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August 2007

• 24 Aug 2007
  EU Countries: Industrial relations in the postal sector

  This comparative report provides a general overview of the main features and recent trends in the postal sector in EU Member States. It assesses the impact of these trends on employment, the terms and conditions of employment, and the relationships between the social partners over the past decade. It reveals a sector characterised by rapid transformation and increased competition among the service providers, underpinned by the search for cooperation and social dialogue between the social partners.The planned liberalisation of the market is well underway but was still the subject of debate in the European Parliament in July 2007.

• 21 Aug 2007
  United Kingdom: Mixed reaction to ‘opt-out’ from EU Charter of Fundamental Rights

  At the European Council in June 2007, the UK government secured an ‘opt-out’ from the legal enforceability to be given to the Charter of Fundamental Rights as part of the reform treaty agreed on by the Council. The move received a mixed response from politicians, the business community and trade unions in the UK.

• 20 Aug 2007
  Ireland: Prime minister outlines priorities at ICTU conference

  In a recent speech at the Irish Congress of Trade Unions’ biennial conference, Prime Minister Bertie Ahern outlined the main issues facing the social partners, in advance of a fresh round of national talks towards the end of 2007. The prime minister reassured the trade unions that the government is committed to the social partnership approach in dealing with the impending challenges to maintain the competitiveness of the Irish economy.

• 20 Aug 2007
  Hungary: Government maintains cut-price rate for electricity sector employees

  In June 2007, representatives of the Ministry of Economy and Transport, employer organisations and trade unions of the electricity sector signed an agreement maintaining the preferential price for employees in the sector after liberalisation of the industry. This followed a series of negotiations and strike action earlier in the year. The agreement defines those entitled to the discounted price and under what conditions, and specifies who covers the cost differential.

• 20 Aug 2007
  EU Level: Commission lays down guidelines on flexicurity

  In June 2007, the European Commission published its Communication on flexicurity, which reflects the outcome of its consultation with relevant stakeholders. Flexicurity policies aim to create a more flexible workforce, while ensuring employment security for workers. The trade union confederation ETUC has expressed concern that flexicurity will place undue emphasis on workers’ flexibility ,while employer organisation BusinessEurope views it as an opportunity to modernise labour markets.

• 20 Aug 2007
  Bulgaria: Dispute over terms of redundancy package at multinational plant

  US multinational Bunge, the world’s largest oilseed processor, has announced plans to downsize its Dobrich plant, resulting in the loss of 167 jobs. In June 2007, workers at the plant launched a series of industrial actions in protest at the closure and at management’s refusal to negotiate a redundancy plan with the trade unions. Despite the involvement of the Bunge European works council, the management stood firm on its initial offer and rejected the trade unions’ demands.

• 20 Aug 2007
  Czech Republic: Proportion of self-employed people on the rise

  In 1989, self-employed persons constituted about 1% of employment in the Czech Republic. Since 2000, their share of total employment has risen to almost 20%, one of the highest figures in the EU. However, some self-employed people legitimately combine self-employment with a regular employment relationship, in other words, waged work. At the same time, ‘false’ self-employment also occurs. A mixed picture emerges with regard to income prospects for self-employed persons.

• 20 Aug 2007
  Germany: Shortage of skilled labour in industrial sectors

  In July 2007, the Federal Minister of Economics and Technology highlighted the fact that while over 20,000 engineers are unemployed companies are still looking for skilled labour. Studies also reveal that some sectors are experiencing shortages of skilled labour. Employers have called for reduced restrictions on labour market entry for skilled foreign workers, while trade unions demand better educational and vocational training opportunities for young people and employees.

• 20 Aug 2007
  Germany: Impact of codetermination at company level

  A recently published analysis of the effectiveness and efficiency of the Works Constitution Act emphasises that the characteristics of the company in question, and of the environment in which it operates, determine the optimal form and extent of codetermination. The analysis shows that more companies have established tailor-made agreements than have set up works councils. This has been done in order to better adhere to local circumstances.

• 20 Aug 2007
  Spain: Government approves strategy on health and safety at work

  The Strategy on Health and Safety at Work aims to establish the general framework for occupational risk prevention, as well as health and safety measures at the workplace. Following a period of intense debate, the strategy was finally agreed between the government and the most representative social partners. The strategy aims to reduce the levels of industrial accidents and to improve workplace health and safety measures.

• 20 Aug 2007
  Greece: Government establishes social solidarity fund

  In April 2007, the Greek government passed a new law setting up a Special Social Solidarity Fund to provide increased incomes and social protection to long-term unemployed people and those made redundant through company restructuring. The draft bill had previously been submitted to the Economic and Social Council of Greece, which stressed that the initiative is, in principle, a positive measure that aims to protect the aforementioned categories of workers.

• 20 Aug 2007
  Hungary: Parliament passes new legislation on annual leave

  Following a decision by the Constitutional Court, the parliament has passed new legislation on paid annual leave which is more favourable to employees. The new provisions entitle workers to request a maximum of three days’ emergency annual leave without giving advance notice. They also set out the rules under which employers can transfer employees’ annual leave to the following year.

• 20 Aug 2007
  Malta: New collective agreement for port workers signed

  In June 2007, a new collective agreement at the Malta Freeport was signed between the Malta Dockers’ Union, the Malta Maritime Authority and the Ministry for Competitiveness and Communications. This long-awaited ports agreement aims to reduce the port’s operating costs by 20%, while safeguarding workers’ rights. The agreement was welcomed by several stakeholders, such as the Chamber of Commerce and Enterprise and the licensed port workers themselves.

• 20 Aug 2007
  Malta: Trade unions clash over representation of telecommunications workers

  A dispute between Malta’s two general trade unions arose over the implementation of the terms of a new collective agreement signed by the General Workers’ Union and the telecommunications provider GO. The agreement introduces new measures aimed at increasing the company’s efficiency. However, several workers felt that they were suffering from impoverished working conditions and therefore joined the Union of United Workers. This resulted in a dispute between the two unions.

• 20 Aug 2007
  Poland: Pay disputes in public health sector escalate

  In the summer of 2007, Poland has witnessed one of the biggest waves of social protests in healthcare in many years. Both doctors and nurses employed in public healthcare have clashed with the government over pay rises. The trade unions representing doctors are demanding a sectoral collective agreement providing for pay increases over the coming years. Nurses are also pushing for a substantial pay rise, with their protest action culminating in a demonstration lasting almost four weeks.

• 20 Aug 2007
  Poland: Security workers demand better wages and working conditions

  Workers employed by security companies are one of the worst paid occupational groups in Poland and also have some of the worst working conditions, particularly in terms of working time. In recent times, these workers have begun demanding higher pay. If their demands are not met, the representative trade unions intend to organise protest action.

• 20 Aug 2007
  United Kingdom: Royal Mail hit by first national strikes in a decade

  In June and July 2007, postal workers at Royal Mail held two 24-hour strikes in protest against pay and company modernisation plans. The protests are the first national postal strikes to be held since 1996. However, Royal Mail insists that the opening up of the postal services sector to full competition since January 2006 has increased competition and the need for modernisation of the company.

• 20 Aug 2007
  Belgium: Redundancy plan finalised in Opel-GM restructuring

  After three months of industrial conflict, the management and trade unions at the Opel-GM car manufacturer in Antwerp reached an agreement on a redundancy plan with regard to the 2,200 workers who have to leave the plant. Some workers can take early retirement, while others can claim a generous redundancy settlement. The generosity of the agreement has raised controversy among the national social partners.

• 20 Aug 2007
  Bulgaria: Social partners agree pay rise in private sector

  On 3 July 2007, the leadership of the representative trade union and employer organisations agreed on an average wage increase of 12.9% in the private sector for 2007. In the public sector, wages have already increased by 10% since 1 July. This agreement marks the first time that the social partners have reached a consensus on pay policy in the private sector without government participation.

• 20 Aug 2007
  Bulgaria: Joint conference on social and civil dialogue

  On 25–26 June 2007, the Bulgarian Economic and Social Council and the European Economic and Social Committee jointly organised a regional conference of economic and social committees from south-eastern Europe and the Black Sea region. The aim of the conference was to exchange best practice examples and information on the role of social and civil dialogue in societal development. Representatives from more than 20 countries participated in the conference.

• 13 Aug 2007
  Netherlands: Significant wage increases across all sectors

  In the spring of 2007, the Dutch Trade Union Federation anticipated a further collective wage increase. The 3% increase agreed on in both the public and construction sectors appears to have set the trend, with some sectors gaining even more than trade union demands. As the General Industrial Employers’ Association had predicted that the increases would be more modest, it must now recognise that economic recovery is fuelling higher wage increases.

• 13 Aug 2007
  Italy: Freelance contracts converted into standard employment contracts

  The end of April 2007 was the deadline given for stipulating agreements designed to stabilise the employment relationships of freelance workers irregularly employed by companies. The opportunity to transform atypical work contracts into the standard form of subordinated employment was offered to employers and trade unions through the 2007 budget law. The latter legislation regulates the procedure for stabilising the employment of freelance workers.

• 13 Aug 2007
  Germany: Interim report on 2007 bargaining round

  In July 2007, the Institute of Economic and Social Research presented its interim report on Germany’s 2007 round of collective bargaining. The study evaluates the collective agreements concluded in the first half of 2007, affecting about 33% of all workers covered by such agreements. Calculated on an annual basis, the average increase in wages and salaries will amount to about 2.3% in 2007, which is above the average pay increase of 1.5% in 2006.

• 13 Aug 2007
  Germany: Agreement ends dispute over employee relocation at Deutsche Telekom

  In June 2007, after six weeks of strike action, the United Services Union and the telecommunications company Deutsche Telekom agreed on a package of collective agreements to regulate pay and conditions for 50,000 employees who are to be transferred to three new service companies in July 2007. Collectively-agreed pay levels will be reduced for workers in these spin-off companies and the weekly working time will be extended from 34 to 38 hours without pay compensation.

• 13 Aug 2007
  Cyprus: Women predominate among low-wage workers

  The interim results of a study by the Cyprus Labour Institute (INEK/PEO), published in early April 2007, examine factors affecting wages and wage inequalities in Cyprus. In recent months, interest has grown in the issue of low-paid work in the Cypriot labour market. The INEK/PEO study, which is due for completion in November 2007, provides findings in relation to the incidence of low pay, as well as the characteristics of low-paid workers.

• 13 Aug 2007
  Cyprus: New collective agreement for port workers sets pay guarantee

  At the end of May 2007, following lengthy bargaining procedures lasting about five years, agreement was reached on defining the terms and conditions of employment of dockworkers and tally clerks working at the Limassol and Larnaca ports. The main provisions of the new agreement include a new pay system for job entrants and incentives for voluntary retirement. The majority of port workers have accepted the provisions of the agreement.

• 13 Aug 2007
  Czech Republic: Unions resolutely opposed to public finance reforms

  In June 2007, the largest trade union organisation, the Czech-Moravian Confederation of Trade Unions, along with the Association of Autonomous Trade Unions, organised a demonstration in protest against the government’s draft public finance reforms. The protestors deem the proposed reforms to be particularly unjust to low-income families, those with children, pensioners and employees.

• 13 Aug 2007
  Estonia: Increase in social protection for unemployed people

  Several amendments to the Unemployment Insurance Act, which came into force in 2007, have increased the level of social protection available to unemployed people. The rules for eligibility have been simplified so that employees with repeated unemployment periods can also meet the requirements for unemployment insurance. In addition, the application procedures for unemployment benefits have been simplified and the level of unemployment assistance increased.

• 13 Aug 2007
  Spain: Fourth collective agreement signed in construction sector

  Social partners in the construction sector have signed the fourth general collective agreement for the sector. The agreement covers over two million workers and runs over the five-year period 2007 to 2011. It establishes for the first time a sectoral minimum wage, as well as introducing provisions for shorter working hours, compensation for termination of temporary contracts and new leave provisions for immigrant workers.

• 13 Aug 2007
  EU Level: European Court ruling on employers’ duty regarding health and safety

  In June 2007, the European Court of Justice made its ruling in the case of the Commission of the European Communities v United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland in relation to health and safety at work. The case deals with the obligations of Member States to provide an appropriate legislative instrument that will secure employer compliance with the duty to ensure the health and safety of workers at their place of work.

• 13 Aug 2007
  EU Level: Commission assesses implementation of posted workers directive in Member States

  The European Commission has assessed national measures to implement the EU directive on posted workerss, within the context of rights to provide services in the internal market. In the view of the Commission, urgent action needs to be taken to improve administrative cooperation. The portability of pension rights is also topical, in the context of the free movement of services and a directive in this regard is under preparation.

• 13 Aug 2007
  France: Non-teaching school staff transfer to local authorities in decentralisation move

  Even before the 1 January 2008 deadline, when technical staff employed by the Ministry of Education have to make a decision on whether or not they wish to transfer to local authorities, half of the workers have already chosen to become local authority civil servants. Such transfers of state civil servants to local authority bodies are not without consequences for both trade unions and staff representation bodies.

• 13 Aug 2007
  Greece: Trade union confederation holds 33rd congress

  In March 2007, the Greek General Confederation of Labour (GSEE) held its 33rd congress in Athens. As part of the conference proceedings, a vote was taken on GSEE’s action plan and demands for the next three years. In addition to outlining the action plan’s main points, the congress also held a ballot to elect a new executive.

• 13 Aug 2007
  Ireland: Union secures above-norm pay deal at Tesco

  The global supermarket giant Tesco has concluded a significant collective pay agreement with the Mandate trade union. The agreement, which is outside the terms of Ireland’s national social partnership agreement, provides for an overall pay increase of 12% over 24 months. It also encompasses non-pay elements, including new work patterns and pension arrangements. Some 10,000 workers are set to be covered by the Tesco-Mandate agreement.

• 13 Aug 2007
  Ireland: Pension dispute at state broadcasting company influenced by bank deal

  Trade unions at the country’s state broadcaster, Radio Telefís Éireann, are seeking a re-hearing of their case for a new defined benefit pension scheme. The appeal follows a recent recommendation with respect to one of Ireland’s largest banks, Allied Irish Banks, which backed an attractive new ‘hybrid’ pension plan.

• 13 Aug 2007
  Luxembourg: Deadlock in collective bargaining in financial services sector

  Agreement has not yet been reached on the renewal of the collective agreement for the financial services sector, mainly due to disagreements over remuneration. The Luxembourg Bankers’ Association would like to abolish pay increases based on seniority. However, given the profits generated by the sector, the trade unions find this unacceptable. Meanwhile, the Luxembourg Association of Bank and Insurance Employees has realigned itself with the firm position taken by the other two trade unions involved.

• 13 Aug 2007
  Malta: Further layoffs predicted in textiles industry

  The process of relocation has recently been causing a dramatic decline in employment in the textiles industry in Malta. In June 2007, two clothing companies laid off a total of around 683 employees. Employee representatives and employer organisations, together with the government, are making a joint effort to offer various forms of support to these redundant workers.

• 13 Aug 2007
  Netherlands: Union proposes giving non-standard workers right to more training

  The Christian Trade Union Federation has proposed the idea of offering non-standard or flexible workers the right to more training, to strengthen their position in the labour market. The proposal has been backed by a majority of the Dutch House of Representatives. The Labour Party would like to expand this right to include all employees but the government is opposed to a statutory obligation in this respect. Employer organisations have also responded negatively to any statutory right.

• 13 Aug 2007
  Romania: New technology and respect for privacy at the workplace

  The use of new information and communication technologies (ICT) at the workplace has spread rapidly in recent years, raising numerous issues for employers, employees and their representatives, especially in terms of the relationship between workers’ privacy and employers’ need to control and monitor the use of ICT. This article explores the growing extent of ICT use at the workplace in Romania and examines the national legal framework in the area of confidentiality. Overall, the social partners have given little attention to the issue so far.

• 13 Aug 2007
  Romania: Law to provide for equal treatment in occupational social security

  An emergency ordinance passed in June 2007 has enabled the Romanian government to regulate the principle of equal treatment for men and women in occupational social security schemes. In doing so, the government has transposed Directive 96/97/EC into national law, which trade unions and European Commission experts had requested in January 2007. In compliance with the ordinance, any provisions in the national legislation that are in conflict with the principle of equal treatment will thereby be eliminated.

• 13 Aug 2007
  Slovenia: Economically dependent workers in Slovenia

  The issue of economically dependent workers has not yet come to the fore in Slovenia, and only some aspects of the issue in relation to self-employment and freelance work emerge in public discussions. However, from the statistics available, it is clear that some workers in Slovenia fall into the category of economically dependent workers.

• 13 Aug 2007
  Slovenia: Social partners agree on amendments to labour relations law

  After one year of tripartite negotiations, a consensus was reached on draft amendments to the Law on labour relations. The amendments represent a compromise between the rather radical demands of employers to reduce workers’ rights and the trade union demands to defend them. Overall, the amended law introduces greater flexibility into the labour market.

• 13 Aug 2007
  Slovakia: Labour ministry to cut civil service jobs in efficiency drive

  In June 2007, the Ministry of Labour, Social Affairs and Family announced its decision to dismiss about 1,500 civil servants in response to the government’s aim to reduce the number of civil servants by 20%. The civil servants are to be dismissed due to the ongoing decline in the number of unemployed people in Slovakia, thus making their services redundant. A redeployment programme for the dismissed civil servants will help them secure new work as soon as possible.

• 13 Aug 2007
  United Kingdom: Trades Union Congress launches commission to monitor vulnerable workers

  In May 2007, the Trades Union Congress launched a new commission whose aim is to investigate the problems being faced by vulnerable workers in the United Kingdom. The commission includes a number of senior business figures along with trade union leaders. In particular, the commission aims to develop proposals for improving statutory protection against workplace exploitation.

• 13 Aug 2007
  United Kingdom: Minimum holiday entitlement to be increased

  In June 2007, the government put regulations before parliament that will increase the statutory minimum annual leave entitlement in the United Kingdom from four weeks to 5.6 weeks by April 2009. The new legislation includes a two-stage increment from 20 days of leave to 28 days, and outlines specific provisions for part-time workers and payment in lieu, among other aspects. The amendment will benefit some six million workers.

• 13 Aug 2007
  United Kingdom: Increase in work days lost due to strikes in 2006

  The latest official UK strike figures, published in June 2007, show that the number of days lost through strikes rose significantly in 2006 compared with the previous year. More than 85% of the days lost involved industrial action by public sector workers. Most of the disputes were pay related and of short duration. Given recent trends, it seems likely that the increase in labour disputes will continue.

• 13 Aug 2007
  Belgium: Supermarket giant to close 16 stores nationwide

  The management of the French supermarket giant Carrefour has announced its intention to close 16 GB stores in Belgium. GB, a well-known network of supermarkets, was sold to the French group in July 2002. The closures will probably result in the loss of 900 jobs out of the 5,502 people employed at GB. Trade unions fear that these closures will give rise to new franchise stores with poorer working conditions.

• 13 Aug 2007
  Bulgaria: First national cooperation pact signed in chemicals sector

  In May 2007, the social partners in the chemicals sector presented the first national cooperation pact, which they had signed in mid-April in Sofia. The pact is the first such agreement in the sector signed between the National Labour Federation ‘Chemistry and Industry’, the CL Podkrepa National Federation ‘Chemistry’ and the Bulgarian Chamber of the Chemicals Industry. The social partners presented the pact at a joint conference.

• 06 Aug 2007
  Cyprus: Unions condemn report findings on low-paid work

  In March 2007, the Statistical Service of Cyprus published survey findings on the earnings of workers in the five occupations that are paid on the basis of the national minimum wage, as well as in another three occupations. The results have sparked strong reactions from the trade union movement, both with regard to the violation of existing legislation on minimum pay and also in terms of the failure to provide basic benefits to workers in selected occupations.

• 06 Aug 2007
  Cyprus: Economically dependent workers in Cyprus

  The issue of economically dependent workers has not yet come to the fore in Cyprus, and only some aspects of the issue, which are usually not related to industrial relations, emerge in public discussions. However, from the statistics available, it is clear that there are workers in Cyprus who fall into the category of economically dependent workers.

• 06 Aug 2007
  Romania: Economically dependent workers in Romania

  The issue of economically dependent workers has not yet come to the fore in Romania, and only some aspects of the issue, which are usually not related to industrial relations, emerge in public discussions. However, from the statistics available, it is clear that some workers in Romania fall into the category of economically dependent workers.

• 06 Aug 2007
  Greece: Continuing progress towards gender equality

  A progress report has been published on the 2004–2008 programme entitled ‘National policy priorities and areas of action for gender equality’. The report reviews initiatives taken thus far, including relevant policy measures and practical support services. The review also assesses progress in the regulatory framework and with regard to training provisions. Proposals for future plans and actions are then outlined.

• 06 Aug 2007
  Greece: New code for local government employees

  A government commission recently approved a new draft code on the official status of employees in local government organisations covering municipalities and communities. The new code, which is being completed through consensual procedures for most clauses, will introduce important changes, mainly in the system of selecting supervisors, disciplinary law and maternity leave.

• 06 Aug 2007
  Greece: Strike action in public sector over government wage policy

  In May 2007, the public sector came out on strike in opposition to the government’s incomes policy. A further reason for the protest action was the government’s failure – according to the Confederation of Public Servants (ADEDY) – to meet a range of pre-election commitments, such as new pay scales for public servants. ADEDY also expressed concern over plans to reform the social insurance system, while noting the recent controversy over the handling of insurance funds.

• 06 Aug 2007
  Greece: Dispute at cement plant over unfair treatment of staff

  A dispute has broken out between management at Heracles General Cement Company and the trade union at its plant in Halkida on the island of Euboea. In mid April 2007, management placed the employees on indefinite compulsory leave. Following government intervention, it was decided to reopen the plant until July 2007. However, the trade union has warned that, if management maintains a high-handed attitude, the union will resort to industrial action.

• 06 Aug 2007
  Ireland: Agreement reached on employee share plan in state gas company

  In June 2007, management and trade union negotiators at Ireland’s state-owned gas company, Bord Gáis Éireann, agreed on a proposal for a 3.27% employee shareholding. However, crucial details of the employee share ownership plan remain to be finalised, such as ensuring a liquid market for the shares. Talks on these aspects and other issues are expected to take place in the coming months, with a final document likely to emerge during the autumn.

• 06 Aug 2007
  Ireland: New standards proposed for independent mediators and arbitrators

  In June 2007, a new set of standards was proposed for private consultants operating as independent mediators and arbitrators. The proposed standards aim to enhance the credibility of this growing group of consultants, as an alternative to Ireland’s state-run industrial relations service. Among the recommendations are to ensure that no conflict of interest arises.

• 06 Aug 2007
  Luxembourg: Unions slam management’s inflexible approach at Villeroy & Boch

  The ceramics manufacturer Villeroy & Boch has undergone two waves of restructuring in recent years. The first, in 2003, led to 150 redundancies. Then, in 2006, 179 workers were made redundant. Controversy has now arisen over negotiations on the renewal of the collective agreements for blue-collar and white-collar workers. The Luxembourg Confederation of Christian Trade Unions has condemned the management’s intransigence.

• 06 Aug 2007
  Luxembourg: Protest action averted over working time directive for road transport

  To show their disapproval of the bill transposing Directive 2002/15/EC, employer organisations from the transport sector were planning to drive a convoy of 100 buses and trucks across Luxembourg City. The demonstration was cancelled after a meeting with the ministers of employment and transport. After the employer organisations announced a settlement with the government, the trade unions also requested a meeting with the two ministries.

• 06 Aug 2007
  Malta: Agreement reached at Maltapost in wake of industrial action

  The Union of United Workers gave the go-ahead for industrial action at Malta’s national postal services provider, Maltapost, after no agreement was reached regarding the measures proposed for the new collective agreement. The trade union instructed employees not to process any addressed or unaddressed door-to-door mail. Following a month of industrial action, including a day of total strike, both parties reached agreement and signed the new collective agreement.

• 06 Aug 2007
  Malta: Valletta street vendors protest at proposed relocation

  As part of the government’s plan to pedestrianise the inner streets of Malta’s capital city of Valletta, about 115 street vendors were notified that they would be relocated. In response, the Union of United Workers, which represents the vendors, refused to accept the government’s arbitrary decision. Moreover, the vendors organised a spontaneous protest march, while refusing to set up their stalls for several days. However, the issue was subsequently resolved.

• 06 Aug 2007
  Romania: Employer organisations form new alliance

  After seven of the 11 nationally representative employer organisations established the Alliance of Employer Confederations in Romania in May 2006, another three employer organisations agreed to set up the Union of Employer Confederations in Romania in March 2007. According to its leaders, the new organisation takes part in the signing of 15 of the 21 sectoral collective agreements and accounts for over 70% of the national economy.

• 06 Aug 2007
  Belgium: One in four workers covered by new private sector agreement

  One out of every four workers is now covered by the new sectoral agreement in the private sector. This is the situation just three months after the social partners concluded the new national intersectoral agreement for 2007–2008. The national wage standard is respected in the agreed pay increases. New efforts concerning training have been made. However, issues such as innovation and diversity have only been addressed to a limited extent in the newly-reached arrangements.

• 06 Aug 2007
  Czech Republic: Trade unions protest at planned public finance reform

  At a national meeting of representatives, the Czech-Moravian Confederation of Trade Unions (ČMKOS) expressed its fundamental disagreement with the forthcoming government reform of public finances, and called for a demonstration on 23 June 2007 to protest against the proposals. The Association of Independent Unions supported ČMKOS in this action. However, the employers have welcomed the reforms, even stating that they do not go far enough.

• 06 Aug 2007
  France: Controversy over agreement on workplace accidents and illnesses

  In March 2007, protracted negotiations between trade unions and employer organisations on the issue of accidents at work and occupational diseases led to a protocol of agreement changing some aspects of the existing system. However, the text of the agreement has been criticised by two associations representing those affected by workplace accidents and illnesses, and two of the five trade union confederations have refused to sign it.

• 06 Aug 2007
  France: Legality of new recruitment contract challenged

  The ‘new recruitment contract’ (contrat nouvelles embauches, CNE) was introduced in August 2005 by the Villepin government. However, significant legal uncertainties still arise concerning the future of the CNE. Furthermore, the government’s figures regarding its impact on employment have been contested in a context of controversy over the method of calculating the unemployment rate and thus establishing current employment levels.

• 06 Aug 2007
  France: Mixed reaction to Economic and Social Council ruling against Sunday shop opening

  Following two months of discussions regarding the issue of shops opening on Sundays, the French government referred the matter to the Economic and Social Council (CES). In February 2007, the CES issued an opinion, which advocated keeping Sunday as a rest day, except in certain cases. The proposals have generated a mixed response from the social partners.