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October 2006

• 30 Oct 2006
  United Kingdom: New act gives extended rights to parental leave

  The Work and Families Act became law in June 2006. Among its key provisions are longer paid maternity leave, additional 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 time arrangements. Implementation of the act will be on a phased basis. The legislation has been received largely positively by the social partners.

• 30 Oct 2006
  Portugal: Controversy over renewal of temporary agency work law

  The legal framework regulating temporary agency work is due to be revised, just seven years after the last amendments. In July 2006, the ruling Socialist Party presented a draft bill regarding the new framework for temporary agency work. In response, the two trade union confederations have expressed their concerns about some of the measures in the bill, which in their opinion clearly undermine the protection of workers. The employers regard the changes as a positive step, but do not approve of the licensing requirements for temporary work agencies. In September, the debate on the draft bill began in parliament; the social partners expected to be called to the Parliamentary Committee on Labour and Social Affairs, where discussion on the draft bill would continue.

• 30 Oct 2006
  Portugal: Conflict over terms of closure of Opel plant

  In recent months, there has been widespread opposition to the decision of General Motors (GM) Europe to close its Opel Azambuja plant on the outskirts of Lisbon and to transfer production abroad. The closure, which is planned for December 2006, will directly affect some 1,200 workers. Negotiations following the announcement broke down between the European Employee Forum (EEF) and GM Europe, and Opel Azambuja workers responded by taking strike action. However, in September, the workers decided to end the strike on foot of a decision by EEF to permit the Opel Azambuja Workers’ Committee to negotiate directly with GM Europe.

• 30 Oct 2006
  Norway: New industry and energy union formed within LO

  In September 2006, the union for chemical industry workers and the union for oil and petrochemical industry workers merged to form a new union, Industry–Energy. The latter is now the fifth largest member union of the Norwegian confederation LO and has around 46,000 members.

• 30 Oct 2006
  Malta: Union dispute in the wake of ports restructuring

  A series of events following the restructuring of the ports reopened a rift among members of the General Workers’ Union (GWU), with profound repercussions for the union. During the summer of 2006, GWU lost its bid to handle all cargo in Maltese ports, representing a significant loss of revenue. Meanwhile, port workers in the union expressed concerns about the policy being adopted by the union administration in relation to the port’s restructuring. After numerous resignations from GWU, a new union was formed.

• 30 Oct 2006
  Ireland: Dispute resolution at ferry company curtails union influence

  Irish Ferries has largely succeeded in limiting the trade union influence in its operations just nine months after the end of a major dispute that had a significant impact on the outcome of Ireland’s new national social partnership agreement, Towards 2016.

• 30 Oct 2006
  France: National action plan targets employment of older workers

  At the beginning of June 2006, the French prime minister presented a national action plan to promote the employment of older workers. This plan completes a national intersectoral agreement established in October 2005 and aims to improve employment opportunities and conditions for older workers. The social partners have reacted positively to the content of the action plan.

• 30 Oct 2006
  Finland: Restructuring dispute at Finnair

  The Finnish national carrier, Finnair, has released its plan to begin offering new flight attendants about 30% less pay than that of older workers doing the same jobs. The Finnish Cabin Crew Union (SLSY) opposes the plan and has asked for the support of the Transport Workers’ Union (AKT) in opposing the airline’s plan. SLSY and AKT have thus started negotiations towards a possible merger.

• 30 Oct 2006
  EU Level: European Commission sets out new cohesion policy

  In an attempt to support the European Employment Strategy, the European Commission has set out clear funding guidelines for the 2007–2013 cohesion programme. These guidelines specify the parameters within which Member States should work when drawing up and submitting their National Strategic Reference Frameworks.

• 30 Oct 2006
  Denmark: Shift in power balance among trade union confederations

  Danish trade unions have started to experience decreased levels of representation coverage, after enjoying increasing membership rates until the mid 1990s. However, the declining membership has primarily affected unions belonging to the Danish Confederation of Trade Unions, which mainly represents blue-collar and white-collar workers. Unions representing professionals and clerical workers – as well as independent trade unions – report increased membership and density. If this trend continues, it may eventually change the power relations between the confederations.

• 30 Oct 2006
  Denmark: Wage disputes in private sector reach record low

  The number of strikes arising from wage disputes in the private sector reached a historically low level in the second quarter of 2006. In spite of a booming economy and reports of continued bottlenecks in the Danish labour market, the number of wage disputes has not increased. Recent steps taken by the social partners may partly explain this development.

• 30 Oct 2006
  Austria: Social partners seek to regulate employment of call centre workers

  About one third of Austria’s call centre workers are ‘economically dependent, self-employed workers’; in other words, they are formally self-employed, although the working situation of most of these workers resembles that of dependent employees. Due to increasing competition in the call centre industry, a number of employers are offering ‘free-service contracts’ rather than standard employment relationships, thus bypassing labour law commitments. In response, the relevant social partners commenced talks in June 2006 about the future regulation of employment relationships in the call centre industry.

• 23 Oct 2006
  Romania: New bill to bring Labour Code in line with EU legislation

  In order to speed up the transposition of EU legislation on social policy and employment, the Romanian government has issued another Emergency Ordinance to amend the existing Labour Code. The purpose of the new bill is to align provisions on collective redundancies, individual permanent or fixed-term employment contracts, and the principle of equal pay.

• 23 Oct 2006
  Malta: Data protection and respect for workplace privacy

  In 2003, over 90% of Maltese enterprises made use of the internet to carry out their work. The Data Protection Act 2001 is the main regulatory framework concerning privacy at the workplace, but no specific regulation is in place regarding the use of new technology at the workplace. In general, the social partners are satisfied with the existing legal framework in this area.

• 23 Oct 2006
  Lithuania: Trade unions appeal to have new Public Service Law overturned

  On 19 July 2006, the parliament of the Republic of Lithuania adopted a new law for the public service which amends the terms and conditions of remuneration for public sector employees. Trade unions representing public servants and civil officers expressed their dissatisfaction with the new law and called on the president of Lithuania to reject the law adopted by the parliament.

• 23 Oct 2006
  Hungary: Employers seek renegotiation of two sectoral collective agreements

  Hungarian employers have been requesting the renegotiation of two of the four extended sectoral collective agreements, for the electricity and bakery sectors. In the context of a decentralised bargaining system and the dominance of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the labour market, the extension of agreements by decree of the Minister of Social Affairs and Labour is a vitally important instrument for broadening the scope of existing sectoral collective agreements, especially in industries in which SMEs prevail.

• 23 Oct 2006
  France: Unions sceptical about announced drop in unemployment rate

  Unemployment figures released in June and July indicate that the unemployment rate has fallen significantly to 9% of the active population. Overall, the number of job seekers has decreased by 100,000 people in April, May and June. However, the trade unions have declared that these results should be analysed with caution and want to know the reality that may be hiding behind the figures.

• 23 Oct 2006
  Spain: Restructuring agreement signed at national radio and television station

  Following months of dispute and negotiation, the trade unions and the Director General of Radio y Televisión Española have reached an agreement to reduce employment and to set up a corporation. These measures are aimed at reducing the financial deficit of this public company and ensuring its continued operation.

• 23 Oct 2006
  Germany: Posted Workers Act extended to industrial cleaning

  On 23 August 2006, the federal government approved the draft bill that will extend the Posted Workers Act to the industrial cleaning sector. When the amended act comes into force in 2007, posted workers will be entitled to the minimum standards of working conditions and the minimum pay rates set by the industry’s framework collective agreements. On 28 August 2006, the sector’s bargaining parties renewed the collective wage agreement, which fixes the minimum hourly wage at €7.87 in western Germany and €6.36 in eastern Germany. For the first time, the Posted Workers Act will cover workers other than those in the construction sector.

• 23 Oct 2006
  Austria: Agreement reached in dispute about overtime for air traffic controllers

  Due to a shortage of air traffic controllers employed by Austro Control, delays in flight departures in July disrupted the steadily increasing flight activity at Vienna International Airport, mainly affecting the Austrian national carrier. A dispute broke out between the employee representatives and the management of Austro Control when the former demanded significant reductions in overtime hours, which the employer rejected. In late July 2006, the conflict came to an end when the two parties agreed on a suitable staffing programme and an interim extra payment scheme for overtime work.

• 18 Oct 2006
  Netherlands: Social and Economic Council calls for individual entitlement to education

  In a medium-term draft recommendation, issued in July 2006, the Social and Economic Council (SER) emphasises the importance of individual rights to education. The draft recommendation outlines how such rights should guarantee the possibility of lifelong education, thus increasing the employability of workers. This idea forms part of a government approach that is focused on activation measures aimed at facilitating employees in maintaining their employability in a rapidly changing knowledge economy. Although the social partners appear to be in agreement about this issue, the employers in return wish to achieve their long-held goal to increase the flexibility of dismissal rules – a measure that employee representatives in the SER are strongly opposed to.

• 16 Oct 2006
  Norway: National Wages Board settles industrial disputes over wages and pensions

  In August 2006, it emerged that the demands of the Federation of Norwegian Professional Associations and the Finance Sector Union would not receive the backing of the National Wages Board. These demands, which concerned wages and occupational pension schemes, had resulted in strike action during the wage negotiations in the spring of 2006. Both conflicts were halted by means of compulsory arbitration and were left to be resolved by the National Wages Board.

• 16 Oct 2006
  Netherlands: Social partners agree on 3% general wage increase

  In July 2006, a collective wage agreement stipulating an average increase of 3% was secured. Although this was higher than that agreed in 2005, the overall increase can be considered relatively low. The difficult labour market situation has not tempted the trade unions to demand higher wage requirements. In 2005, the number of strikes doubled compared with the total number of strikes recorded in 2004 and industrial unrest continues into 2006.

• 16 Oct 2006
  Netherlands: Manifesto calls for companies to pay out unemployment benefits

  Companies should be made financially responsible for unemployment benefits, according to a manifesto signed by a coalition of employee and employer representatives. The proposal, initiated by two prominent members of the Dutch Trade Union Federation (FNV), has met with both approval and criticism from the various political parties. Labour experts have also expressed some doubts about the proposal. Nevertheless, all parties agree that through this initiative, FNV has made an attempt to end the deadlock regarding dismissal rules in the Social and Economic Council.

• 16 Oct 2006
  Netherlands: Employer’s contribution to childcare to be made compulsory

  The Minister of Social Affairs is making it compulsory for employers to contribute to childcare costs, which will come into effect from 1 January 2007. The minister believes that the current, voluntary scheme is not functioning as intended. Under this scheme, parents, the government and employers are each required to pay one third of childcare costs. Employer organisations have opposed the new proposal, while the AbvaKabo trade union has spoken in favour of the initiative. It is suggested that a better solution would be for childcare to constitute a basic provision, primarily financed through government funds. The biggest opposition party, the Labour Party, supports this idea and has presented an initiative bill to this effect to the Lower House of Parliament.

• 16 Oct 2006
  Netherlands: Social partners recognise need for more training for young people

  In the autumn of 2005, during a consultation between the government and the social partners, the union federations highlighted the lack of training opportunities for young people with a low level of education. The government and employers both agreed that the issue requires greater attention, and hence a new budget to tackle the problem was made available. Research has shown that effective coaching during on-the-job training and greater company investment in training will help to improve the situation for low-skilled workers.

• 16 Oct 2006
  Netherlands: Opening of borders to eastern European workers

  In March 2006, the Dutch government decided to formally open its borders to eastern European workers, in line with EU agreements, with effect from 1 May 2006. A transitional arrangement currently applies, allowing for the introduction of a less stringent work permit, and will be maintained until 1 January 2007. At the same time, the government is expected to assess some economic sectors in terms of employment trends. Employers believe that this arrangement is unnecessary, while the unions are in favour of introducing a trial period. A majority of members of parliament also favour stricter policies during the transition period. The social partners are expected to assess, sector by sector, whether Dutch employees are being displaced due to an increase of foreign workers.

• 16 Oct 2006
  Italy: Union of Italian Workers holds 14th congress

  In late June 2006, the Union of Italian Workers held its 14th congress in Rome. The conference, entitled ‘Labour: the real wealth of the country’, focused on employment, tax reform, pensions, and institutional and industrial relations issues. A new secretariat was also elected as part of the proceedings.

• 16 Oct 2006
  Greece: New national collective agreement signed for 2006–2007

  In early April 2006, Greece’s central social partner organisations signed a new national general collective agreement for the private sector, following months of intensive bargaining. The agreement sets minimum wage as well as salary increases, and regulates other non-pay issues for the next two years, 2006–2007.

• 16 Oct 2006
  Denmark: Wage increases moderate despite economic boom

  The Danish economy is continuing to grow to such an extent that economists now fear that the economy will overheat. One of the most important elements to be affected in such a scenario is wages. In August 2006, tense discussions took place between economists and representatives of trade unions and employer organisations concerning their respective wage demands prior to the collective bargaining rounds, due to take place in the spring of 2007.

• 16 Oct 2006
  Cyprus: Cyprus and Bulgaria sign bilateral agreement on social security

  In June 2006, Cyprus and Bulgaria signed a bipartite agreement on social security, aimed at providing social protection for people lawfully engaging in paid employment in either of the two EU Member States. The agreement is expected to come into force in the near future.

• 12 Oct 2006
  Netherlands: Internet-based union established

  In a bid to maintain their position, trade unions in the Netherlands are looking for different ways to attract new members. The two trade unions, De Unie and CNV Dienstenbond, have set up a low-cost, low-threshold Internet-based union. Earlier, as an alternative to conventional membership, the Dutch Trade Union Federation (FNV) introduced a much cheaper option in the form of ‘donorship’ in the hotel, restaurant and catering industry.

• 12 Oct 2006
  Portugal: Teaching unions oppose proposed career statute

  In July 2006, 13 trade unions representing the teaching profession decided to take action together for the first time since the start of the democratic regime in 1974. The reason for their united stand is the government’s proposal to introduce a teaching career statute for pre-school instructors and teachers at primary and secondary level. The new statute sets out major changes for teachers in terms of career entry and development, the duration and organisation of working time, absenteeism, seniority and adjustments to the retirement age. The unions regard the proposal as a serious attack on the teacher’s profession.

• 12 Oct 2006
  Portugal: Agreement reached on framework for social security reform

  In July 2006, the government and the social partners, with the exception of the General Confederation of Portuguese Workers, reached agreement on the principles of reforming the social security system for private sector workers. The guidelines presented will form the basis for the upcoming negotiations that aim to reach a final overall agreement on revising the social security law, which is expected to come into force in January 2007.

• 12 Oct 2006
  Poland: Self-employment trends in Poland

  For many Poles, self-employment is the only alternative to unemployment. Moreover, self-employed people enjoy certain tax benefits. However, the self-employment formula is questionable in cases where employees are forced into such a move by employers. In many instances, enterprises regard subcontracting work to independent sole traders as a way of eliminating payroll taxes and other responsibilities associated with full-time employment and, thus, to improve profit margins. Putting employees into the position of having to establish a business activity in their own name and then continue working for the same enterprise is subject to certain legal restrictions, but practical enforcement of the applicable laws has not been very effective.

• 12 Oct 2006
  Norway: Figures show sizeable labour migration from new EU Member States

  New figures published in June 2006 show that migration of individual job seekers from the eight new EU Member States of central and eastern Europe into Norway has continued to increase two years after enlargement of the European Union. At the same time, the provision of services by foreign companies, or Norwegian companies employing foreign workers, is becoming the most significant form of labour mobility into the Norwegian labour market. The social partners have expressed concerns about the implications for wages, working conditions and competitiveness.

• 12 Oct 2006
  Latvia: Protest by National Symphony Orchestra over appointment of artistic director

  The musicians of the Latvian National Symphony Orchestra took protest action in June 2006 over what they perceived as an affront to the integrity of their creative work and working conditions. The musicians were protesting against the decision of the Ministry of Culture, which oversees the orchestra’s activities, to replace the orchestra management and restrict the self-management right of the orchestra. Negotiations to resolve the conflict between representatives of the musicians and the Ministry of Culture have got underway.

• 12 Oct 2006
  Denmark: Role of employee representative in restructuring at LEGO

  Senior employee representative at LEGO, Berit Flindt Petersen, has to negotiate the best possible severance package for the 900 employees recently made redundant. Writing in the weekly union newsletter, Ms Flindt Petersen reports that she feels she has been offered more support and assistance from the company than from the representative trade union to cope with this responsibility and the mental strain involved. She calls for a higher degree of readiness on the part of trade unions in relation to restructuring processes and large-scale redundancies.

• 12 Oct 2006
  Denmark: Flexible working time used to counter labour shortages

  The Danish labour market is currently experiencing a record low rate of unemployment combined with a shortage of labour, with the result that many companies have started to introduce flexible working hours, an option which has been provided for in several collective agreements. There is widespread take-up of a pilot scheme to conclude agreements at local level, within the framework of the collective agreement for the manufacturing sector, as companies try to manage their staffing requirements.

• 12 Oct 2006
  Germany: Study examines possible effects of a national minimum wage

  In July 2006, the Institute for Work and Technology (IAT) published the findings of a study on the effects of the introduction of a national minimum wage of €7.50 per hour. The IAT found that about 4.6 million employees, corresponding to 14.6% of all employees, would then be entitled to a pay rise, a benefit affecting women and low skilled workers in particular. Labour costs would rise by between €10 billion and €12 billion. This would, however, also positively affect the tax income of the state and the social security system, which would receive additional contributions.

• 12 Oct 2006
  Germany: Employers call for reform of law on unemployment assistance

  Although the federal government recently introduced amendments to the so-called HARTZ-IV law on modern services in the labour market, the Confederation of German Employers’ Associations has called for an extensive revision of the existing rules in the form of a 10-point proposal put forward in July.

• 12 Oct 2006
  Germany: New collective agreement in banking sector

  In June 2006, the bargaining parties in the German banking sector signed a new collective agreement. Following three so-called zero-months with no increase from June to August 2006 and a one-off payment in August 2006 of €100, the agreement provides for a general pay increase of 3% with effect from 1 September 2006 and a further increase of 1.5% with effect from 1 December 2007. The bargaining parties also agreed to increase the number of apprenticeships in 2006 and 2007 by 4%. The agreement covers some 240,000 employees in private and public banking but not the 170,000 employees in the cooperative banking sector.

• 12 Oct 2006
  Germany: Interim report on 2006 collective bargaining round

  In July 2006, the Institute of Economic and Social Research presented its interim report on Germany’s 2006 round of collective bargaining. The study evaluates the collective agreements concluded in the first half of 2006, affecting about 39% of all employees covered by such agreements. Calculated on an annual basis, the average increase in wages and salaries will be around 1.5% in 2006, which is below the average pay increase of 1.8% in 2005.

• 12 Oct 2006
  Czech Republic: Mittal Steel Ostrava announces over 1,000 job cuts

  The largest domestic steel company in the Czech Republic, Mittal Steel Ostrava, which currently employs almost 9,000 people, has announced plans to dismiss at least 1,000 employees by the autumn of 2006. As happened during the first phase of major internal restructuring in 2004, the company will again offer workers who take voluntary redundancy a severance payment well above the legal minimum requirement.

• 12 Oct 2006
  Belgium: Social partners criticise bill to counter social security fraud

  In July 2006, the employer and trade union organisations represented at the National Labour Council gave a unanimously critical opinion of the government’s draft bill that aims to reform the social penal code. The revised legislation sets out to consolidate infringements and sanctions in the area of social security and will introduce new competences for labour inspectors. While recognising the importance of reform that could ensure improved workplace safety, protection of fundamental rights and reasonable sanctions, the trade union and employer representatives requested the federal government to amend certain issues in the draft law.

• 09 Oct 2006
  United Kingdom: Strike at Asda averted following deal on staff representation

  A planned five-day strike by warehouse staff at the Asda supermarket chain in the UK, due to begin on 30 June 2006, was called off after management and the GMB general trade union reached agreement on staff representation and bargaining arrangements.

• 09 Oct 2006
  United Kingdom: GMB pulls out of ‘super union’ merger talks

  In June 2006, the planned merger of three major UK trade unions – Amicus, the GMB and the Transport and General Workers’ Union (TGWU) – which would result in the creation of a ‘super union’ with some 2.5 million members was thrown into disarray when the move was rejected by delegates at the GMB’s annual conference. Amicus and the TGWU expressed disappointment concerning the GMB’s decision, but confirmed that they would go ahead with the merger.

• 09 Oct 2006
  United Kingdom: Employment relations in SMEs

  A new report published in the UK in July 2006 uses data from the 2004 Workplace Employment Relations Survey to assess employment relations in companies of different sizes. The study focuses on comparing a representative sample of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) with larger organisations. It finds a low incidence of formal employment relations structures in SMEs but a high degree of job satisfaction despite working conditions that are often worse than those in larger organisations. The relatively close working relationships in SMEs seem to contribute to job satisfaction levels although lower employee expectations may also be a factor.

• 09 Oct 2006
  United Kingdom: Tribunal issues ruling on information and consultation

  In April 2006, the UK’s Employment Appeal Tribunal (EAT) issued its first judgement in a case arising under the Information and Consultation of Employees Regulations 2004. The EAT’s interpretation of the regulations has important implications for both employers and trade unions seeking to rely on ‘pre-existing agreements’ as allowed by the legislation.

• 09 Oct 2006
  Slovakia: Lowest unemployment rate in seven years

  High unemployment is a long-term problem of the Slovakian economy as well as affecting society. Although considerable effort has been expended to reduce unemployment levels, a substantial downturn has been visible only in the last few years when unemployment started to continuously decrease. In the first quarter of 2006, the unemployment rate declined below 15% for the first time in seven years. The decrease in unemployment was mainly due to both the implementation of active labour market policy measures and the creation of new jobs by foreign investors in Slovakia. Furthermore, a certain proportion of the decline is related to the migration of a large number of people to work abroad.

• 09 Oct 2006
  Portugal: Unions strike over public service restructuring

  On 6 July 2006, the three major trade union organisations representing public administration workers organised a 24-hour strike in protest against the terms of the government’s comprehensive reform of public services. On the day after the strike, the Minister for Finance reaffirmed in parliament the government’s commitment to the reform and to the aim of reducing staffing costs in public administration by almost one billion euro in 2006 and 2007. The reduction of staff costs is at the centre of the conflict, in particular the introduction of a transferability scheme for civil servants whose position becomes superfluous in the course of restructuring. The conflict between unions and government puts the question of internal and external flexibility in the public sector at the top of the industrial relations agenda.

• 09 Oct 2006
  Latvia: High number of job vacancies under scrutiny

  Labour force demand is continuing to grow and experts consider that, within a year, the unemployment level will decrease by about 6% in Latvia. Although the number of unemployed people still exceeds the number of vacancies on offer, the demand for a qualified labour force is higher than supply in both the construction and services sectors. The State Employment Agency considers that one of the key reasons for jobseekers to refuse vacancies is the low salary offered and also a lack of clarity by employers regarding salary at the time of recruitment. The attitude of prospective employees towards job vacancies reflects inconsistencies in the social dialogue concerning salary issues.

• 09 Oct 2006
  Lithuania: Call for representation of civil society in tripartite discussions

  There is still no forum in Lithuania where representatives of non-governmental organisations would have an opportunity to systematically express an opinion before decisions of national importance are made. The Lithuanian representatives at the European Economic and Social Committee are also insufficiently advised on the opinions of various social partners. In the light of these shortcomings, the social partners have considered extending the scope of activities of the Tripartite Council of the Republic of Lithuania by including more organisations representing the non-governmental sector.

• 09 Oct 2006
  Lithuania: Social partners push for conflict resolution body

  Although the Labour Code provides for the possibility to avail of mediation services in resolving labour disputes in Lithuania, no mediation institution or procedure to select mediation officers has yet been established. The social partners have agreed for some time that a mediation authority should be set up within the Lithuanian legal system. As a result, in June 2006, they formed a working group to draw up draft provisions for such a body. It is hoped that a mediation officer could contribute not only to resolving disputes but also to prevent them.

• 09 Oct 2006
  Italy: New collective agreement for electricity sector

  In July 2006, a draft collective agreement was signed in the electricity sector for the period 2006–2010. The deal, which consolidates the single sectoral agreement signed for the first time four years ago, provides for average pay increases of €110 for the approximately 70,000 workers in the sector. The agreement also establishes the central importance of issues concerning the country’s energy policy and introduces important measures with regard to the industrial relations system.

• 09 Oct 2006
  Finland: Social partners unveil joint employment plan

  The Finnish government is concerned about the high unemployment rate that is being recorded, despite the fact that numerous job vacancies exist. Presenting the government’s new plan to offer relocation allowances to those who move to take up a job, the Minister of Finance also called on the social partners to deliver a proposal for new employment measures by mid August 2006. On 17 August, labour market groups unveiled a joint wide-ranging package aimed at boosting employment and labour mobility.

• 09 Oct 2006
  Germany: Wage incentives aim to boost employment of older workers

  In mid July, the Federal Minister for Labour and Social Affairs proposed to raise the employment rate of older people by granting wage supplements for unemployed persons who accept a low-paid job and wage subsidies for companies that hire persons aged over 50 years. The proposal has met with mixed reactions from the unions and employer organisations.

• 02 Oct 2006
  Slovenia: New law fixes minimum wage

  Since 1995, the minimum wage in Slovenia was based on tripartite agreements on minimum wage increases which were subsequently implemented by law. In future, the minimum wage will be fiixed by the Law on the Determination of Minimum Wage, which establishes the method of adjustment of the minimum wage and the amount of the minimum wage for 2006.

• 02 Oct 2006
  Slovenia: Trade union calls for register of occupational diseases

  Slovenia is the only EU Member State where there is no register of occupational diseases. For more than 15 years, there has been no system for verifying and reporting occupational diseases. The Union of Free Trade Unions of Slovenia (ZSSS) has attempted to raise awareness among the public, the government and parliament of the difficulties faced by workers with occupational diseases but with little success. ZSSS demands that the government should introduce a special compulsory insurance scheme for health and safety at work, and should designate a relevant expert body for the verification of occupational diseases.

• 02 Oct 2006
  Luxembourg: Lack of success for union’s employment initiative

  In April 2006, the Luxembourg Confederation of Christian Trade Unions (LCGB) launched a new programme to stimulate employment entitled ‘Job coaching’. The LCGB leadership decided to take this initiative following the wave of dismissals that has swept Luxembourg since early 2006, leading to the loss of some 1,000 jobs. A detailed procedure determines the functioning of the new initiative, which has already produced some results.

• 02 Oct 2006
  Luxembourg: New tripartite agreement to tackle economic situation

  On 28 April 2006, the Tripartite Coordinating Committee concluded an important agreement on how to prepare for Luxembourg’s future in the current difficult economic climate. The agreement addresses social, financial and economic measures affecting the country. A parliamentary debate on the agreement followed soon after its conclusion. Among other points, the discussion questioned the committee’s legitimacy to conclude agreements, as compared to the parliament, which must vote on them. On 2 May 2006, in his State of the Nation declaration, Prime Minister Jean-Claude Juncker reaffirmed the role of the coordinating committee in industrial relations issues.

• 02 Oct 2006
  Greece: Measure adopted in support redundant textiles workers

  In May 2006, the Greek parliament adopted an amendment to the law on estimation of companies’ finances. The legislative amendment provides for pension rights for workers who have been or are about to be dismissed from textiles companies in Naoussa in northern Greece. The amendment sets out the conditions under which these workers will be able to claim their full pension.

• 02 Oct 2006
  Greece: Protocol aims to promote gender equality at work

  In June 2006, a cooperation protocol was signed between the General Secretariat for Gender Equality of the Ministry of the Interior, Public Administration and Decentralisation, the employer organisations and other employer bodies on the promotion of equal opportunities for men and women in companies. The parties undertake to raise awareness and ensure equality, particularly with regard to recruitment, training, career advancement and pay. The protocol sets out specific commitments in this regard, including state financial support in fostering appropriate initiatives.

• 02 Oct 2006
  Germany: Women slow to reach senior management positions

  Recent studies carried out by the Institute for Employment Research (IAB) have revealed that only about a quarter of senior managers in private sector companies in Germany are women. Although the political commitment to promote more women to management positions is assumed, it seems that the senior management positions are still predominantly occupied by men.

• 02 Oct 2006
  Cyprus: New collective agreement in construction industry

  In June 2006, following a difficult bargaining round, agreement was reached on the renewal of the collective agreement for the construction industry. Since industrial tension is widespread in this sector, the agreement between the social partners is seen as an important achievement, both socially and economically.

• 02 Oct 2006
  Bulgaria: Government proposes new formula for calculating minimum wage

  The Ministry of Labour and Social Policy’s proposal for a new formula for calculating the minimum wage is due to come into effect by 2007. Although the employers have largely welcomed the new proposals, the trade unions have expressed their reservations about the formula.