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January 2009

• 27 Jan 2009
  Malta: Social partners protest against new energy tariffs

  The government’s plans to increase energy tariffs elicited strong protests from all of the social partners. Both trade unions and employer organisations agreed that such tariffs could reduce Malta’s competitiveness and result in substantial unemployment. In November 2008, 20 trade unions participated in a march to call for a revision of the proposed tariffs. After several meetings, the issue appeared to have largely been settled by the end of November 2008.

• 27 Jan 2009
  EU Level: Commission to aid workers hit by the negative consequences of globalisation

  The European Commission announced at the end of 2008 that it intends to improve the European Globalisation Adjustment Fund. The move follows in the wake of the financial crisis that has hit the global economy. It also comes after the Commission launched its European Economic Recovery Plan, noting that the European Globalisation Adjustment Fund should attempt to help workers threatened by the current economic and financial crisis.

• 27 Jan 2009
  United Kingdom: Retail sector hit by major redundancies

  Several large-scale cases of job loss have recently hit the UK commerce sector. Among the companies affected is the Woolworths retail chain, whose closure led to 27,000 immediate job losses in the UK. A number of other major retailers have also been affected. Trade unions have reacted angrily to the redundancies and called for greater state intervention to support the economy.

• 20 Jan 2009
  Italy: Green Paper addresses future of welfare system

  Italy’s Labour Minister presented to the Council of Ministers a Green Paper analysing the country’s welfare system in July 2008. The Green Paper sought to initiate negotiations, which were to end within three months, on the reform of the welfare system in Italy. However, the government seems to be adopting a contradictory position by encouraging consultation with the social partners while deciding on welfare cuts without proper negotiation.

• 20 Jan 2009
  Cyprus: Government launches new measures to reduce gender pay gap

  The Ministry of Labour and Social Insurance put forward a series of policy measures seeking to reduce the gender pay gap between men and women in June 2008. The gender pay gap currently stands at 24% in Cyprus, which is the largest pay gap among the EU Member States. This article outlines some of the key proposals of the policy measures, which have been distinguished according to four main policy packages.

• 20 Jan 2009
  Germany: Economic Council put forward proposals to counter economic downturn

  In view of the global economic downturn, the German Council of Economic Experts expects that the German economy will at best stagnate in 2009. The experts have proposed short-term measures to stimulate domestic demand and increase potential output. They are also calling for further labour market reforms to combat high unemployment. While the social partners welcome the proposals for stimulating domestic demand, they are divided over the proposed labour market reforms.

• 19 Jan 2009
  Finland: Social partners agree to allow year-round Sunday trading

  The Service Union United and the Federation of Finnish Commerce have reached a joint proposal that would allow all shops to remain open every Sunday. The agreement was reached with difficulty, with the trade union demanding the need for employee consent, safety assessments and bonus payments. Meanwhile, employers gave a mixed reaction, with small traders in particularx criticising the measure. The government parties also have differing views on the matter.

• 19 Jan 2009
  Slovenia: Trade union rejects revised working time directive

  In November 2008, the Union of Free Trade Unions of Slovenia (ZSSS) organised a demonstration against the amended EU working time directive in front of the national government buildings. ZSSS believes that the amendments will make it easier to ‘opt out’ of certain provisions. In Slovenia, this could result in strong pressure on workers and trade unions – especially company trade unions – to agree to a longer working week.

• 19 Jan 2009
  Malta: Nurses’ strike over continued staff shortages escalates

  The industrial dispute between the Malta Union of Midwives and Nurses (MUMN) and the government over staff shortages and other shortcomings in the nursing field escalated in November 2008. However, the threat of more serious strike measures was averted after a meeting with the country’s Minister for Social Policy later that month. In a related development, a dispute broke out within MUMN over its former president’s criticisms of the union’s hard-hitting strike measures.

• 19 Jan 2009
  Sweden: Entry of educated young people into the labour market

  Public follow-up studies in Sweden show that persons who finished upper secondary school or who graduated from university in 2004/2005 have difficulties in finding a job relevant to their education. The situation is somewhat more complicated for those who finished upper secondary school. Trade unions and the main employer organisation have different suggestions on how to support people’s entry into the labour market.

• 19 Jan 2009
  EU Level: European Parliament rejects compromise on working time directive

  In a second reading of the proposed revision of the working time directive on 17 December 2008, the European Parliament refused to approve the common position on the said directive, which the Member States had reached in June 2008 after several years of deadlock. The critical issues are the ‘opt-out clause’ and the question of whether on-call time should always count as working time, issues over which the European Commission and European Parliament remain diametrically opposed.

• 19 Jan 2009
  Finland: Merger trends among trade unions and employer groups

  At the moment, several attempts towards trade union mergers are ongoing in Finland. Furthermore, eight employer organisations have recently established a joint body. The mergers primarily aim to consolidate forces in particular sectors of economic activity and to avoid wasting resources in mutual rivalries. However, mergers bring their own challenges, with a two-year cooperation between professional trade unions ending in December 2008.

• 19 Jan 2009
  Belgium: Prison officers strike for better pay and working conditions

  Trade unions representing workers in the prison service once again resorted to strike action over pay and working conditions, staging 24-hour strikes in prisons between September and October 2008. In the meantime, however, negotiations were resumed in an effort to solve the pending industrial conflict. Any further strike action will depend on the outcome of these negotiations and on whether the promised pay increases are implemented.

• 19 Jan 2009
  Spain: Trade Union Confederation holds its ninth Confederal Congress

  The new management of the Trade Union Confederation of Workers’ Commissions, chosen by a narrow margin of votes at its ninth Confederal Congress in December 2008, is concentrating more on reinforcing the confederal nature of the organisation than on offering an alternative social dialogue policy. In the last few years, the trade union has grown considerably, leading to major organisational restructuring and an increase in the number of internal disputes.

• 19 Jan 2009
  EU Level: Commission defers revision of directive on employee involvement in European companies

  The European Commission issued a communication on the review of Council Directive 2001/86/EC on the involvement of employees in European companies in September 2008. According to the communication, the revision of the directive, which had been planned for 2008, will be postponed to 2009 when the Council Regulation establishing a Statute for a European company will be revised. The Commission attributes the delay to the lack of practical experience in applying the directive.

• 19 Jan 2009
  Ireland: Aer Lingus ‘insourcing’ deal includes ‘leave and return’ clause

  An agreement between Aer Lingus and the Services, Industrial, Professional and Technical Union, brokered by the Labour Relations Commission in late November 2008, averted potential industrial action and may herald a new trend in industrial relations in Ireland. A key feature of the deal was an innovative ‘leave and return’ option, under which some 850 workers have chosen to take a lump sum and leave the company before returning on reduced pay and conditions.

• 19 Jan 2009
  Italy: Social partner agreement aims to tackle crisis in pharmaceutical industry

  Social partner organisations in the chemicals sector signed an agreement in November 2008 introducing a number of ‘welfare to work’ measures for employees made redundant in the pharmaceutical industry. The so-called ‘Welfarma’ project has been welcomed by the signatories to the agreement; however, it has generated a dispute among organisations that did not sign but which are directly affected by its provisions.

• 19 Jan 2009
  France: Moves to privatise French Post Office gather pace

  The French postal services company, La Poste, whose status was changed from being part of the civil service to a state-owned company in 1991, has gradually been divided into separate business activities: letters, parcels, financial services and the network of post offices. It is now due to be turned into a limited liability company (Société anonyme, SA) with a view to being able to meet the challenge of the introduction of competition into the letters market in 2011.

• 14 Jan 2009
  The Netherlands: Temporary agency work and collective bargaining

  The Netherlands is a forerunner in the regulation of temp agency work. A main focus in the regulation is the Collective Labour Agreement (CLA). Since the first CLA in 1971 negotiations have led to a better accommodation of the allocation, renumeration and protection of temp agency workers and the Human Resource Management function of temp work agencies. Since the Flex and Security Law, by CLA (and hybrids) regulations exist whereby (a proportion of the) temp workers gain (stepwise) regular employment contracts, with the protection similar to a regular employment contract. With the influx of migrant workers, CLA partners have started (hybrid) initiatives together with the government to come to public-private compliance systems directed at enforcing better working conditions and more effective actions against malafide agencies.

• 14 Jan 2009
  Austria: Restructuring plans provoke unrest among postal workers

  In November 2008, the Austrian Post Company confirmed plans to reduce significantly its workforce and the number of post offices in the medium term, in order to meet the challenges of the full liberalisation of postal services in Europe. As a result, the Union of Post and Telecommunications Employees has organised major protest action. Most experts agree that the company will only survive if equal market conditions for all mail service providers will be established on time.

• 14 Jan 2009
  Norway: New scheme to reduce sick leave absenteeism

  In September 2008, a new scheme was introduced in Norwegian working life aiming to improve communication between doctors, employers and employees in relation to sick leave. The scheme forms part of the Norwegian initiative to create an inclusive working life, one of its goals is to reduce sickness absenteeism by means of adjusting work organisation for people with health problems. The main objective is to get people on sick leave back to work as soon as possible.

• 14 Jan 2009
  United Kingdom: Employment Bill completes its passage through parliament

  In November 2008, the Employment Bill completed its final legislative stages to become the Employment Act 2008. The new legislation repeals existing statutory dispute resolution provisions, replacing them with measures to encourage the early and informal resolution of employment disputes. It also strengthens the enforcement framework for the national minimum wage and amends the law on trade union membership to comply with a ruling of the European Court of Human Rights.

• 14 Jan 2009
  Germany: Social partners endorse training schemes for disadvantaged young people

  In recent months, the social partners have highlighted the importance of vocational and other training measures for young people, as these can significantly improve their chances of finding a job and securing higher wages. In Germany, a growing number of school leavers have been unable to take up an apprenticeship or enter the labour market over the past few years. To reverse this trend, special training programmes for young people have been set up, which are sorely needed according to a study by the Bertelsmann Foundation.

• 14 Jan 2009
  Sweden: Unemployment high among young people in Sweden

  Unemployment among young people is significantly higher in Sweden than the EU average. Many young graduates seeking employment feel they lack support from the public welfare system. The situation is even worse for those who do not have a university degree. While the government has introduced measures to tackle youth unemployment through the job guarantee scheme, these efforts clash with many of the municipalities’ initiatives.

• 14 Jan 2009
  Sweden: Government launches crisis package to tackle economic recession

  In response to mounting pressure to react to the economic recession and downturn in the labour market, the Swedish government finally presented a crisis package in December 2008. The action plan seeks to stimulate employment and ease the effects of the recession. However, it generated widespread criticism, despite some positive responses. Nevertheless, according to the government, the EU Commission claims that Sweden’s Budget Bill is the most extensive in Europe.

• 14 Jan 2009
  United Kingdom: Widening of gender pay gap triggers calls for action

  Official statistics published in November 2008 indicate that the difference between women’s and men’s median hourly pay has risen to 12.8%, compared with 12.5% in 2007. The unexpected widening of the UK’s gender pay gap has prompted calls for further action to tackle wage inequality – an issue on which the government is planning new legislation in 2009.

• 13 Jan 2009
  Bulgaria: Unions sign redundancy agreement at Stomana Industry

  In mid-November 2008, Stomana Industry, the second-largest steel mill in Bulgaria and a part of the Greek Sidenor Group, announced plans to cut output by around a third and to make some 300 staff redundant. The company’s decision is due to a decline in local customer demand and a reduction in exports caused by the global financial crisis. On 25 November, the company trade unions affiliated to the union confederations Podkrepa CL and CITUB signed an agreement on the social package for the workers dismissed.

• 13 Jan 2009
  Greece: New law on legality of strikes

  Earlier this summer, the Greek parliament passed an amendment to existing legislation governing strike action, aimed at accelerating appeals hearings on whether or not strikes are illegal.The new law also changes the rules governing the designation of the appeals court's panel in cases of deliberation upon the legality of a strike. However, these amendments have been criticised on the grounds that they curtail trade union autonomy.

• 13 Jan 2009
  Greece: Public and private sector strikes against economic policy

  The two main trade union federations in Greece, the Greek General Confederation of Labour (GSEE) and the Supreme Administration of Greek Civil Servants’ Trade Unions (ADEDY), which represent workers employed in the private and public sectors respectively, took strike action in late October 2008 to protest against the government’s economic policy. On 21 October, a general strike took place, accompanied by a march to the Parliament. According to the organisers, the strike was successful. The government, citing the worldwide economic crisis, is planning measures to assist the weaker groups of the population, which, however, will not bring about a dramatic change in economic policy aimed at improving financial indicators.

• 13 Jan 2009
  United Kingdom: Government to introduce ‘fit notes’ to reduce cost of workers’ ill-health

  The UK government announced in November 2008 that it will be introducing ‘fit notes’ to replace the practice of doctors issuing workers with health problems with sick notes from work. These fit notes will specify what work the workers are able to do. The measure seeks to cut the cost to the economy of absence in the workplace due to sickness and has been broadly welcomed.

• 13 Jan 2009
  Luxembourg: Study examines impact of collective agreements on wages

  The Luxembourg Central Service for Statistics and Economic Studies (STATEC) has recently published a study on the impact of collective agreements on wages. Based on the results of a survey on wage structure, the study by STATEC shows that less variation in wages emerges among those covered by an agreement. Moreover, the impact is different depending on the sector, while collective agreements tend to reduce the difference in wages between men and women.

• 13 Jan 2009
  Finland: Increase in cases against employers for consecutive use of fixed-term contracts

  In recent years, an increasing number of employees on fixed-term employment contracts have been taking their employers to court. Under existing Finnish law, employers must provide concrete reasons if they want to retain workers on consecutive fixed-term contracts. Of those workers who have taken a case against their employer, most have won their case. In general, the public sector has a high incidence of workers on fixed-term contracts.

• 13 Jan 2009
  Spain: Further workforce cuts in car industry

  In late 2008, Spain’s largest car manufacturers announced workforce adjustment plans in response to declining market demand. Workforce adjustments such as redundancies or temporary layoffs are applied when the internal flexibility measures agreed in many companies are no longer effective. The trade unions question the motives of employers and claim that workforce adjustments are being used to obtain concessions in the bargaining on new flexibility measures.

• 13 Jan 2009
  Slovenia: Trade union calls on government to raise minimum wage

  The Union of Free Trade Unions of Slovenia (ZSSS) will be calling on the new centre-left government, which was formed in October 2008, to raise the minimum net wage to at least €500 a month. As it stands, the minimum wage does not ensure a decent standard of living for workers. ZSSS will also be proposing changes to the legislation on the minimum wage or the adoption of a new law. However, the employers argue that the unions’ demands are unacceptable, especially as they come during a time of recession.

• 13 Jan 2009
  Belgium: Political and economic crises hamper social partner talks

  Over the past months, the social partners have entered negotiations on a national intersectoral agreement to determine their economic and social priorities for 2009–2010. However, the negotiations take place in a double crisis context – the global economic crisis and the country’s political crisis. In this context, negotiations have been difficult, with the employers aiming to contain wage inflation and the trade unions focusing on workers’ decreasing purchasing power.

• 13 Jan 2009
  Estonia: Unemployment insurance premiums to rise

  From 1 July 2009, unemployment insurance premiums in Estonia will increase from 0.6% to 1% of wages for employees and from 0.3% to 0.5% of the payroll for employers. The increase is necessary due to two main reasons: firstly, to manage the current economic downturn and expected further increase in unemployment; and secondly, to manage the adoption of the new Employment Contracts Act, which will lead to increased social security expenses.

• 13 Jan 2009
  France: Renault to cut 6,000 jobs in France and Europe

  Some 10 years after the Renault manufacturer closed under strong protests its plant in Vilvoorde, Belgium, the company announced its decision to cut a further 6,000 jobs across Europe. In October 2008, the company put forward its restructuring plan, which it describes as a three-fold incentive plan for voluntary redundancies. However, the measures have met with strong opposition, particularly from workers and trade union representatives at the Sandouville factory, where 1,000 jobs are to be cut.

• 09 Jan 2009
  Norway: Temporary work agencies required to register activities

  The Norwegian government introduced a compulsory reporting and registration scheme for temporary work agencies in June 2008. As a result, the legal framework will also be altered making it illegal for employers to hire employees from agencies not listed in the new register. The purpose of the register is to promote responsible employment and business practices within the industry, particularly among foreign temporary work agencies.

• 07 Jan 2009
  Romania: Conflict of interests at Construcţii Aeronautice SA

  On 15 September 2008, employees at the aviation construction company Construcţii Aeronautice SA Ghimbav (Braşov) staged a spontaneous labour stoppage which, after three days, turned into a general strike that lasted from 18 September until 2 October. After negotiations with the company’s management, the county authorities, and the Authority for State Assets Recovery (Autoritatea pentru Valorificarea Activelor Statului, AVAS), the trade unions resumed work on 2 October.

• 07 Jan 2009
  Greece: Report highlights economic slowdown and employment problems

  The Greek economy is suffering the effects of the global economic crisis, according to a June 2008 report from the employer-linked Foundation for Economic and Industrial Research (IOBE), and growth is slowing. So far, employment and unemployment rates, which have improved in recent years, have been little affected by the slowdown. However, the report highlights a number of structural problems in the labour market.

• 07 Jan 2009
  Greece: Unions oppose government plan to restructure railways

  In August 2008, the Greek government announced a restructuring plan for the Hellenic Railways Organisation (OSE), aimed at ensuring its financial viability, promoting growth and improving transparency and safety. The plan includes a major reduction in the workforce, to be achieved mainly through a voluntary exit programme, in order to cut costs. Trade unions at OSE are strongly opposed to the plan and called strike action in protest.

• 07 Jan 2009
  Lithuania: Tripartite Council plans expansion aimed at wider representation

  In September 2008, the Tripartite Council of the Republic of Lithuania (LRTT) – which brings together representatives of the government, trade unions and employers to discuss social, economic and labour issues – agreed plans to expand. Additional unions, employer organisations and government ministries will be included and non-governmental organisations will be involved in the LRTT’s work. A final decision on the LRTT’s expansion is due by the end of 2008.

• 07 Jan 2009
  Romania: Unions use World Day for Decent Work to put forward wage claims

  Four of the five national trade union confederations in Romania – which are affiliated to the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC) – organised a campaign in support of the World Day for Decent Work (7 October) during the period 23 September–7 October 2008. The campaign consisted of two round tables on this topic and an outdoor meeting.The events were accompanied by unprecedented wage claims, made, so far, by teachers and civil servants.

• 07 Jan 2009
  Lithuania: Socially responsible enterprises honoured in awards ceremony

  In 2008, nine companies won Lithuanian National Responsible Business Awards under a new initiative to honour companies that contribute most to social welfare and responsibility. The awards are in three categories - Socially Responsible Enterprise, Workplace of the Year and Partner of the Year. Representatives of trade union and employer organisations were involved in the selection of the winning companies.

• 07 Jan 2009
  Romania: Employer organisations seek response to economic crisis

  In November 2008, the Employer Confederation of Romanian Industry (CONPIROM) held a meeting to discuss the response of the Romanian industrial sector to the global financial crisis and economic downturn. As well as business and employer representatives, trade union leaders participated in the debate. The meeting also highlighted the creation of a new employer structure, the Alliance of Employer Organisations from Industry and Energy (APIE),to tackle the mounting challenges for the Romanian industry and energy sectors .

• 07 Jan 2009
  Bulgaria: Social partners critical of anti-crisis measures in 2009 budget

  At its session on 31 October 2008, the National Council for Tripartite Cooperation discussed the draft 2009 national Budget. Before this, the Council of the ruling coalition adopted a package of anti-crisis measures to fight the impact of the world financial crisis and this has reflected on the basic parameters of the Budget. Both employers and trade union representatives are dissatisfied with the general framework of the Budget.

• 07 Jan 2009
  Romania: Controversy over teachers’ pay rises

  In autumn 2008, the Chamber of Deputies of the Romanian parliament passed legislation awarding a 50% pay rise to all teaching staff, with effect from 1 October 2008. With other public sector trade unions demanding similar wage increases, the government unsuccessfully challenged the law in the Constitutional Court. It then issued emergency ordinances providing for lower pay rises from 1 April 2009. Education unions threatened a strike in protest, but suspended their protests until after a new government is sworn in, following general elections on 30 November.

• 07 Jan 2009
  Romania: Launch of national strategy on health and safety at work 2008–2013

  In October 2008, the Government of Romania (Guvernul României) approved, by decision, the National Strategy and the Action Plan regarding Health and Safety at Work for the period 2008-2013. The actions to be taken under the strategy and the action plan will be monitored by the National Tripartite Committee for Health and Safety at Work.

• 07 Jan 2009
  Bulgaria: Social partners adopt a united approach to achieving gender equality

  On 19 November 2008, the social partners discussed the National Strategy for Gender Equality. The strategy envisages more targeted measures and actions against inequality. It provides opportunities to revise legislation and regulations, in particular those that exert an important influence on the situation or status of men and women from poor or vulnerable groups.

• 07 Jan 2009
  Romania: Employers unite to form new alliance

  Employer organisation mergers attempts have resulted in autumn 2008 in the creation of a new alliance. On 6 October 2008, the Alliance of Employers’ Confederations of Romania (Alianţa Confederaţiilor Patronale din România, ACPR), an umbrella for seven national employer organisations and for other four business people’s associations, together with the General Union of Romanian Industrialists 1903 (Uniunea Generală a Industriaşilor din România 1903, UGIR 1903), and the National Council of Private Small and Medium Enterprises (Consiliul Naţional al Întreprinderilor Private Mici şi Mijlocii din România, CNIPMMR) signed an agreement establishing the Alliance of the Confederations of Industrialists, Entrepreneurs and Employers from the Public Services Sector (Alianţa Confederaţiilor Industriaşilor, Întreprinzătorilor şi Angajatorilor din Servicii de Interes Public Business România, Business România).

• 07 Jan 2009
  EU Level: Temporary agency work directive approved

  On 22 October 2008, the European Parliament approved the proposal for a directive on temporary agency work. Plans for a directive had been in discussion for some time but previous attempts were rejected. The fact that the Parliament has been able to reach a settlement on the issue is therefore an important step for the more than six million temporary agency workers who will see their employment rights strengthened as a result.

• 07 Jan 2009
  EU Level: EU initiatives for employment of third-country nationals

  The migration of workers, particularly third-country nationals, poses challenges for the EU in terms of balancing requirements for labour with potential challenges to social cohesion. This article discusses important initiatives in this area, such as the proposed European Blue Card for skilled third-country migrants and the European Pact on Immigration and Asylum. It also refers to the forthcoming EU directive on sanctions against employers of illegal third-country nationals.

• 05 Jan 2009
  Spain: Debate on early retirement relaunched

  Given the current global economic crisis, the debate on the reform of Spain’s public pension system is now focusing on the need to limit rather than eliminate early retirement schemes as a means of adjusting the workforce. In any case, the preliminary work towards the renewal of the Toledo Pact does not envisage in-depth reforms of the public pension system, as the latest government forecasts indicate that the pension budget will be sustainable for the next 20 years.

• 05 Jan 2009
  Slovakia: Immigration and training may ease labour shortage

  A lack of qualified labour has become an issue in Slovakia, particularly since 2004 when the country acceded to the EU. The shortage is caused by increasing foreign direct investment, which has created thousands of new jobs, as well as by large numbers of people leaving to work abroad. An international ministerial conference considered the topic in September 2008 and concluded that this problem is common to most of the new EU Member States.

• 05 Jan 2009
  France: Sectoral agreement on employment of older people in banking

  An agreement on non-discrimination on grounds of age and the employment of older people in the financial intermediation sector was reached in July 2008. It has since been signed by three of the five sectoral trade unions and by the banking employer organisation. The agreement provides for career progression and training measures. This is the 10th sectoral agreement on ageing; more are likely to follow as the government will otherwise impose penalties by the end of 2009.

• 05 Jan 2009
  Czech Republic: Up to 10,000 job losses expected in automobile industry

  Domestic companies in the Czech Republic’s automobile industry will cut up to 10,000 jobs between 2008 and the beginning of 2009, according to an estimate by the Automotive Industry Association. A few months ago, the association had envisaged a much smaller number of redundancies in the industry in the region of three thousand job losses. However, according to some experts, the current financial crisis is more likely to affect suppliers rather than automobile manufacturers.

• 05 Jan 2009
  Slovakia: Government amends law to allow for higher minimum wage

  As social partners did not agree on the minimum wage for 2009, the Slovakian Ministry of Labour, Social Affairs and Family proposed to increase it by SKK 590 (€19.66) a month. Employers rejected the proposal, claiming that it was too high. However, the government wished for an even higher minimum wage, but existing legislation did not allow for it. Therefore, the law was amended and the minimum wage will now amount to SKK 8,900 (€295.40) from 1 January 2009.

• 05 Jan 2009
  Sweden: Swedish labour market model under threat

  The Swedish labour market model is based on social partner dialogue and negotiation on collective agreements, rather than state regulation. However, globalisation, EU membership and a decline in trade union membership have affected the unions’ role in the labour market in particular. A report from the Ratio Institute now questions the legitimacy of the social partners and calls for a change of the Swedish labour market model.

• 05 Jan 2009
  United Kingdom: Unemployment hits young and older workers the hardest

  An analysis of UK unemployment figures released in November 2008, undertaken by the Trades Union Congress, shows that unemployment among young workers and older workers is rising sharply. Amid fears among the social partners that the labour market will continue to deteriorate in the current difficult economic climate, the UK government is focusing on promoting active labour market measures.