#PDF_LINK>In its report on the 2004 collective bargaining round, published in February 2005, the Swedish Mediation Authority finds that the working environment and gender equality received considerably more attention from the social partners at sector level than in previous years.
- 26 Apr 2005
Slovenia: Trade unions reject EU draft services Directive<#PDF_LINK>In February 2005, the Union of Free Trade Unions of Slovenia (ZSSS) announced strong opposition to the adoption of the European Commission's controversial proposal for a Directive on services in the internal market. ZSSS's main demand is that the draft Directive's country of originprinciple, whereby service providers would be subject only to the law of the country in which they are established (rather than those in which they operate), should not apply to labour and social legislation. The law of the country where the service is provided should apply in these fields, as should its mechanisms for controlling and supervising service provision .
- 26 Apr 2005
Slovakia: New rules adopted for tripartite social dialogue<#PDF_LINK>For some time, employers and government representatives have criticised the operation of the Economic and Social Concertation Council, RHSD), Slovakia's main national forum for tripartite social dialogue, considering its activities to be ineffective. In 2004, the government decided not to continue with this form of tripartism and the legislation on which the RHSD was based was abolished with effect from the end of the year. However, the government and social partners agreed to continue with tripartite social dialogue under new rules, and a reformed Economic and Social Partnership Council (RHSP) has come into operation in 2005.
- 26 Apr 2005
Italy: Government approves competitiveness action plan<#PDF_LINK>In March 2005, the Italian government approved an action plan on competitiveness and development, which contains various measures aimed at relaunching the country’s competitiveness. These include a streamlining of bureaucratic procedures, support for companies, investments in infrastructure, action against counterfeit goods, and improved measures to help workers affected by restructuring. Trade unions and employers’ organisations take a negative view of the plan.
- 26 Apr 2005
France: French social partners respond to EU draft services Directive<#PDF_LINK>The draft EU Directive on services in the internal market has proved very controversial in France, not least among trade unions. In January 2005, the Economic and Social Council (on which the social partners are represented) adopted an opinion critical of the Directive. This was the first time that this consultative body had adopted an opinion dealing with draft EU legislation.
- 25 Apr 2005
EU Countries: Working time developments - 2004<#PDF_LINK>This review of the length of working time in 2003 and 2004 finds that average collectively agreed weekly working time in the European Union as a whole remained at around 38.6 hours - 0.7 hours shorter in the old EU 15 (plus Norway), and 0.9 hours longer in the new Member States. Agreed normal annual working time averages around 1,740 hours - under 1,700 in the old EU 15 (plus Norway), and over 1,800 in the new Member States. Of three sectors examined, agreed weekly hours are highest in chemicals, followed by retail and the civil service. Average collectively agreed paid annual leave entitlement stood at 26.0 days in 2004.
- 25 Apr 2005
Denmark: New agreement signed for healthcare staff<#PDF_LINK>Denmark's 2005 public sector bargaining round was completed in late February, when a new three-year agreement for 71,00 nurses, physiotherapists, midwives etc was concluded by employers and the Health Cartel of trade unions. The cost-increase framework is 9.3% over the three-year period, is in line with the agreements for the wider county/municipal sector and the central government sector. However, the cartel secured a new wage model that includes improvements for lower-paid groups, and a new agreement on local wage formation.
- 25 Apr 2005
Norway: Pay agreements concluded in private sector<#PDF_LINK>In March 2005, the Confederation of Norwegian Business and Industry (NHO) reached collective agreements on pay with the Norwegian Confederation of Trade Unions (LO) and Confederation of Vocational Unions (YS), covering large parts of the private sector. The settlements provide for small central pay increases, with additional rises for workers not subject to subsequent company-level bargaining and those on low pay.
- 25 Apr 2005
Spain: Intersectoral bargaining framework agreed for 2005<#PDF_LINK>In March 2005, the Spanish social partners reached an intersectoral agreement providing guidelines for lower-level collective bargaining in 2005 , as they had done in the three previous years. The agreement contains two main new features: it includes the possibility of being extended to cover 2006; and it lays down measures to control unjustified absence from work. The agreement reflects the concern of the social partners about improving competitiveness and the quality of employment, and provides for continuing pay moderation.
- 25 Apr 2005
Spain: Tripartite agreement for competitiveness and social cohesion reached in Catalonia<#PDF_LINK>February 2005 saw the conclusion of a strategic agreement for the internationalisation, employment quality and competitiveness of the Catalan economyby the Catalan regional government and regional social partners. The agreement sets out a wide range of commitments that have the dual aim of modernising the industrial fabric and increasing social cohesion. The topics covered include improvements in training, active employment policies and the social dialogue in Catalonia.
- 25 Apr 2005
Cyprus: Bargaining under way over new banking agreement<#PDF_LINK>During March 2005, bargaining continued over the renewal of the collective agreement for the Cypriot banking sector. The ETYK trade union is seeking a one-year agreement providing for a 3% wage increase, but the KEST employers' organisation believes that labour costs are already too high. Other points of contention include ETYK demands for a reduction of working time and employee participation on bank boards, and employers’ calls for increased flexibility.
- 25 Apr 2005
Norway: Wage growth slowed in 2004<#PDF_LINK>The annual average wage growth rate in Norway was 3¾% from 2003 to 2004, down from 4.5% in the previous year, according to figures issued by the Technical Calculating Committee on Wage Settlements in February 2005. Management salaries rose over the same period by 12% in companies with more than 250 employees.
- 25 Apr 2005
Denmark: Finance sector agreements increase flexibility<#PDF_LINK>New collective agreements for the Danish banking and insurance sectors were concluded in March and January 2005 respectively. As well as pay increases, the new accords provide for increased flexibility in a number of areas - for example, working time in the case of the banking agreement and occupational pension contributions in the case of the insurance agreement.
- 22 Apr 2005
Germany: New general framework agreement signed in public services<#PDF_LINK>In February 2005, the United Services Union (ver.di) signed a new general framework collective agreement for the public services with representatives of the German government and municipal employers. The deal includes a new uniform pay framework for both blue- and white collar employees in the public service at federal and municipal level. The 2.1 million public sector workers covered by the deal will receive one-off payments of EUR 300 in each of the next three years, but the agreement does not contain an increase in basic pay rates. The weekly standard working time will be 39 hours for all federal employees - meaning an extension of 30 minutes in western Germany and a reduction of an hour in eastern Germany. Working time for municipal employees remains unchanged, but an opening clause allows an extension of up to 40 hours a week if the bargaining parties agree. Public employers at federal state (Länder) level had left the negotiations at an early stage, so 900,000 public employees at this level are not covered by the new framework.
- 22 Apr 2005
Ireland: Irish industrial relations system no longer voluntarist<#PDF_LINK>An explosionin labour law and its growing encroachment on traditional industrial relations terrain - and the greater use of mandatory outcomes in cases referred to dispute-resolution bodies involving collective bargaining - has resulted in the demise of industrial relations voluntarism in Ireland. This was the argument of a consultant and academic, Martin King, and the chair of the Labour Court, Kevin Duffy, at a conference held in February 2005.
- 22 Apr 2005
Finland: Contracting-out of welfare services a challenge for unions<#PDF_LINK>Finnish local authorities are increasingly outsourcing their welfare services to the private sector, according to research published in February 2005. The main health and social sector trade unions, Tehy and KTV, have come to accept this fact but identify various problems with the process. KTV has responded by deciding to merge with five other unions from 2006 in an attempt to increase its bargaining power in the private sector.
- 22 Apr 2005
EU Level: New European Institute for Gender Equality proposed<#PDF_LINK>In March 2005, Vladimír Špidla, the EU Commissioner for Employment, Social Affairs and Equal Opportunities, proposed the establishment of a new European Institute for Gender Equality. It would be an independent centre of excellence at European level that collects, analyses and diffuses reliable and comparable data
- 22 Apr 2005
United Kingdom: Parties outline contrasting election policies on employment relations<#PDF_LINK>Elections to the UK parliament will take place on 5 May 2005. We highlight the main political parties’ manifesto commitments in the area of employment relations.
- 21 Apr 2005
Belgium: Dispute continues in healthcare<#PDF_LINK>After a lengthy period of tension accompanied by industrial action, negotiations over a new collective agreement for staff in healthcare institutions operating under the auspices of the Belgian federal government appeared to have come to a conclusion in March 2005, when a deal was reached by the government and trade unions. However, the employers’ organisations representing private sector institutions refused to sign the agreement, opposing its provisions allowing a trade union delegation to be set up in smaller workplaces. The situation now appears to have reached an impasse.
- 21 Apr 2005
Germany: Report examines agreed training allowances in 2004<#PDF_LINK>In January 2005, the Institute for Vocational Education and Training (BIBB) published an analysis of agreed allowances for trainees in Germany in 2004. In 2004, the collectively agreed earnings of trainees in Germany as a whole were, on average, EUR 601 per month, a 1.0% increase over the previous year’s figure. Noteworthy differences persist between eastern and western Germany.
- 21 Apr 2005
Bulgaria: Social partners make joint election demands<#PDF_LINK>A number of nationally representative trade union confederations and employers' organisations have launched a joint initiative to draw up a Social and Economic Pact, setting out priorities for the new government that takes office in Bulgaria after the general election in June 2005. The organisations involved will support political parties that commit themselves to the objectives of the Pact.
- 21 Apr 2005
EU Level: March social affairs Council prepares for spring summit <#PDF_LINK>An EU employment and social policy Council meeting was held in Brussels in early March 2005. The main items on the agenda included preparations for the spring 2005 European Council summit, a set of conclusions on the social dimension of globalisation, the revision of the working time Directive, a proposal to amend two social security Regulations and an overview of private pension provision in the EU.
- 21 Apr 2005
Czech Republic: Council of Economic and Social Agreement tightens representativeness criteria<#PDF_LINK>The Council of Economic and Social Agreement of the Czech Republic (RHSD ČR) is the country's main tripartite forum. In the second half of 2004, representatives of the social partners took another look at the criteria for membership of the RHSD ČR, and in September made a number of amendments. Notably, employers' organisations must now represent employers with a total of 400,000 employees, compared with the previous 200,000 . The quantitative criterion for trade union representation on the Council remains unchanged - union federations must have at least 150,000 members.
- 20 Apr 2005
Denmark: Thematic feature - collective agreements on changes in work organisation<#PDF_LINK>This article gives a brief overview of collective bargaining on changes in work organisation in Denmark, as of September 2004. It looks at: the extent to which collective agreements introduce changes in work organisation that take into account productivity demands, flexibility and security in an integrated way; the main areas in which changes are being introduced; the overall success or otherwise of bargaining on the topic; and the prospects for the future.
- 20 Apr 2005
Sweden: Thematic feature - collective agreements on changes in work organisation<#PDF_LINK>This article gives a brief overview of collective bargaining on changes in work organisation in Sweden, as of September 2004. It looks at: the extent to which collective agreements introduce changes in work organisation that take into account productivity demands, flexibility and security in an integrated way; the main areas in which changes are being introduced; the overall success or otherwise of bargaining on the topic; and the prospects for the future.
- 20 Apr 2005
Slovakia: Thematic feature - collective agreements on changes in work organisation<#PDF_LINK>This article gives a brief overview of collective bargaining on changes in work organisation in Slovakia, as of September 2004. It looks at: the extent to which collective agreements introduce changes in work organisation that take into account productivity demands, flexibility and security in an integrated way; the main areas in which changes are being introduced; the overall success or otherwise of bargaining on the topic; and the prospects for the future.
- 20 Apr 2005
Poland: Thematic feature - collective agreements on changes in work organisation<#PDF_LINK>This article gives a brief overview of collective bargaining on changes in work organisation in Poland, as of September 2004. It looks at: the extent to which collective agreements introduce changes in work organisation that take into account productivity demands, flexibility and security in an integrated way; the main areas in which changes are being introduced; the overall success or otherwise of bargaining on the topic; and the prospects for the future.
- 20 Apr 2005
EU Countries: Pay developments - 2004<#PDF_LINK>This review of trends in pay in 2003 and 2004 finds that average collectively agreed nominal wage increases across the EU 25 fell from 4.2% in 2003 to 4.0% in 2004 (though with major variations between countries), continuing a steady downward trend. Taking into account inflation, the rate of real increase fell more sharply, from 1.8% in 2003 to 1.0% in 2004. In the oldEU 15, the average agreed nominal wage increase remained unchanged in 2004 at 3.1%, while in the 10 new Member States that joined in May 2004, it fell from 5.9% in 2003 to 5.4% in 2004. The overall picture is of a continuing trend towards wage moderation. This review also looks at collectively agreed pay increases in selected sectors (chemicals, retail and the civil service), increases in average earnings and minimum wages (plus minimum wage rates), and the gender pay gap.
- 19 Apr 2005
Netherlands: Thematic feature - collective agreements on changes in work organisation<#PDF_LINK>This article gives a brief overview of collective bargaining on changes in work organisation in the Netherlands, as of September 2004. It looks at: the extent to which collective agreements introduce changes in work organisation that take into account productivity demands, flexibility and security in an integrated way; the main areas in which changes are being introduced; the overall success or otherwise of bargaining on the topic; and the prospects for the future.
- 19 Apr 2005
Greece: Thematic feature - collective agreements on changes in work organisation<#PDF_LINK>This article gives a brief overview of collective bargaining on changes in work organisation in Greece, as of September 2004. It looks at: the extent to which collective agreements introduce changes in work organisation that take into account productivity demands, flexibility and security in an integrated way; the main areas in which changes are being introduced; the overall success or otherwise of bargaining on the topic; and the prospects for the future.
- 19 Apr 2005
Spain: Thematic feature - collective agreements on changes in work organisation<#PDF_LINK>This article gives a brief overview of collective bargaining on changes in work organisation in Spain, as of September 2004. It looks at: the extent to which collective agreements introduce changes in work organisation that take into account productivity demands, flexibility and security in an integrated way; the main areas in which changes are being introduced; the overall success or otherwise of bargaining on the topic; and the prospects for the future.
- 19 Apr 2005
Norway: Thematic feature - collective agreements on changes in work organisation<#PDF_LINK>This article gives a brief overview of collective bargaining on changes in work organisation in Norway, as of September 2004. It looks at: the extent to which collective agreements introduce changes in work organisation that take into account productivity demands, flexibility and security in an integrated way; the main areas in which changes are being introduced; the overall success or otherwise of bargaining on the topic; and the prospects for the future.
- 19 Apr 2005
France: Thematic feature - collective agreements on changes in work organisation<#PDF_LINK>This article gives a brief overview of collective bargaining on changes in work organisation in France, as of September 2004. It looks at: the extent to which collective agreements introduce changes in work organisation that take into account productivity demands, flexibility and security in an integrated way; the main areas in which changes are being introduced; the overall success or otherwise of bargaining on the topic; and the prospects for the future.
- 19 Apr 2005
Belgium: Thematic feature - collective agreements on changes in work organisation<#PDF_LINK>This article gives a brief overview of collective bargaining on changes in work organisation in Belgium, as of September 2004. It looks at: the extent to which collective agreements introduce changes in work organisation that take into account productivity demands, flexibility and security in an integrated way; the main areas in which changes are being introduced; the overall success or otherwise of bargaining on the topic; and the prospects for the future.
- 19 Apr 2005
Hungary: Thematic feature - collective agreements on changes in work organisation<#PDF_LINK>This article gives a brief overview of collective bargaining on changes in work organisation in Hungary, as of September 2004. It looks at: the extent to which collective agreements introduce changes in work organisation that take into account productivity demands, flexibility and security in an integrated way; the main areas in which changes are being introduced; the overall success or otherwise of bargaining on the topic; and the prospects for the future.
- 19 Apr 2005
Italy: Thematic feature - collective agreements on changes in work organisation<#PDF_LINK>This article gives a brief overview of collective bargaining on changes in work organisation in Italy, as of September 2004. It looks at: the extent to which collective agreements introduce changes in work organisation that take into account productivity demands, flexibility and security in an integrated way; the main areas in which changes are being introduced; the overall success or otherwise of bargaining on the topic; and the prospects for the future.
- 15 Apr 2005
Romania: Proposed Labour Code changes prove controversial<#PDF_LINK>In January 2005, based on a prior commitment to the International Monetary Fund and with the aim of enhancing the flexibility of the labour market, the Romanian government proposed substantial amendments to the Labour Code. Trade unions categorically oppose the proposals and have launched protest actions of unusual scale. They have, however, agreed to hold parallel negotiations on potential changes with employers’ associations, as soon as the latter have reached a joint decision on the matter.
- 15 Apr 2005
Slovenia: Negotiations over national collective agreement for journalists deadlocked<#PDF_LINK>In February 2005, negotiations over a new national collective agreement for Slovenian journalists have reached an impasse. The main contentious issue is whether to conclude a single collective agreement for both the private and the public sectors, or an agreement for the private sector only. The Union of Slovenian Journalists demands negotiations on a single agreement and therefore also wants a joint employers’ negotiating group including representatives of the public and private sectors. However, employers are prepared to negotiate only for the private sector.
- 15 Apr 2005
Sweden: 10 years of EU labour law examined from a Nordic perspective<#PDF_LINK>Sweden and Finland joined the EU in 1995, and have thus now been covered by the Union's labour law for 10 years. In January 2005, a seminar was held in Stockholm to discuss the findings of recent research into the effects of EU labour legislation in the Nordic countries.
- 15 Apr 2005
Poland: Rules on regional social dialogue amended<#PDF_LINK>Amended legislation governing the operation of Poland's regional social dialogue commissions came into force at the beginning of 2005. The 16 consultative commissions bring together representatives of regional trade union and employers' organisations, regional government and the national government.
- 15 Apr 2005
Slovakia: Bus companies threaten to restrict services<#PDF_LINK>On 15 November 2004, Slovakian bus companies significantly reduced the number of regular bus services in a one-day protest action. Although the protest did not lead to serious economic damage, it did highlight the deep problems underlying the financing of public bus transport. According to the bus companies, if the problem is not resolved, there could be mass redundancies and wide-scale route closures. A coordination group was set up at the end of 2004.
- 15 Apr 2005
Slovakia: Upward wage trend in 2004<#PDF_LINK>According to the Statistical Office of the Slovak Republic, average nominal monthly wages increased during the first three quarters of 2004 more rapidly than consumer prices, resulting in a real wage rise of 1.7%. In 2003, although average nominal wages had increased by 6.3%, real wages fell by 1.8%. Average real wages are expected to rise even more rapidly in the next few years.
- 14 Apr 2005
Netherlands: Collective bargaining under the autumn 2004 social agreement<#PDF_LINK>In November 2004, the Dutch government and social partner reached a social agreement, providing for strict pay moderation in 2005 as well as dealing with matters such as occupational disability insurance, life-span leavearrangements and early retirement. This article reviews collective bargaining since the agreement was reached, as of February 2005. Negotiations have generally been difficult and it appears that employers and trade unions have differing interpretations of the social agreement.
- 14 Apr 2005
Poland: Railway dispute continues<#PDF_LINK>As part of the restructuring of Polish National Railways (PKP), regional rail services are being reorganised and are supposed to come under the jurisdiction of regional governments, thus being divided into 16 separate companies. This plan is strongly opposed by railway trade unions, which organised protests in 2004 and early 2005. An agreement was signed in February 2005 by the government and unions, suspending the establishment of regional rail companies, but the conflict has not been resolved.
- 14 Apr 2005
Poland: Pay increases and disputes in 2004 examined<#PDF_LINK>2004 saw an upsurge in demands for pay increases in many parts of the Polish public and private sector, with expectations apparently being raised by EU accession, rising inflation and economic growth. However, average gross monthly pay in the business sector rose by only 0.8% in real terms during the year. Pay demands were at the centre of a number of industrial disputes in 2004, along with employers' failure to pay due wages. The central social partners have agreed on an average pay rise of 4.5% in 2005.
- 14 Apr 2005
Netherlands: Gender equality process falling short of targets<#PDF_LINK>A government-commissioned report published in late 2004 finds that the process of achieving gender equality in the Netherlands is falling short of objectives set by the government. Growth in women's labour market participation is lagging behind the targets set; despite being educated to a higher average level than the male workforce, the number of women being promoted to high-level positions is stagnating; a recent survey indicates that employers believe that working part time and occupying a high-level or managerial position cannot be combined; and pay discrimination appears to be persisting. Partly in response to criticism expressed by the European Union, the Minister of Social Affairs and Employment has promised to intensify equality policy. He has also given the social partners an important role in implementing policies directed at combating pay discrimination.
- 14 Apr 2005
Spain: Committee makes labour market reform proposals<#PDF_LINK>January 2005 saw the publication of a report by a committee of experts set up to examine the Spanish labour market and make proposals for reform to be discussed by the government and social partners. The committee points out current weaknesses, notably a low employment rate, a high temporary employment rate, patchy and inadequate social protection coverage, and low productivity growth. It argues that the government and social partners must respond to these problems with a global approach based on measures to promote flexicurity.
- 14 Apr 2005
Spain: Report examines temporary employment in the public administration<#PDF_LINK>In late 2004, Spain's Economic and Social Council (CES) issued a report on the high rate of temporary employment in the public administration. Nearly 23% of workers in the public sector are on temporary contracts, the highest rate in the EU 15. The new report, which has been welcomed by trade unions, describes the phenomenon in detail, analyses its causes and proposes solutions.
- 14 Apr 2005
Spain: Number of workplace accidents falls<#PDF_LINK>Figures published in January 2005 indicate that the number of workplace accidents fell in Spain in 2004, apparently confirming a downward trend. However, the level of accidents is still the highest in the EU. Trade unions are calling for greater monitoring of the application of the legislation on risk prevention, whereas employers are concerned that their responsibilities are increasing, and are reluctant to accept that accident prevention depends exclusively on them. The government has announced new measures aimed at increasing controls on employers.
- 14 Apr 2005
Latvia: Medical workers' pay protests accelerate reform of healthcare system<#PDF_LINK>2004 saw a wave of protests by various groups of workers in the Latvian healthcare system, calling for major pay rises. This followed many years of unfulfilled government promises that healthcare funding will be improved once reforms have been completed. In early 2005, the government responded by awarding significant pay increases to medical workers and speeding up reform of the system.
- 11 Apr 2005
Lithuania: Achievements and problems of a decade of tripartite social partnership assessed<#PDF_LINK>In May 2005, the Tripartite Council of the Republic of Lithuania - the country's top-level national social dialogue institution - will have been in operation for 10 years. Over this period the Council has become an established public institution playing an active role in Lithuania's social and economic policy, though it appears that there are a number of problems that it must tackle in future.
- 11 Apr 2005
Lithuania: Recent developments in labour law examined<#PDF_LINK>Lithuanian labour law underwent a series of amendments in 2004, mainly bringing national provisions into line with EU law. Areas where the law has changed include the posting of workers, working time, guarantees for employees in the event of their employer's insolvency and employee involvement in multinational companies.
- 11 Apr 2005
Sweden: The European Union Working Time Directive finally implemented in the Swedish Working Time Act<#PDF_LINK>16 February 2005 the Swedish Parliament accepted the Governmental Bill of changes in the Swedish Working Time Act in order to carry through the European Union Directive (93/104/EC) in a clearer way.
- 11 Apr 2005
Hungary: Redesigning the relations between MSZP and MSZOSZ<#PDF_LINK>The meeting of István Hiller, President of MSZP and Tamás Wittich, President of MSZOSZ marks a new era in the relationship between the Hungarian Socialist Party and one of the major Hungarian trade union confederations
- 11 Apr 2005
United Kingdom: Job cuts announced at Peugeot plant<#PDF_LINK>In March 2005, the French car manufacturer Peugeot Citroën announced 850 job losses at its Ryton plant near Coventry. The move has fuelled speculation over the long-term future of the plant.
- 11 Apr 2005
Finland: Deadlock in paper industry bargaining<#PDF_LINK>By the beginning of April 2005, collective bargaining negotiations had been successfully concluded in all the major sectors that had remained outside the scope of the recent centralised agreement. The only exception was the paper industry where the social partners have thus far hardly found any common ground.
- 11 Apr 2005
Malta: Disagreement over public holidays’ amendment<#PDF_LINK>The government’s amendment of the National Holidays and Other Public Holidays Act was welcomed by the employers’ associations. Through the amendment, public holidays falling on weekends are no longer added to employees’ vacation leave. The major Maltese trade unions have declared that they will resist any law which breaches existing collective agreements.
- 11 Apr 2005
Germany: New deal at GM Germany to safeguard production until 2010<#PDF_LINK>On 17 March 2005, the company works council of Adam Opel AG, a German subsidiary of General Motors (GM) approved an agreement with management which aims at safeguarding production at the German sites of Opel until 2010. The agreement follows the European Framework Agreement on restructuring and cost cutting concluded in December 2004. In return for commitments made on the part of the management to produce a number of future GM models at the German sites, the company works council made concessions on pay and working time flexibility.
- 11 Apr 2005
United Kingdom: Talks on public sector pensions avert planned strike<#PDF_LINK>Trade unions representing public sector workers called off a 24-hour strike due to be held on 23 March 2005 over planned changes to pension arrangements after the government agreed to new talks involving ministers, employers and unions.
- 11 Apr 2005
Austria: First collective agreement signed for private training institutions<#PDF_LINK>After several years of negotiations the first collective agreement for private training institutions was concluded in February 2005. Uniform standards in this increasingly important field shall prevent unfair competition at the employees’ expense. The agreement, that covers about 5,000 employees, contains innovative elements such as the claim to supervision and sabbatical leave schemes.
- 11 Apr 2005
Germany: IW publishes new overview of thresholds in labour and job security<#PDF_LINK>On 24 February 2005, the Cologne Institute for Business Research (IW) published an updated list of thresholds in labour and job security. According to IW, some of them, including rigid dismissal protection, are not only costly for companies, but are also detrimental to individuals’ labour market prospects. The IW laments the fact that no liberalisation can be expected in the short term even if, officially, the governemt supports the cutting back of red tape.
- 11 Apr 2005
Slovakia: Woman Lobby advocates equal opportunity<#PDF_LINK>On 8 March the Department for Equal Opportunity and Antidiscrimination at the Ministry of Labour, Social Affairs and Family was abolished. The new Department of Family and Gender Policy have replaced it. According to Woman Lobby of Slovakia this solution will weaken the implementation of the gender equality in practice in Slovakia.
- 11 Apr 2005
Bulgaria: Tripartite Partnership Under Threat<#PDF_LINK>In March both largest trade union centres in Bulgaria CITUB and LC Podkrepa decided to withdraw their participation in the National Council for Tripartite Cooperation. They are against formal and ineffectively work of the Council.
- 11 Apr 2005
France: Cross-sector union mobilisation on 10 March 2005: social pressure mounts on purchasing power, 35-hour week and employment<#PDF_LINK>Parliament is preparing to pass a law that amends the 35-hour week Acts. Boosted by the success of their mobilisation on 20 February 2005, the unions have called on employees to engage in another day of cross-sector action on Thursday 10 March 2005, on the issues of purchasing power, the 35-hour week and employment.
- 11 Apr 2005
France: UNSA Congress<#PDF_LINK>The Union nationale des syndicats autonomes - UNSA, (National Federation of Independent Unions) held its fourth national congress in Nantes in March 2005. Even though the Federation’s initial attempts to have the Courts recognise it as a representative body failed, the organisation, buoyed by its score at the latest industrial court elections, is determined not to rest on its laurels and to press ahead with its growth.
- 11 Apr 2005
Slovenia: Paternal leave 90 days from 1 January 2005<#PDF_LINK>According to the Law on Parental Care and Family Cash Benefits (LPCFCB) a father has the right to 90 days of paternity leave from 1 January 2005 onwards. 21 November 2001 the parliament passed the LPCFCB which introduced some urgently required changes necessary to harmonise the Slovenian legislation with that of the EU. The LPCFCB is fully in accordance with the Council Directive 96/34/EC regulating parental leave.
- 11 Apr 2005
Italy: Textile workers go on strike<#PDF_LINK>On 8 March 2005 the workers of the Italian textile sector hold a strike to ask for the support of the so-called made in Italy sector which has been in crisis for three years. Introduction of a compulsory label and fight against counterfeited products are the main request behind the strike.
- 11 Apr 2005
Italy: The government approved two implementing decrees on the reform of the education and training system<#PDF_LINK>On 24 March 2005 the Italian government approved two legislative decrees implementing the reform of the school and training system. The two decrees have raised the age limits for compulsory education and training to 18 years of age and introduce the possibility for the students aged between 15 and 18 of alternating school and work periods.
- 11 Apr 2005
Italy: Solidarity agreementsigned for Alitalia flight attendants<#PDF_LINK>On 26 February 2005 Italy’s national airline, Alitalia, and the sectoral trade unions signed an agreement implementing the flight attendants’ agreement signed in September 2004. Incentives for early retirement, new remuneration system and a contribution of solidarityon behalf of all workers to reduce redundancies to zero are the main novelties of the accord.
- 11 Apr 2005
Norway: Report on work environment situation of non-western workers<#PDF_LINK>On 7 March 2005 the Norwegian Labour Inspection Authority published a report on the working environment situation of non-western immigrant workers in Norway. It argues that lack of training and information is an important obstacle to a healthy work environment among this group of workers.
- 11 Apr 2005
Belgium: The conflict at AGC Automotive ends after 104 days of strike<#PDF_LINK>Triggered on the 2 December 2004, the labour conflict at AGC Automotive, a glassworks firm, ended on the 15 March 2005 with the signature of an agreement between management and the trade union organisations. It provides for the loss of 249 jobs. Work was able to resume on the 21 March.
- 11 Apr 2005
Czech Republic: Discrimination against women with children in the Czech Republic <#PDF_LINK>In the opinion of Czech citizens, women with children are subjected to more discrimination on the labor market than any other group in the country, according to research carried out by the agency Median, s.r.o. in late February and early March of 2005. In particular, illegal behavior on the part of employers (new legislation intended to eliminate discriminatory practices in the treatment of job applicants has been in force since October 2004) takes the form of impermissible questions posed during job interviews: on the average, every second women reports having been subjected to such treatment.
- 11 Apr 2005
Romania: New employers' organisation established in agriculture<#PDF_LINK>On 22 March 2005, some 60 major private producers of agricultural commodities in Romania, holding in exploitation agricultural land in excess of 1,000 hectares, set up the Major Agricultural Producers’ Organisation in Romania, PMPA. Although small-scale farmers prevail in Romanian agriculture, the organisation hopes to have its say in the near future, with the resumption of the arable land concentration process and the development of large-scale, market-oriented farms.
- 11 Apr 2005
Greece: Changes in the Way Annual Paid Leave is Calculated.<#PDF_LINK>Law 3,302/2004, passed at the end of 2004, introduced new regulations on the manner in which annual paid leave is calculated.
- 11 Apr 2005
Denmark: New agreement concluded in the green sector<#PDF_LINK>By the end of March 2005 the social partners in the dairy sector signed a new collective agreement which will run for the next three years. This means that agreements have now been concluded in the entire so-called green sector (agriculture, horticulture and forestry) although it looked at some stage as if an industrial dispute could be foreseen. An unpopular proposal from Arla Foods was withdrawn during the process.
- 11 Apr 2005
Greece: Wave of Industrial Action hits Greece<#PDF_LINK>Widespread industrial action took place on 17 March 2005, in which the Greek General Confederation of Labour (GSEE) and the Confederation of Public Servants (ADEDY) took part. The strikes were directed against the government’s incomes policy and its proposals for changes in industrial relations and the social insurance system.
- 11 Apr 2005
Greece: Protests over Longer Opening Hours for Shops<#PDF_LINK>The Greek government’s announcements regarding the introduction of national opening times for shops have generated strong protests.
- 05 Apr 2005
Italy: Siemens agreement prevents relocation<#PDF_LINK>In late January 2005, Siemens Vdo Automotive (part of the German-based multinational) and trade unions signed a company-level agreement that is highly innovative in the context of Italian industrial relations, because it runs counter to the increasing tendency for firms to relocate production abroad. The agreement introduces Sunday working - a concession made by the unions in exchange for considerable wage increases, reduced weekly working hours and the guarantee of new recruitment. For the time being, the new measures affect a single factory, but the objective is to extend the agreement to cover all Siemens plants in Italy.
- 05 Apr 2005
Ireland: Consultation proposals raise contentious issues<#PDF_LINK>In February 2005, Ireland's draft legislation to transpose the 2002 EU information and consultation Directive was proving controversial, despite not yet having been finalised. For instance, employers have criticised the 23 March 2005 deadline for implementing pre-existingagreements on information and consultation. In the longer-term, the legality of employers implementing the Directive through directmethods of consultation (ie without employee representatives) could be called into question, in the event that worker demands for indirect representation are not met.
- 05 Apr 2005
Bulgaria: Pension reform continues<#PDF_LINK>A reform of the Bulgarian pensions system, launched in 2000, has continued in 2004 and 2005 and has been the subject of much debate. An important change made in early 2005 has been the introduction of councils that act as trustees of mandatory supplementary pension insurance funds, made up mainly of representatives of the social partners.
- 05 Apr 2005
Italy: Gender pay gap examined<#PDF_LINK>Various studies published in late 2004 indicate that there are still substantial wage differentials in Italy between women and men of the same age, with the same education and level of qualifications. The reasons cited for the continuing gender pay gap include women taking maternity and childcare leave, working fewer hours and having lower individual bargaining power, along with the absence of a gender mainstreaming policy in the workplace.
- 01 Apr 2005
France: Reports underscore importance of industrial policy in context of globalisation<#PDF_LINK>Two reports issued in early 2005 examine the position of French industry in the wake of numerous company relocation announcements and the resulting fears of the deindustrialisation of the French economy. The analysis and comparisons contained in the reports mainly focus on the need to return to a proactive industrial policy. Trade unions have given the reports a broadly positive reception.
- 01 Apr 2005
Germany: Gesamtmetall prepares to accept new members<#PDF_LINK>On 31 January 2005, the employers’ association for the German metalworking and electrical industry, Gesamtmetall, agreed to admit, with immediate effect, affiliations of establishments that are not bound by sectoral collective agreements - known as Ohne Tarifbindung(OT-status) - into its ranks. Gesamtmetall now also represents associations without collective bargaining functions. The step has ended a debate on this subject that had been going on within the umbrella organisation for some time. Union representatives criticised the change.
- 01 Apr 2005
France: La Poste reorganises as competition looms<#PDF_LINK>With the prospect of the full deregulation of postal services by 2009, La Poste, the French post office, has increased the pace of its overhaul process and is now endeavouring to reorganise. In early 2005, the employment implications of the planned shake-up of the post office branch network and its consequences in terms of rural development have sparked strong reaction from both trade unions and local elected officials.
- 01 Apr 2005
France: Report advocates major reform of labour market<#PDF_LINK>In December 2004, two economists submitted a report to the Ministers of Economy and Employment advocating a shake-up of the French labour market. Key recommendations include measures to promote more equitable access to specific jobs, a single standardised employment contract and improved support for unemployed people.
- 01 Apr 2005
France: Reform of 35-hour week law under way <#PDF_LINK>A bill that introduces flexibility into France's 35-hour working week legislation was passed on its first reading in the National Assembly in February 2005. While the bill does not abolish the 35-hour week, it reforms the rules on working time accounts and allows more overtime working. Trade unions have unanimously condemned the bill and organised a wide-scale day of action to defend the 35-hour week on 5 February.
- 01 Apr 2005
France: 2002 works council election results published<#PDF_LINK>The results of France's 2002 works council elections were published in January 2005. The turn-out among employees had fallen since 1998 but remained relatively high. Over a 10-year period, some trade unions’ share of the vote has not significantly changed, while others have made significant advances.
- 01 Apr 2005
Sweden: Commissioner proposes a reinforced industrial health service<#PDF_LINK>1 December 2004 the Commissioner surveying the Swedish industrial health service presented a proposal of a reinforced health service to the Government. A specific law of industrial health service is one of the elements of the proposal.
- 01 Apr 2005
Spain: Spain 2004: employment rises and unemployment falls<#PDF_LINK>In Spain 461,300 jobs were created in 2004, two out of three of them being occupied by women. The employment and participation rates are the highest in the last 30 years, with a participation rate of over 45% for women. The construction sector has shown the greatest growth of jobs, followed by services and industry.
- 01 Apr 2005
Spain: An industrial accident in Burgos causes twelve victims and shows serious shortcomings in occupational risk prevention<#PDF_LINK>A serious accident in a construction company caused by a fire in the premises used by workers as a changing room caused several deaths and serious injuries. The first signs point to irregularities in the use given to these premises, which is strictly governed by the regulations that develop the Occupational Risk Prevention Law (31/1995). According to the trade unions, this episode is further proof of the continuing infringement of these regulations in Spain.
- 01 Apr 2005
Germany: New collective agreements for temporary agency workers<#PDF_LINK>On 18 February 2005, representatives of all trade unions affiliated to the Confederation of German Trade Unions (DGB) signed a new pay agreement for temporary agency workers with the Association of German Temporary Employment Agencies (iGZ), representing a number of small and medium-sized temporary agencies. This agreement provides an increase of 2.2% for temporary workers in the so-called basic pay scheme, moving the lowest pay level to EUR 7 an hour with effect from 1 March 2005. Employees in higher wage-schemes will only receive minor increases or no increase at all. In another agreement concluded in December 2004 between the DGB-affiliates and the Federal Association of Temporary Employment Agencies (BZA), whose members include some of the major companies in the sector, it was agreed that the partial adjustment of eastern German pay rates to western German pay levels which had been previously agreed for 2005 will be delayed by one year.
- 01 Apr 2005
Austria: Abolition of taxation on tips<#PDF_LINK>At the end of January 2005, Karl-Heinz Grasser, the minister of finance, announced the introduction of a lump sum taxation on tips. After massive protests of the social partners he withdrew his demand and declared tips tax-free.
- 01 Apr 2005
Belgium: Upheaval plagues French-language public broadcasting<#PDF_LINK>RTBF, the public radio and television of the French Community of Belgium (Brussels and Walloonia), has been plagued by a series of strikes since the 24 January 2005. The conflict originated with the new employment regulations for technical staff but later spread to other categories (journalists, producers, etc.). The dispute concerns the organisation of the autonomous public enterprise and the aim of its public service role.
- 01 Apr 2005
France: Social Economy’ Sector Employers get Organised, and the CEGES elects new Chair<#PDF_LINK>The employers in the Social Economy’ sector, one of whose component associations has just elected a new Chair, are striving to obtain recognition, both for their very existence and their values.
- 01 Apr 2005
France: Discussions End on Sunday Opening for Shops?<#PDF_LINK>Discussions on Sunday opening for shops have generated tension within the Government itself and strong opposition from trade unions. Following the intervention of the Prime Minister, the maximum number of Sundays on which shops are legally allowed to open remains unchanged at 5.
- 01 Apr 2005
Finland: Outrage over collective redundancies at TeliaSonera<#PDF_LINK>TeliaSonera Finland, the country’s leading telecom company, announced in February 2005 that it is to cut its workforce by up to 650 employees in order to increase its competitiveness. YTN and TU have condemned the measure on grounds that the company is highly profitability and as such it has no right to carry out large-scale collective redundancies on economic grounds.
- 01 Apr 2005
Bulgaria: The two largest trade unions in Bulgaria - CITUB and CL Podkrepaare warning the Government that they will leave the National Trilateral Co-operation Council<#PDF_LINK>The management of CITUB and CL Podkrepademanded in September a new identification procedure for the nationally representative trade unions. The trade union leaders Jeliazko Hristov and Konstantin Trenchev threatened that otherwise they may leave the National Trilateral Co-operation Council. The reason for their reaction was the participation of Promianatrade union in the last meeting of the National Council
- 01 Apr 2005
Spain: Agreement reached on the divestiture of industrial accident prevention services<#PDF_LINK>Since the autumn of 2004 there has been a dispute in the sector of industrial accident mutual insurances societies over the imminent modification of their regulation in order to separate mutual insurance societies from external welfare services, which up to now have been offered directly by the mutual insurance societies. The government, the sectoral employers' association AMAT and CCOO and the UGT signed a new agreement in January that guarantees the labour rights in the new situation.
- 01 Apr 2005
Latvia: Trade unions will look after the employment rights of inhabitants of Latvia working abroad<#PDF_LINK>After accession to the European Union an increasing number of Latvia’s inhabitants have traveled abroad to work. At a board meeting in February, the Free Trade Union Confederation of Latvia began discussions about protecting the employment and social rights of inhabitants of Latvia working abroad, and decided to begin negotiations with the European Trade Union Confederation about the possibilities for Latvian trade union members working in EU member states to receive employment and social guarantees set out in the laws of the respective countries.
- 01 Apr 2005
Italy: Agreement signed for co.co.pro workers at the university of Siena<#PDF_LINK>In February 2005, the University of Siena and the Italian confederate and autonomous trade union organisations representing school workers signed an agreement to regulate project contractemployment. The agreement signed, the first of the kind, provides maternity, sickness and occupational accidents coverage and defines fixed deadlines for the payment of the annual remuneration.
- 01 Apr 2005
Italy: National collective agreement signed in banking<#PDF_LINK>In February 2005 the sectoral trade union and employers’ associations signed an agreement for 320,000 workers of the banking industry. The main innovations in the deal concern pay increases, the application of the Biagi law and a contribution to the supplementary pension fund.
- 01 Apr 2005
Denmark: New agreement concluded for employees in the state sector<#PDF_LINK>A new three-year agreement was concluded for the about 160,000 employees in the state sector by end of February 2005. The main results were a modest improvement in real wages and a wage guarantee in connection with the up-coming local government reform. As a new element in this bargaining field, the state has an introduced a special integration wage for immigrants in order to facilitate their labour market integration.
- 01 Apr 2005
Netherlands: Unanimous SER recommendation on simplification of Working Hours Act<#PDF_LINK>On 18 February 2005, the Social and Economic Council issued a unanimous recommendation on the simplification of the Working Hours Act. The basic premise is to combine a good level of protection with sufficient space for flexibility.
- 01 Apr 2005
Italy: Agreement signed at Terni steelworks<#PDF_LINK>On 26 February 2005 the Italian trade unions and the German-based steel making group ThyssenKrupp signed an agreement which puts an end to the long dispute about the closure of some company’s operations. The most important parts of the deal concern the closure of electrical sheet-steel by 2005, the safeguard of the occupational levels and new investments
- 01 Apr 2005
Norway: LO to direct efforts at improving gender equality<#PDF_LINK>On 23 February 2005 the Norwegian Confederation of Trade Unions presented its proposal for a revised Programme of Action for the next congressional period. In its proposal LO commits itself to intensify work to promote gender equality in working life as well as in society in general.
- 01 Apr 2005
Czech Republic: The Difficult Situation of Social Dialogue in Railway Transportation<#PDF_LINK>Collective bargaining on the Czech Railways about enterprise-level collective agreement for 2005 hasn’t finished yet. The five from the six trade organizations operating at Czech Railways reached the agreement after negotiations and signed the enterprise-level collective agreement on 27th January 2005. The Enginedriver´s Federation of the Czech Republic demands greater wage increase for the drivers and refuses to sign the agreement. The agreement is therefore not valid. Employees are loosing the extra benefits provided under the enterprise-level collective agreement.
- 01 Apr 2005
EU Level: Trade unionists demonstrate in support of employment and social rights<#PDF_LINK>The European trade union confederation (ETUC) has called a demonstration in Brussels in March 2005 in defence of employment and social rights and against the proposed Directive on services in the internal market.
- 01 Apr 2005
EU Level: Commission issues proposal on working time for cross-border train drivers<#PDF_LINK>The Commission has issued a draft Directive giving legal effect to a social partners’ agreement on working time for mobile workers employed on cross-border services in the rail sector.
- 01 Apr 2005
EU Level: Joint collective bargaining declaration in banking<#PDF_LINK>Trade unions in the European banking sector issued in November 2004 a joint declaration on collective bargaining coordination and cooperation.
- 01 Apr 2005
Ireland: Government priorities for seventh successive national programme<#PDF_LINK>The Taoiseach (Prime Minister), Bertie Ahern, recently outlined his Government’s key priorities for a seventh successive social partnership agreement when talks begin towards the end of this year on expiry of the current three-year national agreement, Sustaining Progress.
- 01 Apr 2005
Romania: Controversy re-emerges in education<#PDF_LINK>Not having been granted the pay rise as promised, employees in education submitted an open letter to the Prime Minister in February 2005. Though the answer was not a favourable one, trade unions continue to defend their claims and request an immediate resolution of the issue.