November 2005
- 30 Nov 2005
Czech Republic: Labour Code amendments prove controversial<#PDF_LINK>In October 2005, the Czech parliament started debating a set of amendments to the Labour Code proposed by the government. The reform, which aims to bring the Code up to date, has created a rift within the governing coalition and divided the social partners. Trade unions support the changes while employers oppose many of the amendments and complain that their comments have not been taken into account.
- 30 Nov 2005
Ireland: IBEC calls for abolition of Joint Labour Committees<#PDF_LINK>Joint Labour Committees (JLCs) - regulatory bodies setting minimum pay and conditions in a number of industries - are being reviewed during 2005, based on a commitment under Ireland's current national pact, Sustaining Progress. The Irish Business and Employers Confederation (IBEC) has demanded the abolition of JLCs, while the trade unions and dispute-resolution institutions insist that they should be retained.
- 30 Nov 2005
Denmark: Swedish case referred to ECJ has major importance for Danish model<#PDF_LINK>A Swedish case referred in 2005 to the European Court of Justice (ECJ), concerning a trade union boycott of a Latvian building company operating in Sweden, has raised questions about the right of unions to take industrial action against a foreign employer, in the context of EU rules on freedom of movement to provide services. The eventual ECJ ruling will have significant consequences for the Danish labour market model, which is based on collective bargaining, and the issue has been subject to much heated comment. The social partners and government state that the right to take industrial action is a cornerstone of the Danish system.
- 29 Nov 2005
Germany: Coalition agreement receives mixed reactions from employers and trade unions<#PDF_LINK>On 11 November 2005, the conservative CDU/CSU and the social democratic SPD reached a deal to form a new government in Germany. The coalition agreement includes an increase in the VAT rate from 16% to 19%, a range of austerity measures affecting the social security system - including raising the retirement age from 65 to 67 - and a relaxation of the statutory protection against dismissal. The agreement received a mixed response from employers’ organisations and trade unions. Whereas the employers’ side is concerned that the social security austerity measures do not go far enough, trade unions are particularly critical of the loosening of statutory dismissal protection. Both sides have criticised the plans to increase the rate of VAT.
- 29 Nov 2005
Austria: Renewed dispute over railworkers’ service regulations<#PDF_LINK>In the face of the continuing financial difficulties of Austrian Federal Railways (ÖBB), the government announced in November 2005 plans to alter the railworkers’ service regulations, which have partially been governed by collective agreement since 2004. The government’s aim is to relax the ÖBB employees’ current protection against dismissal in order to deal with perceived overstaffing. The Union of Railway Employees (GdE) has threatened strike action in protest against these plans.
- 29 Nov 2005
Belgium: New sectoral agreement signed for local government staff in Flanders<#PDF_LINK>In October 2005, a new sectoral agreement was concluded for the 140,000 local and provincial government employees in the Flemish part of Belgium. The three-year deal, which was not signed by the socialist CGSP/ACOD trade union, provides for increases in various allowances as well as amending a number of qualitative aspects of employment regulation and conditions.
- 29 Nov 2005
Finland: Growing support for decentralisation of bargaining<#PDF_LINK>In October 2005, the central employers’ organisation, Finnish Industries (EK), renewed its calls for a decentralisation of the Finnish wage bargaining system. Of the three trade union confederations, the Confederation of Unions for Academic Professionals in Finland (AKAVA) has largely backed such aspirations of EK in the past, while the Finnish Confederation of Salaried Employees (STTK) and the Central Organisation of Finnish Trade Unions (SAK) have been much less sympathetic. This time around, however, the response of STTK has been to consent to the key issue of cutting back on centrally agreed general pay increases in favour of workplace-level wage setting. However, this is on the condition that workers’ bargaining position at workplace level is first improved.
- 28 Nov 2005
United Kingdom: Government unveils new family-friendlyemployment legislation<#PDF_LINK>In October 2005, the UK government published its Work and Families Bill, which will enable ministers to introduce a range of new family-friendlyemployment rights. These include longer paid maternity leave, paid paternity leave for fathers if the mother returns to work before the end of her maternity leave period, and a new right for carers to request flexible working.
- 28 Nov 2005
EU Level: Summit debates globalisation adjustment fund <#PDF_LINK>An informal European Union summit was held in October 2005 in the UK to discuss a range of strategic issues. It was agreed that a proposal for the creation of a globalisation adjustment fund would be put forward, to equip workers to deal with the effects of globalisation. It was also agreed that proposals will be drawn up on dealing with illegal migration and using the benefits of legal migration. The meeting was preceded by an informal tripartite social summit so that the social partners could provide input into the ministerial summit.
- 28 Nov 2005
EU Level: UK Presidency stages equality conference <#PDF_LINK>An EU conference on gender equality, followed by a ministerial meeting on the same issue, was held in Birmingham, UK, in November 2005. Both events discussed the progress made so far towards achieving gender equality and debated how to move forward.
- 22 Nov 2005
Poland: Changes in labour market situation in Poland<#PDF_LINK>October saw the publication of a report entitled Employment in Poland in 2005, prepared by the Analysis and Forecasts Department of the Ministry of the Economy and Labour. The report puts the employment index in Poland at 13% below the average in the former EU15 countries and at 9% less than in the 10 new Member States. It analyses the state of employment and discusses opportunities for improvement and their risks.
- 22 Nov 2005
Latvia: Summer work programme for school students<#PDF_LINK>For the second year running, the State Employment Agency is organising summer jobs for school students. A pilot programme in 2004 created jobs for 3,100 students aged 15-18 years at 451 Latvian companies and state institutions. In 2005, the agency tripled the programme’s funding. There is a lot of interest in the programme from employers and students. The students gain an insight into industrial relations and employment contracts, learn to work regularly, and see a variety of workplaces. However, some employers complain that it can be difficult to establish formal a working relationship with the children, in terms of fulfilling the employment contract.
- 22 Nov 2005
Slovakia: Slight increase in part-time work<#PDF_LINK>Participation in part-time work in Slovakia has historically been low and, despite legislation creating favourable conditions for it, interest - from both employers and employees - continues to be low. Employers fear loss of control and employees fear lower incomes. Women make up most of the part-time workforce. However, recent legislative changes are expected to increase interest, especially among women, in part-time work.
- 22 Nov 2005
Estonia: Vocational education system in need of reform<#PDF_LINK>Prolonged under-financing has adversely affected both the quality and the reputation of vocational education in Estonia. Companies have continually expressed their concern about vocational education and, in September 2005, the Employers’ Confederation, ETTK, delivered an appeal from 16 business organisations to the Prime Minister and the Minister of Education and Research concerning its under-financing.
- 22 Nov 2005
Italy: Reform of the supplementary pension system<#PDF_LINK>In October 2005, the Italian cabinet failed to enact the long-awaited legislative bill implementing law 243/2004 on the reform of Italy’s second pension pillar, the end-of-service allowance. Parliament now has another 30 days to discuss and approve the bill. One of the main points for debate, which caused a split in the parliamentary majority and prevented the approval of the bill, concerns the levelling of all forms of pension funds, thereby cancelling the advantage provided for collectively agreed funds.
- 15 Nov 2005
Poland: Union protests at Budryk coal mine<#PDF_LINK>October 2005 saw renewed protests over wages by workers at the Budryk coal-mining company in Poland. The conflict between the trade unions and the Budryk board follows a similar dispute in 2004. Trade unions are split between supporters and opponents of the board’s proposals and on 25 October an agreement on a pay increase was signed by only some of the unions. It will enter into force only after endorsement by the remaining unions.
- 15 Nov 2005
Denmark: Unions must 'adjust or die' says leader<#PDF_LINK>In October 2005, Dennis Kristensen, the president of Denmark's FOA public employees' trade union and a member of the leadership of the LO union confederation, criticised LO’s debate and decision culture. LO's break from the Social Democratic Party in 2003 is not visible in its practical work, he claims, and if the unions want continuing influence, then change and innovation are urgent. Mr Kristensen's opponents claim that he is planning for FOA to leave LO and join the white-collar FTF confederation.
- 15 Nov 2005
Netherlands: Lower House rejects proposal for single mothers receiving benefits to work in care programmes<#PDF_LINK>In October 2005, State Secretary mister Van Hoof of Social Affairs proposed that single mothers with young children receiving benefits should find employment in an out-of-school-time care programme. He believes this should be done in return for receiving benefits, on top of which he will dish out a bonus. Shortly before this announcement, his colleagues, the Minister of Social Affairs and the Minister of Education, had said that schools will be obligated to offer out-of-school-time care programmes from 7.30 am to 6.30 pm should parents request such. While the Lower House does support the latter proposal, an overwhelming majority rejected the proposed obligation for single mothers receiving benefits to work in these care programmes.
- 10 Nov 2005
EU Countries: Industrial relations in agriculture<#PDF_LINK>The agriculture sector, which employs around 5% of the EU workforce (and a considerably higher proportion in the new Member States and candidate countries), is currently going through major structural changes, not least because of reform of the Common Agricultural Policy and the Union's recent eastward extension. This study examines industrial relations in agriculture in the EU, plus Bulgaria, Norway and Romania, looking at issues such as: employment and wages; sector-specific laws and regulations; the social partners; collective bargaining; other forms of social dialogue and consultation; and conflicts and disputes. It finds that industrial relations in the sector are distinctive, not least because of the high-level of self-employment and generally low proportion of employees.
- 09 Nov 2005
Romania: Education budget amended by the minister, teachers and trade union<#PDF_LINK>The allocation in the 2006 budget forecast of a mere 3.7 of the gross domestic product for the financing of education led to the resignation of the minister of education and to protests on the part of trade unions and teaching staff with the support of pupils and students. According to the latest declarations of trade unions in education a general strike for an indefinite period of time is set to start on 7 November.
- 09 Nov 2005
Hungary: Unprecedented union merger between LIGA and armed forces interest organizations<#PDF_LINK>The Democratic League of Independent Trade Unions (LIGA), one of the smaller union confederations, has recently announced that the Trade Union Association of Military and Police Employees, a union independent of confederations, would join LIGA.
- 07 Nov 2005
Sweden: Swedish LO and Latvian LBAS concludes cooperation agreement against social dumping<#PDF_LINK>13 October 2005 the Swedish Confederation of Trade Unions (LO) and the Free Trade Union Confederation of Latvia (LBAS) concluded a cooperation agreement aimed at fighting social dumping.
- 07 Nov 2005
Sweden: Volvo’s demand for a specific height for female work applicant is discrimination, the Swedish Labour Court rules<#PDF_LINK>21 September 2005 the Swedish Labour Court fined the automobile company Volvo Cars to pay damages to a female job applicant. The company was guilty of indirect discrimination as it rejected the applicant saying she was too short, according to the Court.
- 07 Nov 2005
Italy: Re-launch of the chemicals sector demanded by the trade unions<#PDF_LINK>In October 2005 the National Assembly of Rsu representatives and of the Italian sectoral trade unions representing the workers of the chemicals sector met in Mestre (Venice) to discuss and approve the industrial policy plan for the re-launch of chemistry in Italy, which will be presented to the government and the employers’ associations. New investments, fight against de-industrialization, initiatives in favour of a sustainable industry and recovery of wages’ purchasing power are the main novelties of the trade union platform.
- 07 Nov 2005
Slovakia: Rapid growth of real wages<#PDF_LINK>In 2005, after several years of variations in increase and decrease real wages in Slovakia significantly increased. According to the statistical data the average nominal monthly wage in the national economy increased by 8.2% in the first half of 2005. Simultaneously also the real wage increased by 5.6%. It is the highest increase in real wages in the last five years that was incurred by a relatively low inflation. And what is more important, the real wage increased in all branches of economy.
- 07 Nov 2005
Ireland: Unions defer talks on new pact in row over employment standards<#PDF_LINK>The Irish Congress of Trade Unions (ICTU) has deferred talks on a new national social partnership programme in order to secure specific commitments from the Government regarding employment standards and job displacement.
- 07 Nov 2005
Finland: New agreement signed in the property maintenance sector<#PDF_LINK>The social partners in the property maintenance sector agreed in October 2005 on a new collective agreement which is to replace two of their current agreements. More scope was given for workplace level bargaining and the shop steward system was extended to cover the whole country.
- 07 Nov 2005
Bulgaria: Negotiations over Economic and Social Development Pact<#PDF_LINK>In late October 2005, talks aimed at concluding a tripartite Economic and Social Development Pact were well underway in Bulgaria. The planned agreement, aimed at helping Bulgaria meet the requirements for joining the EU in 2007, would be the country's first such accord since it began its economic and political transition process.
- 07 Nov 2005
Poland: Objection of trade unions to further restructuring of Pątnów-Adamów-Konin Power Plant Group <#PDF_LINK>The Inter-Company Independent Self-Governing Trade Union of Energy Workers of the Pątnów-Adamów-Konin Power Plant Group has lodged their objection to further restructuring of the company as proposed by the Board. The unionists have appealed to the government who controls 50% of the company shares to take a good look at the detrimental malpracticemade by the Elektrim Group who owns nearly 42% of Pątnów-Adamów-Konin Power Plant
- 07 Nov 2005
Poland: Will the Constitutional Tribunal revise the regulations on miners’ pensions?<#PDF_LINK>The outgoing government has appealed to the Constitutional Tribunal to decide on the controversial part of the law on retirement and incapacity pensions granted by the Social Security Fund (Fundusz Ubezpieczeń Społecznych, FUS) concerning the miners’ pensions, which secures for the miners the right to retirement after 25 years of underground work independently of age. It is possible, however, that the new government - coming from the political opposition - will withdraw the above proposal.
- 07 Nov 2005
Germany: Debate on company-level alliances for jobs accompanies coalition talks<#PDF_LINK>In coalition talks following Germany's general election in September 2005, the CDU/CSU and SPD parties had not agreed on a reform of the collective bargaining system by early November. The former propose a statutory clarification of the favourability principlein bargaining, designed to facilitate the conclusion of company-level alliances for jobs. The conservative CDU and CSU are backed by employers’ associations, whereas the SPD and the trade unions strongly oppose any amendment of the Collective Bargaining Act.
- 07 Nov 2005
Spain: Hauliers' Strike<#PDF_LINK>After the failure of the negotiations with the ministries of Development, Labour, Economy and the Interior, on 16 October the lorry drivers started a strike called by the majority employers' organisation, the Spanish Goods Transport Confederation (Confederación Española de Transporte de Mercancías, CETM). The strike and the incidents caused concern about the delivery of supplies, but at the end of October an agreement favourable to the hauliers put an end to many months of bargaining and a few days of industrial action.
- 07 Nov 2005
Spain: Deadlock in the social dialogue on the labour market<#PDF_LINK>After eight months of negotiations, the employers' associations and trade unions have failed to reach an agreement on the reform of the labour market. The Ministry of Labour has therefore presented a proposal.
- 07 Nov 2005
EU Level: Commission issues draft Directive on the portability of supplementary pensions<#PDF_LINK>In October 2005, the European Commission issued a proposal for a Directive on the portability of supplementary pension rights. The aim of this is to increase the labour mobility and career development of European workers. The proposal covers issues such as the acquisition of supplementary pension rights, the preservation of dormant rights and the transferability of rights.
- 07 Nov 2005
EU Level: Commission employment report reviews active labour market policies<#PDF_LINK>In October 2005, the European Commission published its annual employment report, which reviews recent developments in the labour markets of the enlarged EU, concentrating in particular on the results of active labour market policies.
- 07 Nov 2005
EU Level: Allianz to become European Company <#PDF_LINK>In September 2005, the German insurance group Allianz announced that it would merge with its Italian subsidiary RAS and create a European Company under the 2001 European Company Statute. Negotiations with employee representatives will set up employee involvement provisions in the new company, which will be covered by German national implementing legislation.
- 07 Nov 2005
Italy: Reorganisation of the Cornigliano Ilva steel plant<#PDF_LINK>October 2005 will see the start of the reorganisation of the Ilva steel plant located in Cornigliano (Genoa) as established by the agreement signed between the Government, the Liguria regione, the trade unions and the Riva Industrial Group.
- 07 Nov 2005
Italy: Arts, entertainment and cultural sector workers go on strike<#PDF_LINK>In October 2005 the workers of the Italian arts, entertainment and cultural sector went on strike and demonstrated in several Italian cities their dissent against the considerable cuts to the Performing Arts Funds envisaged by the 2006 budget law.
- 07 Nov 2005
Austria: Women greatly under-represented in top-level business positions<#PDF_LINK>A Chamber of Labour study, conducted in September 2005, finds that women holding top-level positions are rare in Austrian companies listed on the Vienna stock exchange. Organised labour is thus demanding an amendment to the Corporate Governance Code as well as appropriate legal initiatives in order to increase substantially the proportion of women on companies’ management and supervisory boards.
- 07 Nov 2005
United Kingdom: Government and unions agree public sector pensions framework<#PDF_LINK>In October 2005, the government and public sector trade unions agreed a framework for the reform of pension schemes in the health sector, education and civil service.
- 07 Nov 2005
France: Social partners sign agreement changing criteria for use of temporary workers<#PDF_LINK>In September 2005, the Association of Temporary Work Agencies and three trade unions signed an agreement setting out two new cases in which temporary workers may be employed.
- 07 Nov 2005
Lithuania: Trade unions threaten to start mass protest actions<#PDF_LINK>On 24 October 2005, the Lithuanian Trade Union Confederation furnished a petition to the Government of the Republic of Lithuania concerning the principles and mechanisms for increase of social benefits and wages. In case the Government neglects the submitted demands and proposal to negotiate, the Confederation threatens starting preparation for mass protest actions.
- 07 Nov 2005
Netherlands: Major employer organisations forge an alliance<#PDF_LINK>Two of the most significant Dutch employers’ organisations, VNO-NCW and MKB-Nederland have forged an alliance. The move was mainly prompted by overlapping interests, dual membership and efficiency gains. Following the drive to achieve a good position in recent years and putting paid to mutual differences, the new scenario is one of unity. The trade unions have yet to respond with anything but reticence.
- 07 Nov 2005
Greece: Accidents at Work in Greece in the 2000-2005 Period<#PDF_LINK>In late September 2005, the Corps of Labor Inspectors (SEPE) published a series of statistical data on accidents at work in Greece during the period between 2000 and 2005.
- 02 Nov 2005
Sweden: Commission proposes controversial parental leave changes<#PDF_LINK>In September 2005, a government-appointed commission proposed that Sweden's statutory parental leave period should be increased to 15 months, divided into five months for the mother, five months for the father and five months to be shared between the two. The proposal has met with considerable opposition, including from some employers and trade unions, and it is currently unclear if the government will propose legislation to implement the plan.
- 02 Nov 2005
Slovenia: New public sector pay law makes collective agreements compulsory<#PDF_LINK>A new law on the pay system in the public sector came into force in Slovenia in July 2005. Several provisions of the law require implementation through collective agreements, thus having the effect of making collective agreements compulsory in the public sector. Experts argue that the new law (along with similar private sector provisions) does not comply with the principle of free collective bargaining, as set out in the European Social Charter (Revised) and International Labour Organisation Convention No. 154.
- 02 Nov 2005
Slovenia: Debate continues over future of compulsory-membership employers’ organisations<#PDF_LINK>In summer 2005, the Slovenian social partners were consulted on proposals for a new Law on Collective Agreements (LCA) and a new Law on Chambers of Commerce and Industry (LCCI). The former would allow employers’ associations with compulsory membership to continue to conclude collective agreements for a transitional period of three years. The aim is that the voluntary-membership Slovenian Employers' Association (ZDS) should become strong enough during this transitional period to perform fully its role as an organisation representing employers’ interests in industrial relations, and thus replace completely in this sphere the compulsory-membership Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Slovenia (GZS). However, the draft LCCI appears to make a three-year transitional period impossible. Trade unions fear that, as a result, they will not have collective bargaining partners in future.
- 02 Nov 2005
Slovakia: Lack of social dialogue on employment of people with disabilities<#PDF_LINK>New legislation on employment services adopted in 2004 in Slovakia enables the implementation of new active labour market policy measures, including special initiatives aimed at improving the employment of people with disabilities. Information from the Centre of Labour, Social Affairs and Family indicates that some progress has been achieved in this sphere by autumn 2005, but that there has been no dramatic improvement in the situation. Furthermore, expectations that social dialogue and collective bargaining might help to improve the employment position of people with disabilities have not yet been fulfilled.
- 02 Nov 2005
Greece: OKE examines European Company Statute<#PDF_LINK>In September 2005, Greece's tripartite Economic and Social Council (OKE) issued its opinion on a draft government bill seeking to adjust Greek law to the requirements of the 2001 EU Regulation on the European Company Statute. The OKE opinion not only examines the articles of the draft bill, but also includes an overall evaluation of the institutional framework created by the EU Regulation. Workers' representatives on the OKE expressed concerns, which were not unanimously approved by the Council, about the possible effects of the operation of the European Company on industrial relations.