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January 2006

• 31 Jan 2006
  Denmark: ECHR rules against Danish closed-shop agreements

  It is a violation of the European Convention on Human Rights for a person to be compelled to be a member of a specific trade union in order to be employed in a Danish enterprise. This was the landmark ruling delivered by the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) on 11 January 2006 in a case concerning closed-shop agreements that had been brought by two employees against the Danish government. Danish trade unions have taken note of the judgment and will no longer enforce the contested closed-shop clauses, while the government will legislate to bring the law into line with the ruling.

• 31 Jan 2006
  Italy: Dispute over 1,000 white-collar redundancies at Fiat

  Late 2005 and early 2006 has seen conflict and negotiations over how 1,000 surplus white-collar staff are to be made redundant at Fiat, the Italian motor manufacturing group. Fiat management and trade union have asked for the workers, mostly aged over 50, to be placed on a long mobilityscheme, providing income support until they reach retirement age, while the government has proposed a special programme of labour market reintegration.

• 31 Jan 2006
  EU Countries: Les relations professionnelles dans le secteur de l’agriculture

  Le secteur de l'agriculture, qui emploie environ 5 % de la main-d’œuvre de l’Union européenne (et un pourcentage nettement plus élevé dans les nouveaux États membres et les pays candidats), connaît actuellement d’importantes modifications structurelles, notamment en raison de la réforme de la politique agricole commune et du récent élargissement de l’Union vers l’est. La présente étude examine les relations professionnelles dans le secteur agricole de l’Union européenne (plus la Bulgarie, la Norvège et la Roumanie) et, plus particulièrement, en ce qui concerne l’emploi et les salaires, les lois et règlements sectoriels, les partenaires sociaux, les négociations collectives, les autres formes de dialogue social et de consultation, les conflits et les litiges. On y relève que les relations professionnelles dans ce secteur sont particulières, notamment en raison du niveau élevé d’activité indépendante et, généralement, de la faible proportion de salariés.

• 30 Jan 2006
  Slovenia: Unions protest against government's reform programme

  On 26 November 2005, trade unions jointly organised the largest demonstrations since Slovenia independence, in opposition to the government’s reform programme. The core and most controversial part of the programme is the introduction of a flat tax rate, which the trade unions and many other NGOs totally reject. Unions also argue that talks over a new tripartite social agreement for 2006-9 are pointless if the government persists with the introduction of the flat tax rate.

• 30 Jan 2006
  Sweden: Power station collective agreement reached following strike

  In December 2005, the social partners in the Swedish power station industry concluded a new collective agreement, following lengthy negotiations, mediation, and strike and sympathy actions. They key issue in dispute was the right of the Swedish Electricians’ Union (SEF) to take industrial action against new firms entering the industry.

• 30 Jan 2006
  Romania: New rules adopted on unemployment benefits and employment promotion

  In late 2005, the Romanian government introduced new rules aimed at granting unemployment benefits in a more equitable manner, depending on the length of the contribution period, and at enhancing employment promotion measures.

• 30 Jan 2006
  Spain: Controversial workforce-reduction agreement signed at SEAT

  Following lengthy negotiations and workforce mobilisations, in December 2005 Spain's SEAT motor company signed an agreement with the UGT and CC.OO trade unions that aims to tackle current problems at the firm though various measures, including the redundancy of 660 workers out of a workforce of some 13,000. The signatories see the deal as a comprise to avoid greater evils. However, the agreement has proved controversial.

• 26 Jan 2006
  Spain: Industrial relations in the specialised retail sector

  Specialised retail outlets represent a highly diverse and feminised sector characterised by low pay and unsocial working hours. Although the sector employs a large number of workers, they are poorly represented by collective bargaining and trade union representation is very low.

• 26 Jan 2006
  Netherlands: Positive response to proposed Services Directive

  The proposed Services Directive has caused a stir in several European countries. European trade unions, especially in France, have made sure that the European Parliament drastically amends the Services Directive by the end of 2005. The main argument against the Services Directive is that it will lead to social dumping. In the Netherlands, however, the response to the proposed Services Directive has been generally positive. The unions and Dutch government alike are committed to the recommendation put forward by the Social and Economic Council (Sociaal Economische Raad, SER).

• 26 Jan 2006
  Slovakia: Social partners push for changes in sickness insurance

  Since 2004, employers must pay wage compensation to employees for the first 10 calendar days of their temporary sickness absence. The government has proposed further changes to employees’ sickness insurance with the aim of decreasing the compulsory contributions of employers. The intended changes mean that employers will pay less social insurance but will have to pay wage compensation for up to 14 days. However, the social partners have criticised and rejected the intended changes; as a result, the government has revised the original proposal for changes.

• 26 Jan 2006
  France: Assessment of health insurance system post-reform

  In late November 2005, the French Parliament passed the 2006 Social Security Finance Act (Loi de financement de la Sécurité), which is a component of the August 2004 Health Insurance Reform Act. The legislation is designed to end the deficit in the social security system by 2008.

• 26 Jan 2006
  France: New initiatives for company restructuring

  The creation of a new inter-departmental body in October 2005 was the second of two recent initiatives aimed at providing a framework for company restructuring in France. The first initiative involved the endorsement by the Economic and Social Council of its recommendations on the outsourcing of work. The primary motivation behind these initiatives is to emphasise the need for ensuring better monitoring of restructuring, while mitigating its negative economic and social consequences.

• 26 Jan 2006
  Belgium: Wages restraint and innovation key to boost economy

  Two influential bodies responsible for monitoring the Belgian economy and for advising on economic policy - the Central Economic Council (de Centrale Raad voor het Bedrijfsleven) and the National Bank - have recently expressed their dissatisfaction with the competitiveness of the Belgian economy. As a result, they have called for, among other measures, a reinforced policy of wage restraint and a greater focus on innovation. In the latter policy area, from 2006 onwards, there will be a new tax benefit for companies which reward employees who come up with innovative ideas.

• 26 Jan 2006
  Czech Republic: Migration of Czech workers poses risk of brain drain

  In recent years, research in the Czech Republic has focused on the potential impact of the country’s entry into the EU on the migration of highly qualified Czech workers to foreign countries. While foreign migration of qualified Czech labour may, on the one hand, help increase the competitiveness of the Czech economy, there are concerns that it could destabilise certain economic sectors.

• 26 Jan 2006
  Poland: State retains control over 15 privatised companies

  The Polish Ministry of the State Treasury’s aspirations with respect to retaining some control over privatised enterprises are about to go through the final stage of legislation. The Ministry has published a draft regulation concerning a list of companies of key importance to the public interest or security. In essence, the regulation will identify 15 companies where the government would hold a gold veto. This is not the first time that State Treasury prerogatives in relation to companies being sold to private investors are being defined.

• 26 Jan 2006
  Poland: Role of Crafts Association in shaping industrial relations

  The Polish Crafts Association is a national organisation, in existence since 1933. It has a dual structure, which is based on the 1989 Crafts Act. The association amalgamates chambers of crafts and commerce, which are self-governed, and also carries out the tasks of an employer confederation, as defined by the Employers’ Organisations Act of May 1991. Moreover, it unites those entities that are not self-governing. This dual character is particularly reflected in the association’s industrial relations.

• 26 Jan 2006
  Latvia: Unions call for renewed social dialogue

  The practice of social dialogue has fallen off in Latvia recently, following the break-down of discussions between the government and the social partners on critical socio-economic issues. Following an initiative from the social partners, a trilateral agreement had been concluded which explicitly defined the rights of the parties and extended the field of influence for social dialogue. However, this did not improve the situation. Despite these failures, the Free Trade Union Confederation of Latvia continues to press the government on the issue of renewing the operations of the social dialogue institutions.

• 26 Jan 2006
  Latvia: Emigration of Latvian workers continues to increase

  Since Latvia’s accession to the European Union, Latvian businesses and workers have been making use of the provisions of the four freedoms, i.e. free movement of goods, services, persons and capital within the EU. This has had both positive and negative effects. While Latvian workers have proved to be competitive in the labour markets of other European countries, this has raised concerns among local trade unions. Meanwhile, Latvian employers are starting to witness labour force deficits due to the increasing levels of emigration.

• 26 Jan 2006
  Bulgaria: Social dialogue develops in healthcare sector

  Compared with many other sectors in Bulgaria, social dialogue and collective bargaining in healthcare is relatively well developed at all levels. There is, for example, a Sectoral Council for Tripartite Cooperation in Healthcare, which negotiates collective agreements and acts as a forum for cooperation. In early 2006, new collective agreements are being negotiated at sectoral and municipal levels, against a background of continuing healthcare reform.

• 26 Jan 2006
  Latvia: Police trade union established

  Following amendments to the relevant legislation, it became legal for Latvian police officers to establish and join trade unions from 1 January 2006. The Latvian United Police Trade Union (LAPA), which had been under preparation for some time, was officially founded a few days later. The impetus to create the union was provided largely by a long-running dispute over the benefits to which police officers are entitled .

• 26 Jan 2006
  Poland: Good results at KGHM prompt pay demands

  The recent good financial performance of KGHM, a major Polish copper producer, has prompted employees to seek a share of the increased profits. In December 2005, the Copper Industry Workers Trade Union (ZZPPM) initiated a collective dispute, calling for a 10% general pay increase and the reallocation of a third of the workforce to higher pay brackets.

• 25 Jan 2006
  United Kingdom: Employers' responses to employee consultation Regulations examined

  Research published in late 2005 suggests that UK employers are responding more actively to the introduction of the Information and Consultation of Employees Regulations than previously thought.

• 25 Jan 2006
  France: Results of workplace elections in state education sector

  In December 2005, teaching staff in French state primary and secondary schools elected their representatives on various national and local consultative bodies. The Unitary Union Federation (FSU) remained the best supported trade union overall, with nearly 47% of the vote. Turn-out fell to 61.4% from 65.9% in the previous elections in 2002

• 25 Jan 2006
  EU Level: Austrian and Finnish Presidencies set out social policy priorities

  In late December 2005, the Austrian and Finnish governments issued a joint document listing their policy priorities for their EU Presidencies in the first and second halves of 2006 respectively. In the area of employment and social policy, specific measures include progressing the revision of the working time Directive, possible work on the draft temporary agency work Directive and a continuing focus on the Lisbon strategy for growth and jobs.

• 25 Jan 2006
  EU Level: Commission launches measures to help inclusion of people with disabilities

  In early December 2005, the European Day of Disabled People was marked by an EU conference on Living together in society. The European Commission used this opportunity to put forward concrete measures designed to improve the lives of people with disabilities in the EU and to present a new Communication on the situation of disabled people in the enlarged Union.

• 25 Jan 2006
  EU Level: Commission issues policy plan on legal migration 

  In December 2005, the European Commission issued a new policy plan on legal migration to the EU. The plan sets out the Commission’s future policy intentions on this issue in the areas of legislative proposals, non-legislative tools, the integration of immigrants and enhanced cooperation with countries of origin.

• 25 Jan 2006
  EU Level: Worldwide CSR agreement signed at Arcelor

  In September 2005, the Luxembourg-based steel multinational, Arcelor, concluded a worldwide agreement on corporate social responsibility (CSR) with international trade union organisations. The agreement - the first such accord in the steel sector - covers fundamental social rights, health and safety, the environment, social dialogue, communication and the management of industrial and economic change.

• 25 Jan 2006
  Estonia: Social partners sign minimum wage agreement for 2006

  At the end of December 2005, the Estonian social partners signed a national minimum wage agreement for 2006, which will result in an increase of 11.5%. The first attempts to start negotiations were made by trade unions in May, but employers froze the talks several times on various grounds.

• 25 Jan 2006
  Finland: Finland’s largest union begins operations

  A merger process involving six public sector trade unions affiliated to the SAK confederation came to a close in January 2006 when the new Trade Union for the Public and Welfare Sectors (JHL) became fully functional. JHL is now Finland's largest union, with over 230,000 members. Its foundation was largely a reaction to the outsourcing of public sector jobs to the private sector. JHL represents workers in both these sectors and hopes that this will help it control the privatisation process.

• 25 Jan 2006
  Austria: Union opposes privatisation of postal services

  In January 2006, the Austrian government agreed to sell off 49% of the state’s shares in the Austrian Post Company by summer 2006. These privatisation plans have met with harsh criticism from the Union of Post and Telecommunications Employees (GPF) and the parliamentary opposition. They argue that the company is not ready for privatisation and fear further large-scale staff cuts as well as a dilution of postal services across the country. However, protest actions organised by GPF appear unlikely to delay the privatisation process.

• 25 Jan 2006
  Hungary: New conflict of lawsrules introduced

  Hungary officially harmonised its law with the Rome Convention with respect to individual employment contracts in 2001. However, the wording of the Hungarian rules on which law applies where both the employer and the employee are Hungarian but the habitual place of work is another country has led to some controversy and debatable rulings by the courts. New legislation that came into force on 1 January 2006 aims to remedy this problem.

• 11 Jan 2006
  Poland: Entrepreneurship Council Looking to Position the Employers’ Lobby in the Post-Election Political Landscape

  From its inception in 2002, Poland's Entrepreneurship Council has been seeking the formulation of a cohesive political agenda for its 11 member employers' organisations. After the autumn 2005 general election and the installation of a minority Law and Justice (PiS) cabinet, the Entrepreneurship Council's leaders are faced with the task of redefining the role of employers on Poland’s political scene.

• 11 Jan 2006
  France: 46-day strike at Marseilles Transport Authority

  After 46 days of industrial action, Marseilles transport authority employees voted to suspend the strike that had started on 3 October 2005, and was called to protest against the contracting out of public services to a private company. Throughout this tense struggle, the management of the Marseilles Transport Authority supported by Marseilles city council, did not want to yield any ground, and made a number of attempts to thwart the strike.

• 11 Jan 2006
  Germany: Federal Labour Court strengthens employers’ commitment to collective agreements

  In December 2005, the Federal Labour Court ruled that employers are obliged to pay wage increases even if they left the employers’ association before the collective agreement in question was finalised. This rule applies to all individual employment contracts that, for their working conditions and wage rates, rely on those in the most recently agreed collective standards provided that the individual employment contract was concluded after 1 January 2002.

• 11 Jan 2006
  Poland: Trade Unions Contribute to Removal of LOT Chair

  A conflict between trade unions and the chair of LOT Polish Airlines, which had been escalating for months, culminated in December 2005 with the dismissal of the latter.

• 11 Jan 2006
  Poland: Miners' pensions controversy affects Polish Confederation of Private Employers

  In December 2005, the Polish Confederation of Private Employers Lewiatan (PKPP Lewiatan) asked the Constitutional Tribunal to examine whether recent legislation on pensions for miners is constitutional - a move criticised by all the mining trade unions. The National Copper Ore Mining Section of NSZZ Solidarność, representing employees of the KGHM mining company, adopted an unusual form of protest; it called on KGHM’s directors to discontinue contributions to PKPP Lewiatan.

• 11 Jan 2006
  Poland: Future of Dolna Odra power complex is uncertain

  The forthcoming privatisation of Poland's Dolna Odra power complex (ZEDO) is encountering obstacles in late 2005. The ZEDO complex is due to be acquired by the Spanish Endesa group. However, the trade unions at ZEDO have expressed their reservations about privatisation. It seems that the deal will be done only if an agreement is reached between the investor and the unions concerning a social packagefor the employees .

• 11 Jan 2006
  Estonia: A wage agreement signed between the government and TALO

  At the very end of 2005, the government and the TALO trade union confederation finally managed to conclude a wage agreement for employees with higher education working in the public sector for 2006. It concerns rises in overall wage funds and wage conditions in domains of different ministries. The parties handle these minimum wage provisions as a collective agreement.

• 11 Jan 2006
  Slovakia: Trade unions strive for changes in the Labour Code

  Trade unions have evaluated the practical implementation of the amended Labour Code and its impact upon the employment conditions of the employees. Representatives of trade unions informed the professional public about the results of their analyses at the end of November 2005. They specified several provisions of the Labour Code, which they consider problematic and disadvantageous for the employees and the changes of which they will request.

• 11 Jan 2006
  Italy: Cgil, Cisl and Uil united against proposed EU BolkesteinDirective

  In December 2005, representatives of Italy’s three main trade union confederations, Cgil, Cisl and Uil met to discuss how to respond to some of the proposals in the draft EU Directive on services in the internal market (the BolkesteinDirective), which they consider detrimental to workers’ rights and to the European social model. The three confederations expressed their full support for a major demonstration called for February 2006 by the European Trade Union Confederation.

• 11 Jan 2006
  Italy: The social partners signed a Manifesto for the development of Italy’s Mezzogiorno

  On 17 December 2005 the Italian social partners and the regional institutions met in Reggio Calabria and signed a Manifesto for the development of Italy’s Mezzogiorno to fight the decline of the country’s economy by re-launching the development of Southern regions. The document contains proposals and common commitments on several issues: companies and labour; development of the infrastructures; urban re-qualification; enhancement and strengthening of the educational structures; valorisation of tourist sites and re-launch of tourism.

• 11 Jan 2006
  Austria: Supreme Court of Justice judges bank’s agreement hoppingas lawful

  In a decision of December 2005, the Supreme Court of Justice (OGH) ruled that a move of Austria’s BA-CA bank corporation from the savings banks employers’ association to the commercial banks association was lawful. The main aim of this move was to change over from the savings banks collective agreement to the - from the bank’s point of view - cheaper commercial banks agreement. The union side expressed its disappointment over this decision and warns of copying such practices of agreement hoppingby other employers.

• 11 Jan 2006
  Finland: Rulings issued in bargaining disputes at Are and Uponor

  Two Finnish companies, Are and Uponor, attempted in early 2005 to start applying different sectoral collective agreements by changing their employers’ organisation affiliation. These initiatives were contested and referred by unions to the Labour Court, which issued its rulings in October and November 2005. Uponor was allowed by the Court to change agreements while Are was not. Both cases were finally decided by establishing which agreement first bound the employer. Neither the company's sector of production nor the level of trade union representation were seen as reasons to uphold the old agreements, as had been hoped by unions.

• 11 Jan 2006
  Hungary: Wage agreements in the public sector for 2006

  Following the central wage agreement for 2006 in December, a series of agreements have been concluded on public employees’ salaries.

• 11 Jan 2006
  Hungary: Sectoral collective agreement signed in the construction industry

  Three employers’ associations and two trade union federations in the industry signed the sectoral collective agreement on 16 November 2005. The agreement, which includes a wage tariff system as well, will come into force when the Minister of Employment and Labour promulgates his decision on extension.

• 11 Jan 2006
  Sweden: Commission proposes right to full time employment

  A Government Commissioner handed over a proposal for new Swedish legislation concerning the right to full-time employment, valid for the whole labour market, 30 November 2005.

• 11 Jan 2006
  Norway: New agreement for an inclusive working life

  In December 2005 the social partner organisations and national authorities in Norway signed a new agreement for an inclusive working life. As such the efforts to reduce sickness absence will continue. At the same time greater efforts will be made to make older people stay longer in employment, and improve the labour market situation of immigrants and other vulnerable groups.

• 11 Jan 2006
  Hungary: New governmental guideline on bogus contracts

  The Minister of Employment and Labour and the Minister of Finance jointly issued a new guideline on the qualification of contracts for work performance

• 11 Jan 2006
  Malta: Denim announced the closure of its operations in Malta

  The Denim Services Group of Companies announced it was closing its Maltese factories and laying off about 850 employees. The General Workers’ Union showed its concern that there are other manufacturing enterprises which will soon be facing similar problems.

• 11 Jan 2006
  EU Level: New EU industrial relations dictionary

  At the end of November 2005, the European Foundation for the Improvement of Living and Working Conditions launched a new European industrial relations dictionary, which aims to provide a clear insight into the workings of industrial relations at European level.

• 11 Jan 2006
  Spain: Strike in the private health sector in Madrid due to collective bargaining disagreement

  Workers of the private health sector of the Community of Madrid went on a three-day strike in mid-December to demand equal pay and working time to those of public health workers, following a disagreement in the collective bargaining between the trade unions and the employers' associations of the sector.

• 11 Jan 2006
  Spain: Workforce reduction plan agreed at Seat

  In December 2005, the UGT and CC.OO trade unions reached a controversial agreement with the Seat car company on a workforce adjustment plan involving 660 redundancies in Spain, in the framework of a transnational reorganisation of the Volkswagen group.

• 11 Jan 2006
  Denmark: Lidl signs new collective agreement in Denmark

  Lidl, the German discount supermarket chain with more than 6,000 stores in a number of European countries, concluded a collective agreement with Denmark's United Federation of Workers (3F) in January 2006. Lidl had already signed agreements with the HK/Commerce union in November 2004.

• 10 Jan 2006
  Austria: Government plans to abolish permanent tenure for civil servants

  In December 2005, Austria's conservative-populist government announced plans to abolish the permanent tenure of appointment that applies to public employees, and thus their absolute protection against dismissal. The proposals would establish in the civil service a single category of public employee, employed on a private-law basis with uniform service regulations. A draft bill on the issue should be presented early in 2006. Trade unions are strongly opposed, raising questions about the quality of public services and the constitutionality of uniform service regulations, as well as expressing concern about the future independence from political interference of civil servants, especially judges.

• 10 Jan 2006
  Hungary: Three-year central agreement reached on minimum wage rises and pay policy guidelines

  In late November 2005, the Hungarian social partners and government agreed on new minimum wage rates, the gradual introduction of a three-tier minimum wage system, and recommendations to lower-level negotiators on annual wage increases. The agreement includes not only increases and recommendations for 2006 but also a medium-term plan for minimum wage increases and pay policy guidelines over 2006-8.

• 10 Jan 2006
  Norway: Nordic trade unions' international activities examined

  A report published in Norway in 2005 finds significant variations in the international work carried out by Nordic trade unions. Most unions do engage in international activity - and report increased time spent on such activities - but only a minority of unions engage in large-scale efforts, measured in time dedicated or the number of issues covered. International trade union organisations at the Nordic and European levels play an important role in the international activities of Nordic trade unions.

• 10 Jan 2006
  United Kingdom: Academics vote in favour of new university and college union

  In December 2005 it was announced that a ballot of the members of the further and higher education unions NATFHE and AUT had resulted in the approval of the planned merger between the two organisations to create the University and College Union.

• 10 Jan 2006
  EU Level: 2006 is European Year of workers’ mobility

  2006 has been designated as European Year of workers’ mobility as part of a drive to encourage employment mobility within the EU. The European Commission launched, in December 2005, a website containing all relevant information on mobility and EU mobility events and actions over the coming year.

• 06 Jan 2006
  Slovenia: Rail workers’ trade unions divided over restructuring

  In 2005, the Slovenian government has been considering a further restructuring of the Slovenian Railways Holding Company (HSZ). At present, there are three rail companies, dealing with infrastructure, passenger transport and freight transport respectively, with the latter two undergoing partial privatisation. Railway workers' trade unions are split over the issue - apparently reflecting the diverging interests of their members - with some favouring the current situation and others calling for a return to a single unified rail company.

• 06 Jan 2006
  Slovenia: Strikes held on railways

  In November 2005, several short strikes were organised by the Railway Traffic Union of Slovenia (SZPS) and some smaller rail trade unions. The strikes appeared to relate both to current plans to restructure the Slovenian Railways Holding Company and to demands for better working conditions. The majority of rail unions opposed the strikes.

• 05 Jan 2006
  Latvia: Trade unions seek to boost membership

  Trade union density in Latvia is only around 15.5% and unions have severe problems in organising in a number of sectors. However, during 2005, unions have made renewed efforts to increase their membership, publicise their activities, put forward demands and expand to new areas, assisted in some respects by financing from EU funds.

• 05 Jan 2006
  Netherlands: Calls for reinstatement of public maternity benefits for self-employed

  In late 2005, the Dutch Trade Union Federation (FNV) and the Dutch Federation of Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises (MKB-Nederland) called for the reinstatement of a public maternity benefit scheme for self-employed people. The scheme was abolished in 2004, with the idea being that it could be replaced by private insurance arrangements. However, in practice insurers have reportedly declined many applications and self-employed people have been deterred by high premiums. At the request of parliament, the government has also consulted the International Labour Organisation (ILO) and the Dutch Equal Treatment Commission about whether it was entitled under international and EU law to abolish the maternity benefits.

• 04 Jan 2006
  Spain: Fatal accident reignites debate over safety in construction

  A serious accident in November 2005, resulting in the death of six workers involved in the construction of a motorway in Andalusia, has led to a major debate on the relationship between occupational risk prevention and employment conditions in the Spanish construction sector. Trade unions called a protest work stoppage and have linked the high industrial accident rate in construction to the sector's high levels of subcontracting, temporary employment and overtime working.

• 04 Jan 2006
  France: Draft agreement reached on promoting employment of older workers

  Negotiations among the French social partners on promoting employment for older workers opened in February 2005 and resulted in a draft national intersectoral agreement in October. Measures agreed include a new form of fixed-term contract for workers over the age of 57. However, the trade unions have reservations, especially as linked negotiations on retirement for workers with arduous working conditions and on unemployment insurance are still under way, while the government is preparing a plan for the employment of older workers.

• 04 Jan 2006
  Poland: Enterprise-level social dialogue in 2005 assessed

  Based on recent research, this article examines social dialogue at the level of individual enterprises in Poland, as of 2005. It finds that issues such as trade union presence and employee representation depend strongly on company size, sector of activity and form of ownership (ie public or private). In general, trade unions face a very difficult situation in the private sector (especially in services) and among smaller enterprises.

• 04 Jan 2006
  Italy: New collective agreement reached for telecommunications sector

  In December 2005, trade unions and employers in the Italian telecommunications sector signed a draft collective agreement for the 2005-8 period. The industry's 120,000 workers will now be asked to approve the new agreement in workplace assemblies. The deal introduces numerous changes, notably an extension of its coverage to include call-centre companies and the introduction of new rules on subcontracting and outsourcing. Both sides have expressed their satisfaction with the draft agreement, although worries have been voiced concerning the issue of market regulation and the role of the Guarantee Authority for Telecommunications.