European Working Conditions Observatory (EWCO)
28 July 2010:
New survey reveals sharp variation in working conditions across sectors
(Ireland / Information update)
A new survey reveals significant variations in working conditions in Ireland according to economic sector and employment characteristics. The survey looks at employer provision of work-related benefits such as pensions, childcare subsidies and medical cover. It also examines accommodation of employee-friendly working, access to workplace training and access to employment rights according to occupation, gender, sector, age group and nationality.
23 July 2010:
Portable computing and communication devices and their impact on workers’ health
(EU Level / Information update)
A new European Commission report examines the increasing use of portable computing and communication devices, and its impact on the health of EU workers. It attempts to identify the new and changing risks to health and safety, covering issues such as working environment and how technology encourages work during free time. It also examines the main stressors and ergonomic risks, recommending new guidelines or standards rather than new legislation to protect workers.
23 July 2010:
Heavy work and the possibility of early retirement
(Netherlands / Information update)
Occupations involving ‘heavy work’ may be exempt from the proposal by the Dutch government to increase the retirement age from 65 to 67 years. The concept of heavy work is multi-dimensional; it should not be solely about physically heavy work but should at least also take account of the psychosocial workload. It will be difficult to identify occupations to be exempted due to the many jobs and many outcomes that may be relevant.
14 July 2010:
Level of migration increases in Hungary
(Hungary / Information update)
The extent of migration has increased in Hungary over the past 20 years with the opening up of the country’s borders after the economic and political regime change. Since then, a large number of studies have been conducted to explore the various dimensions and aspects of migration in Hungary. The majority of migrants are ethnic Hungarians from neighbouring countries. It is estimated that about 30% of undeclared work is carried out by foreign workers.
09 July 2010:
Migrant women workers receive less pay than men
(Italy / Information update)
An investigation by the Italian national social security institute (INPS) found a notable increase during the 2000s in the number of migrants in Italy carrying out domestic work. Although the figures provided only go up to 2004, the INPS report highlights the significant increase in migrant women in the Italian labour market and the various pressures leading to the sometimes much lower pay earned by women migrants in regular employment.
09 July 2010:
Implementation of the Racial Equality Directive
(Malta / Information update)
Research commissioned by the European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights (FRA) on how well the Racial Equality Directive is applied in practice in the area of employment found that the major Maltese trade unions and employer organisations are not fully aware of its implications. The FRA report includes ideas on how to increase awareness of racial equality in employment in Malta.
01 July 2010:
New outlook for occupational risk trends
(Denmark / Information update)
A new report published by the Danish Working Environment Authority provides an outlook for occupational risk trends for the period 2010 to 2020. The report emphasises that occupational risks should not be considered as changing abruptly but rather as evolving gradually. According to the report, the main working environment issues to be addressed in the labour market as a whole are psychosocial and musculoskeletal risk exposure together with work-related accidents.
01 July 2010:
Psychological and physical factors aiding return to work of long-term absent
(Sweden / Information update)
A new study examines the psychological and physical aspects that can ease the transition back to work for people who are long-term absent. The study shows the importance of security, support and self-esteem, but also of physical factors such as economic security and good healthcare. A support system has to be individually adapted in order to be effective. The practical relevance of the study has increased due to new rules for sick leave instigated by the current government.
23 June 2010:
High levels of employment discrimination against Roma population
(Hungary / Information update)
It is estimated that 6%–7% of the Hungarian population are Roma, whose employment rate significantly lags behind the respective indicators of the non-Roma population. A complex set of factors lies behind the exclusion of the Roma population from the labour market, including a generally low level of education, regional segregation, effects of the economic transition and discrimination by employers, which many studies have highlighted.
23 June 2010:
Case study examines working conditions of women in large retail chains
(Poland / Information update)
The KARAT gender equality coalition of organisations and individuals has conducted a case study on working conditions and the observance of workers’ rights among female employees in supermarkets and hypermarkets. The research explored and identified the areas and most frequents forms in which workers’ rights were infringed, as well as looking at labour law in practice. Violations concerning working time and health and safety regulations were reported.