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December 2007

• 21 Dec 2007
  Italy: Renewal of collective agreement for insurance sector

  After 18 months of talks and three breakdowns in negotiations, a deal has been reached on renewing the collective agreement for the insurance sector. Trade unions and employers have expressed their satisfaction with the agreement. The main points concern the contracting or ‘insourcing’ of call centre services, high pay increases and measures intended to expand company welfare services. A protocol on social responsibility is a new feature of the accord.

• 21 Dec 2007
  France: Clamp-down on seasonal workers and undeclared work

  During the summer of 2007, trade unions mobilised in support of seasonal workers, almost 30% of whom are victims of employer non-compliance with the labour code, according to the unions. A survey has revealed abuses of the social security system amounting to several billion euros. Some 60% of all seasonal workers are found in the economic sectors of agriculture and hotels and restaurants, and many of the workers are students or migrants.

• 21 Dec 2007
  EU Level: European partnership for anticipating change in automotive industry

  In early November 2007, a new ‘European partnership for the anticipation of change in the automotive industry’ was formed by the European Commission, the European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association, the European Association of Automotive Suppliers and the European Metalworkers’ Federation. The aims of the partnership are to monitor developments in the industry and to exchange know-how on managing restructuring in a socially responsible way.

• 21 Dec 2007
  Austria: Pay increase of 3.6% agreed in metalworking industry

  At the end of October 2007, the social partners in the trend-setting metalworking industry concluded this year’s follow-up collective agreement covering about 164,000 employees. The agreement provides for an increase of minimum and actual wages of 3.6% and 3.5%, respectively, as well as an additional one-off payment of up to €200, depending on profitability at individual company level. The parties involved are satisfied with the bargaining outcome.

• 21 Dec 2007
  Finland: Massive job cuts due to restructuring in paper sector

  In response to substantial cost increases and in order to safeguard long-term profitability, the Finnish pulp and paper company Stora Enso has announced a severe restructuring programme. Trade unions at national and international level have condemned the closure of profit-making mills. Meanwhile, the paper company M-real has also announced closures in southern Finland. These measures will lead to a combined total of 1,300 job losses on a national scale.

• 21 Dec 2007
  France: Strong support for small-scale strike at Citroën Peugeot

  In the spring of 2007, a six-week strike involving a minority of workers took place at the PSA Peugeot Citroën factory in Aulnay-sous-Bois in the suburbs of Paris. The workers on strike subsequently voted to return to work. Despite the few concessions made by the management, the strikers were gratified by the great support they received during the strike. Many French workers identified with the pay issues raised by the strikers.

• 21 Dec 2007
  France: Uncertain future for La Samaritaine department store

  La Samaritaine – a Parisian department store with iconic status – closed down on 30 April 2005. Since then, a plan to safeguard employment has made it possible to envisage redeployment for the workers concerned, with early retirement being the main measure used. Nevertheless, the future of the store remains uncertain, and ambitious plans for a shopping mall are still no further than at planning stage.

• 21 Dec 2007
  Italy: Collective agreement signed at Auchan retail group

  In June 2007, after 18 months of negotiations, representatives of the Auchan Group in Italy and the trade unions of the retail trade sector signed an agreement covering the 10,000 employees at Auchan’s Italian stores. The most innovative aspects of the agreement relate to industrial relations, work organisation and an extension of financial participation to the workers. The agreement’s signatories expect productivity growth of up to 50% as a result of the agreement.

• 21 Dec 2007
  Lithuania: Social partners sign declaration of mutual recognition

  In October 2007, a number of national-level social partner organisations, including three trade unions and two employer organisations, signed a declaration of mutual recognition. The declaration came about as a result of the increased attempts of small non-associated organisations to represent their members’ interests at national tripartite and bipartite institutions.

• 21 Dec 2007
  Lithuania: Non-affiliated trade union in Kaunas strikes over low pay

  In mid October 2007, due to dissatisfaction with low wages, the Trade Union of Employees of Kaunas County Governor’s Administration (KAVADPS) declared a token strike in Kaunas city. As the dispute remained unsettled after the strike action, the KAVADPS appealed to the government to help resolve the situation in relation to pay. The government was expected to review the situation by mid November.

• 21 Dec 2007
  Luxembourg: Restructuring case fuels debate on relocation

  In June 2007, euroscript was informed by its main client that it had lost a major part of its contract to a competitor based in France. As a result, the company’s management announced that 120 employees were to be made redundant. The trade unions signed the redundancy scheme but condemned what they called a ‘policy of relocation’. It appears that the French competitor has contacted euroscript’s Polish branch regarding fulfilment of the contract.

• 21 Dec 2007
  Netherlands: Rise in employment participation rates of women and older people

  The government has identified women and older people as target groups for increased labour market participation. For this reason, the government and social partners decided to establish a taskforce at their June 2007 summit. Figures published in the autumn of 2007 show that participation rates have increased for both target groups. The Dutch Trade Union Federation and the think tank Equality believe the level of participation could be increased further.

• 21 Dec 2007
  Poland: Telework in Poland

  In August 2007, a legal definition of this type of work and other relevant regulations on the subject were finally incorporated into the Polish Labour Code in August, triggering a crucial shift in public policy towards telework. The new regulation came into force in October 2007. As a result, one of the major obstacles hindering the development of telework in Poland for many years is no longer present.

• 21 Dec 2007
  Sweden: Telework in Sweden

  Since the 1960s, telework has been steadily increasing as a form of employment in Sweden. This is the result of the rapid development in telecommunications tools and the fact that employees increasingly have access to a computer at home. Teleworkers are to be found mostly in economic sectors such as communications, financial intermediation and services. In 2005, the number of teleworkers stood at approximately 230,000 people.

• 21 Dec 2007
  Slovenia: Unions push for further pay rise in the wake of agreement in catering and tourism

  In early September 2007, the social partners in the catering and tourism sector concluded an annex to the pay-related part of the sectoral collective agreement. Initially, strong disagreements over the pay rise emerged among the negotiating parties. However, in September 2007, the parties agreed on a basic pay rise of 2.5% starting from 1 August 2007. Nevertheless, negotiations on a further pay rise began at the end of October 2007 without any outcome.

• 21 Dec 2007
  Slovenia: New employer organisation in commerce sector

  A new employer organisation, the Slovenian Chamber of Commerce (TZS), organising companies in the commerce sector, was founded in mid November 2006. As membership of TZS is not compulsory but voluntary, the organisation can legitimately represent employers’ interests and act as an employer organisation. At present, TZS has over 2,800 members from wholesale and retail companies and small shopkeepers, which includes all major companies.

• 21 Dec 2007
  Slovakia: Telework in Slovakia

  Telework was defined only recently in Slovakia, in the amended Labour Code which came into force on 1 September 2007. With some exceptions, the labour legislation generally provides the same rights for teleworkers as for other employees. Telework is not common in Slovakia and is limited to certain economic sectors and occupations. Employers and trade unions do not address this issue specifically, and its use is not subject to collective bargaining.

• 21 Dec 2007
  Austria: Telework in Austria

  The first collective agreements in Austria that included provisions on telework were concluded in the oil and gas industries at the end of the 1990s. Since then, the incidence of telework has increased across all sectors of the economy, while public interest in this form of work has declined. This article looks at the extent of telework in Austria and explores the progress in implementing the EU framework agreement on telework, concluded by the European social partners in 2002.

• 21 Dec 2007
  Austria: Lawyers agree to give minimum wage to their employees

  In Austria, lawyers are organised outside the Austrian Federal Economic Chamber structure. Since these separate lawyer chambers refused to enter into negotiations over minimum pay standards or to revaluate existing agreements, the Union of Salaried Employees, Graphical Workers and Journalists launched protest action. In response, the lawyers’ federal chamber association amended its professional rules, by stipulating a monthly minimum pay rate of €1,000 for all employees in law offices.

• 21 Dec 2007
  Austria: Social partners tackle unemployment and skills deficit

  In early October 2007, Austria’s social partners presented a joint programme aimed at improving employment opportunities for unskilled, unemployed and young people. The proposals aim to replace the current, generalised system of apprenticeships with individualised qualification programmes for young and unemployed people, and to introduce a special programme for unemployed older workers. Partial opening of the national labour market to workers from new Member States will help to offset the chronic shortfall of skilled domestic workers. The government has accepted many of the proposals.

• 21 Dec 2007
  Bulgaria: Economically dependent workers in Bulgaria

  The issue of economically dependent work is not officially recognised in Bulgaria. The use of so-called ‘service contracts’ instead of standard employment is common as workers try to increase their income to make ends meet and employers seek to reduce labour costs. The trade unions, however, are firmly opposed to any dualistic approach of employment relationships.

• 21 Dec 2007
  Czech Republic: Multidisplay maintains staff levels despite restructuring

  Multidisplay began production of electronic valves and tubes for radios and televisions in 2001, with significant investment incentives from the government. The latter company created about 3,000 new jobs in the Moravia region in the eastern part of the Czech Republic where unemployment is traditionally high. Following a change of ownership and planned redundancy measures, the company has decided to maintain its current staff levels.

• 21 Dec 2007
  Czech Republic: Government proposes extending working hours of doctors

  The Ministry of Health has proposed extending working hours for doctors to up to 48 hours a week in order to resolve the labour shortage caused in part by the new Labour Code, which came into force in January 2007. The ministry wants to take the opportunity to pass technical amendments to the Labour Code in parliament in order to make these changes. However, trade unions as well as professional organisations are threatening to protest against such a proposal.

• 21 Dec 2007
  Germany: Unions push for minimum wage in the postal sector

  At the end of October 2007, the Federal Network Agency for Electricity, Gas, Telecommunications, Post and Railways released recent figures on the number of employees working in the postal sector. The publication of such figures once again sparked a fierce debate among the social partners on the introduction of minimum wages in the sector. However, the Social Democratic Party and the Confederation of German Trade Unions strongly call for minimum wages to be introduced.

• 21 Dec 2007
  Estonia: No change in unemployment insurance despite social partner pressure

  In recent months, discussions among the social partners have evolved focusing on possible changes in the funding and benefits paid out of the Unemployment Insurance Fund. Due to a build-up of funds, the main questions arose as to whether to increase unemployment insurance benefits or to reduce insurance premiums. However, despite proposals by the social partners, Estonia’s unemployment insurance system will probably remain unchanged in 2008.

• 21 Dec 2007
  Spain: Draft bill aims to improve employment rights of domestic workers

  The Spanish government plans to pass a law regulating the terms and conditions of employment of domestic workers, in order to improve their employment situation. Moreover, the government is aiming to bring domestic workers’ social security contributions progressively in line with those of workers contributing to the General Social Security System. Nonetheless, certain differences will remain, notably in terms of unemployment benefits.

• 20 Dec 2007
  Impact of the working time directive on collective bargaining in the road transport sector— UK

  This report analyses the impact of the working time directive on the road transport sector in the UK. Overall, it would appear that the directive has had limited impact, other than obliging employers to reduce working hours for their drivers, usually at no loss of pay. The sector is generally male-dominated and has recruitment difficulties due to a perceived long hours culture and a high incidence of working away from home. Further, it is expected that the skills and labour shortages this sector is experiencing will be exacerbated by the directive, as employers seek to recruit extra drivers.

• 20 Dec 2007
  Impact of the working time directive on collective bargaining in the road transport sector — Slovenia

  The Directive 2000/15/EC is implemented in Slovenia in the Act on Working Time and Compulsory Rest Periods of Persons Performing Mobile Road Transport Activities, and on Recording Equipment (Tachographs) in Road Transport. However, there exists an on going debate about that Act and many violations of regulation of working time are reported in the sector. Because of that it could be expected that the problems connected with the topics covered with the Directive will stay on the agenda of Slovene social partners in future. The implementation of the Directive did not bring new topics to the collective bargaining agenda in areas of health and safety or working conditions, while it influenced the debate on working time.

• 20 Dec 2007
  Impact of the working time directive on collective bargaining in the road transport sector — Romania

  The provisions of the working time directive for the road transport sector were transposed in the Romanian legislation. Romania has requested EU member states to accept a six-month transition period for drivers of commercial vehicles recently registered in Romania and equipped with digital tachograph, to present themselves for the check up of driving and rest Although the number of self-employed drivers is insignificant and no debates have been held on this particular issue, employer and trade union organisations consider that they too should comply with the same rules. The road transport infrastructure in Romania is not yet adequate for high performance and competitive road transport. Road quality prolongs the duration and costs of transports enormously, causing exhaustion and discomfort for drivers.

• 20 Dec 2007
  Impact of the working time directive on collective bargaining in the road transport sector — Poland

  Road transport plays an important role in Poland’s economy. Although the Directive has been transposed into the national legislative framework, enforcement of the relevant laws – in particular regarding working time and safety issues – remains unsatisfactory. The sectoral collective agreement covers only a minority of the employees concerned.

• 20 Dec 2007
  Impact of the working time directive on collective bargaining in the road transport sector — Norway

  In Norway the directive was implemented by Regulation of 10 June 2005 about working time for drivers and others within the field of road transport. The regulation came into force 1 July 2005, and is pursuant to the Act regarding Workers Protection and Working Environment (Arbeidsmiljøloven)

• 20 Dec 2007
  Impact of the working time directive  on collective bargaining in the road transport sector — Netherlands

  This is the Dutch contribution to the Comparative analytical report on the Impact of the working time directive for the road transport sector on collective bargaining

• 20 Dec 2007
  Impact of the working time directive on collective bargaining in the road transport sector —Lithuania

  In the road transport sector, collective bargaining takes place at enterprise level only. No bargaining is held at this level concerning working time, because, according to the social partners, working time is quite consistently regulated by the legislation valid in the country.

• 20 Dec 2007
  Impact of the working time directive on collective bargaining in the road transport sector — Italy

  Directive 15/2002 has not yet been transposed into Italian law. The social partners signed an agreement in this regard more than two years ago, but discussions with the government institutions have proceeded slowly (also because of the recent change of government). Among the most criticised aspects of the directive, the social partners complain that it does not cover self-employed workers (whose quantitative incidence in the sector is very high), while stressing its utility for improving safety in the sector.

• 20 Dec 2007
  Impact of the working time directive on collective bargaining in the road transport sector

  In France, Road transport is a sector of SME companies: 94 % of the companies have less than 50 employees. This sector is subject to derogation from general rules on working time (the derogation mainly concerns ‘mobile’ staff) and depends on an ‘equivalent system’, which is set out in a decree and authorises derogation from the rules governing legal working time of 35 hours per week (especially regarding overtime).. Since the transposition of the European directive (Decrees of 31 March 2005 and of 8 January 2007), no agreement has been signed between the social partners. The transposition of the European Directive is clearly seen as another very complex challenge to the 35 hour week.

• 20 Dec 2007
  Impact of the working time directive on collective bargaining in the road transport sector — Malta

  The road transport sector in Malta is divided into a number of different sections such as hauliers, public service buses, taxis, coaches and minibuses. Most operators in the sector are self employed. The working time directive was implemented in Malta in June 2006 with the aim to set the minimum requirements in relation to the organisation of time.

• 20 Dec 2007
  Impact of the working time directive on collective bargaining in the road transport sector — Luxemburg

  The road sector is divided in two main sections in Luxembourg, which have their own collective agreement: the passenger transport section and the goods transport section. The Directive 2002/15/ EC has not been transposed into the national regulation. However, there is a bill that takes into account the Directive and the regulation 561/2006. The bill goes further than the Directive, raising concerns specifically from the chamber of commerce.. Currently, the bargaining of a new collective agreement has become more difficult. That is why the trade unions addressed a letter to the commission of the chamber of representatives in order to find a solution to the pending of both procedures: the transposition of the Directive and the bill. According to the Trade Union OGBL, the main problems in Luxembourg are the difficulty of starting to re-bargain the collective agreements, an increase of driving time and a decrease of rest periods, an increase of bullying on bus drivers (and taxi-drivers), a trend to offshore companies that send back drivers to work in Luxembourg and, finally, a trend to the introduction of fake self-employed drivers.

• 20 Dec 2007
  Impact of the working time directive on collective bargaining in the road transport sector — Hungary

  This is theHungarian contribution to the Comparative analytical report on the Impact of the working time directive for the road transport sector on collective bargaining

• 19 Dec 2007
  EU Countries: Impact of the working time directive on collective bargaining in the road transport sector

  This report explores the impact of the Working Time Directive on collective bargaining in the road transport sector. It first gives an overview of the road transport sector across the European Union, looking at its employment structure and collective bargaining actors, processes and issues. The report then examines implementation of the directive in the different countries and its impact on key areas such as working time, rest breaks and night work, as well as those cases where derogations from the directive are permitted. Finally, it looks at a range of issues facing the road transport sector in the areas of recruitment and retention, pay, and health and safety.

• 19 Dec 2007
  Impact of the working time directive on collective bargaining in the road transport sector — Germany

  On 1 September 2006 the Directive 2002/15/EC was implemented in Germany by amendment to the general Working Time Law (Arbeitszeitgesetz). The implementation, however, does not cover self-employed drivers. Before focusing on the implementation of the working time directive the following study provides some basic information on the size and composition of the workforce in the German road sector. It also highlights the collective bargaining situation in the industry. It finally offers informations about the main issues concerning working conditions, self-employment and trans-boarder drivers and the views of the bargaining parties with regard to these issues.

• 19 Dec 2007
  Impact of the working time directive on collective bargaining in the road transport sector — Denmark

  The WT directive for road transport was incorporated in Danish legislation in 2005. The sector, however, is already covered by collective agreements, which cover 85% of the employees. The WT directive was implemented in the collective agreements in 2004. The provisions of the incoporated law on working time in the transport sector only cover employees not covered by a collective agreement.

• 19 Dec 2007
  Final Questionnaire for EIRO comparative analytical report on the impact of the working time directive for the road transport sector on collective bargaining

  This study is concerned with the impact of the working time directive for the road transport sector on collective bargaining in the the Czech Republic.

• 19 Dec 2007
  Impact of the working time directive on collective bargaining in the road transport sector — Belgium

  This report summarises based on a questionnaire how the Belgian sector of road hauling implemented the EU working time directive for the road transport sector by collective agreements and new legislation. This implementation is discussed within a broader overview of the industrial relations of this sector in Belgium.

• 19 Dec 2007
  Impact of the working time directive on collective bargaining in the road transport sector — Austria

  Collective bargaining in the road transport sector follows the standard pattern in Austria, with all the sector’s companies belonging to the Austrian Federal Economic Chamber (WKO) and its relevant subunits and thus a collective bargaining coverage of 100%. The – delayed – implementation of the working time directive 2002/15/EC by the Austrian legislator in August 2006 has had only minor effects on collective bargaining in the road transport sector, but has tended to deteriorate rather than improve the concerned employees’ working conditions. This is because – due to the responsible union’s weakness in the sector – the additional scope for collective bargaining resulting from the legal implementation of the directive could be used only to the benefit of the employers’ side.

• 19 Dec 2007
  Impact of the working time directive on collective bargaining in the road transport sector — Latvia

  Latvia has implemented Directive 2002/15/EC in 2005, through Regulation No 520 of the republic of Latvia Cabinet of Ministers and amendments to Road communication law. Implementation of the Directive does not impact collective bargaining due to two reasons. First, Latvia joined AETR Convention and implemented Council Regulation (EEC) No 3820/85 of December 1985 on the harmonisation of certain social regulation relating to road transport prior to implementation of Directive. Second, social partners have not yet incorporated improvements in the working time regulations in the agenda of collective bargaining. Despite implementation of Directive, long working hours and overtime work are typical problems in the road transport sector.

• 19 Dec 2007
  Impact of the working time directive on collective bargaining in the road transport sector — Portugal

  This is the Portuguese contribution to the Comparative analytical report on the Impact of the working time directive for the road transport sector on collective bargaining

• 19 Dec 2007
  Impact of the working time directive on collective bargaining in the road transport sector — Slovakia

  Majority of persons working in the road transport sector are self-employed. They are not members of any trade unions organisation, and are not covered by collective agreements. Only around 30 % of persons working in the road transport sector have a status of an employee. Most of these workers are members of the trade unions and are covered by collective agreements. The Directive 2002/15/EC was implemented by adoption of the Act no. 462/2007Coll. which entered into effect from 1 November 2007. So far, working time in the road transport sector was regulated by the Act no. 121/2004 Coll. It was not a subject of collective bargaining. The provisions of the new act refer to all modes of transport, and for the first time also to self-employed in the transport sector.

• 19 Dec 2007
  Impact of the working time directive on collective bargaining in the road transport sector— Bulgaria

  The Directive 2002/15/EC was transposed in Bulgaria in 2006 and is in force from 1 January 2007. It is difficult to estimate the Directive impact on collective bargaining in the auto-transport sector yet.. On the one hand till now the Directive requirements were not subject of the collective negotiations and on the other hand - there is no a specific collective agreement for the road transport but only a section in the sectoral collective agreement for the whole transport sector. It is expected that the implementation of the Directive 2002/15/EC will stimulate and contribute improving the working conditions in the sector and will provide possibilities to include working time issues in the next negotiations circle.

• 19 Dec 2007
  Impact of the working time directive on collective bargaining in the road transport sector — Cyprus

  The following is the Cyprus national centre’s contribution to the EIRO comparative analytical report on the impact of the working time directive for the road transport sector on collective bargaining.

• 19 Dec 2007
  Impact of the working time directive on collective bargaining in the road transport sector — Estonia

  The Estonian road transport sector has about 18,000 mobile employees. Majority of them (85%) are truck drivers and 15% bus drivers. Estonia has implemented the working time directive in the Traffic Act in 2005. The regulations in working and rest time legislation are valid on all drivers, including self-employed persons and trans-boarder drivers.

• 19 Dec 2007
  Impact of the working time directive on collective bargaining in the road transport sector — Finland

  This is the Finnish contribution to the Comparative analytical report on the Impact of the working time directive for the road transport sector on collective bargaining

• 19 Dec 2007
  Impact of the working time directive on collective bargaining in the road transport sector — Greece

  Community Directive 2002/15/EC has been incorporated in the Greek legal system. The Directive was transposed into Greek legislation by means of Presidential Decree 167/22-8-06. However, the individual provisions of the Directive have not been implemented, since the social partners in the sector have achieved more favourable working conditions through collective bargaining and the existing collective agreements. The Presidential Decree mentions the implementation of provisions more favourable than those of the Community Directive, when such provisions have been achieved through collective bargaining. The basic problem that arises is failure to implement the provisions due to inadequate monitoring. As a result the law is violated, resulting in deterioration in working conditions, along with the risks that this entails for the community at large (e.g. road safety issues).

• 19 Dec 2007
  Impact of the working time directive on collective bargaining in the road transport sector — Ireland

  This study examines the impact of the working time directive for the road transport sector (2002/15/ec) in Ireland, and the implications for industrial relations and collective bargaining as of February 2007. The directive on road transport was only transposed in Ireland on January 2, 2006. Given that a significant proportion of long-distance truck and bus drivers in Ireland work more than 48 hours per week, the directive will likely have important repercussions. However, given the recent transposition, it will be some time yet before the full implications are known.

• 18 Dec 2007
  Netherlands: Social partners divided over government budget

  The Confederation of Netherlands Industry and Employers is largely negative about the government’s budget agreement which was published in September 2007. The Dutch Trade Union Federation responded with greater enthusiasm, albeit with some reservations. The employers are highly critical of increasing the financial burden on companies, while the trade unions would like to see greater investment in active labour market policies.

• 18 Dec 2007
  Netherlands: Government introduces pregnancy and maternity leave scheme for self-employed

  In August 2007, the Minister of Social Affairs and Employment resolved the impasse related to the public pregnancy and maternity leave scheme by deciding to establish such a scheme for self-employed individuals. The minister’s decision comes despite a court ruling in July that the Dutch state does not have to establish such a scheme. The Dutch Trade Union Federation, which was one of the parties in the court case, is in full agreement with the minister’s decision.

• 18 Dec 2007
  Latvia: Trade unions threaten to dissolve parliament over state of economy

  At the beginning of October 2007, the Latvian Free Trade Union Confederation announced that it was prepared to organise a referendum on the dissolution of Latvia’s parliament. The trade unions’ protests were prompted by the inability of the government to ensure economic stability, alongside announcements of a possible public sector pay freeze and an unwillingness to consult with the social partners in the process of adopting the 2008 state budget.

• 18 Dec 2007
  Luxembourg: Employers reject draft bill on harassment and sexual discrimination

  During the social partner consultation with regard to the bill on the principle of equal treatment of men and women, the Chamber of Commerce and the Chamber of Trades rejected the proposed bill in its present form. They criticised the definitions of harassment in the workplace and direct and indirect discrimination as they are currently presented. Both employer organisations are also concerned about the possibilities for non-profit organisations and trade unions to take legal action on behalf of victims.

• 18 Dec 2007
  Italy: Fiat increases wages in advance of renewal of collective agreement

  As of October 2007, the Fiat Group has decided to pay its employees an advance of €30 a month on future wage increases. Other large metalworking companies have followed this example. As a result, negotiations have restarted on the renewal of the metalworkers’ national collective agreement, which had been in deadlock for months. Overall, the government and social partners have welcomed the Fiat initiative.

• 18 Dec 2007
  France: Force ouvrière criticises European integration process at annual congress

  At the end of June 2007, the French General Confederation of Labour – Force ouvrière held its 21st confederal congress in the northern city of Lille. The majority of the 2,500 delegates approved the report on past activities covering the period 2004–2006. Newly re-elected General Secretary Jean-Claude Mailly used the opportunity to criticise the process of European integration on account of the over-emphasis on the economy and free competition to the detriment of labour issues.

• 18 Dec 2007
  Spain: Government to support jobs in footwear and leather sector

  The Spanish government has agreed on a package of measures to support the footwear and leather goods sector as it faces increased competition in the global market. The plan aims to maintain 40,000 jobs in Spain and to use active employment policies to prevent workers from leaving the labour market. Particular attention is paid to older workers in terms of the subsidies available. The support package has been negotiated and agreed with the social partners.

• 18 Dec 2007
  Latvia: Social partners sign agreement for taxi services

  In September 2007, a general agreement was signed for taxi operations, covering wages, work safety, commencement and termination of employment relations, training, regulations governing work procedures and social protection for workers. The agreement underlines the cooperation of the employer organisation in the sphere of social partnership and aims to ensure efficient taxi services and development of operations within the transport sector.

• 18 Dec 2007
  Latvia: Employers call for less restrictive immigration laws

  Despite a migration policy aimed at protecting the interests of the domestic labour market, the employment of foreign workers is increasing in Latvia, due to a shortage of workers and increasing wage pressure. Employers are appealing to the government to liberalise immigration laws to eliminate the extra costs associated with the current regulations. However, the trade unions are pushing for a more efficient use of local labour resources and better wages in some sectors in order to stem the emigration flow out of the country.

• 18 Dec 2007
  Netherlands: Employers flout labour law by hiring illegal workers

  The opening of Dutch borders on 1 May 2007 to employees from new EU Member States has not discouraged employers from hiring workers illegally. It thus remains necessary to check for illegal employment and impose fines where it occurs. By the autumn of 2007, the organisation that monitors compliance with the collective agreement for temporary agency workers had uncovered major breaches of the agreement at 33 companies and imposed fines totalling €1 million.

• 18 Dec 2007
  United Kingdom: Employers worried about threats to flexibility

  The Confederation of British Industry’s latest employment trends survey, published in September 2007, provides data on employer views and policies on a range of key industrial relations topics. The survey found that employers were concerned at the prospect of further regulation and its potentially damaging impact on flexible employment practices.

• 10 Dec 2007
  Hungary: Government launches support scheme for redundant railway employees

  In 2003, the Hungarian government approved a 20% reduction in the workforce of Hungarian State Railways (MÁV) to be implemented by the end of 2006. Following trade union petitioning and lengthy negotiations, in 2005 MÁV established the New Chance Foundation to provide counselling and support for employees laid off as a result of the restructuring. So far, some 700 workers have registered for the programme and a third of these have found a new job.

• 10 Dec 2007
  Ireland: Agreement for foreign-based pilots at Aer Lingus settles dispute

  In October 2007, the Labour Relations Commission brokered a deal between the former state-owned airline, Aer Lingus, and its pilots, which establishes the terms and conditions of the company’s new base in Belfast in Northern Ireland. The agreement includes a general commitment by the company that the terms and conditions of Dublin pilots will not be affected by the opening of further Aer Lingus bases abroad.

• 10 Dec 2007
  Ireland: Trade union sets out key targets for national talks

  The recent national conference of Ireland’s largest trade union, the Services Industrial Professional and Technical Union (SIPTU), made it clear that employment rights for temporary agency workers will be a key demand in national negotiations in early 2008. Other items raised at the meeting included the right to representation and the pensions issue. At the same time, the SIPTU leadership remains positive in relation to the principle of social partnership.

• 10 Dec 2007
  Malta: Opposition party calls for upgrading of economic and social council

  The Malta Labour Party has proposed that the chair of the Malta Council for Economic and Social Development should be given a ministerial rank and attend government cabinet meetings pertaining to the council’s business. The proposal received lukewarm support from the social partners. The Union of United Workers was the most vocal in expressing its concern that this move would compromise the chair’s impartiality, a necessary characteristic for such a role.

• 10 Dec 2007
  United Kingdom: Trade unions call for vote on EU reform treaty

  In September 2007, the annual conference of the Trades Union Congress voted to support calls for a UK referendum on the proposed EU reform treaty. The move reflects trade union anger at the UK government’s ‘opt-out’ from the Charter of Fundamental Rights; under the terms of the treaty, the charter is to be given legal enforceability. However, the opt-out was confirmed at the Lisbon summit in October 2007, and the UK government plans to ratify the treaty in parliament.

• 03 Dec 2007
  EU Level: Social partners make breakthrough on flexicurity guidelines

  On 18 October 2007, the European social partners, at the request of the European Commission, made a major breakthrough in drawing up a set of guidelines for defining ‘flexicurity’. The recommendations agreed on at this tripartite summit are designed to help inform the social partners, predominantly at national level, when negotiating changes in labour market regulations.

• 03 Dec 2007
  France: Minimal increase in national minimum wage

  On 1 July 2007, the government increased the national minimum wage (SMIC) by 2.06% to €8.44 an hour. The increase did not exceed the minimum level required by law and in real terms means that those on the minimum wage will only receive an increase of 0.8%. In addition, the Prime Minister, François Fillon, referred to a possible reform of the SMIC – a proposal which was welcomed by the employers, but to which the trade unions reacted negatively.

• 03 Dec 2007
  Hungary: Socially responsible practices in SMEs

  A study investigated the awareness and practice of corporate social responsibility (CSR) among small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Hungary. The research found that product quality is the primary focus of responsible and ethical practices. However, it concluded that local stakeholders, competitors, customers or even family members often discourage owner-managers of SMEs from committing extra time, money and energy to CSR practices.

• 03 Dec 2007
  Cyprus: Legal amendments bring about better maternity cover

  In July 2007, legislative amendments to the laws on protection of maternity and parental leave came into effect. Although these amendments do not fully meet the demands of working women, they are an important step towards an improved legal protection of maternity. Overall, the trade unions welcomed the legislative changes, while the employers considered the penalty envisaged in the case of violation of the respective legislation as being too high.