Browse by subject - Employment status
17 May 2012: Support for disabled persons in the workplace (Romania / Information update)
A survey by Romania’s National Institute of Statistics conducted during the second quarter of 2011 revealed that 30.1% of all disabled persons aged 15–64 who had a job benefited from special services designed to help them do their work. Among these recipients, 74.3% received personal assistance, 9.5% received special equipment or adjustments to regular equipment, and 47.7% said that special working conditions existed or had been created for them at their workplace.
17 May 2012: Employment situation of disabled workers (France / Information update)
A 2008 Dares survey into the employment situation of people with some kind of official recognition of their disability found that 6% of the French population aged between 15 and 64 fell into this category. This group is characterised by having more men, older workers and a lower level of educational attainment than the total population. They also had lower rates of employment and activity, worked part-time more often and had less access to training.
03 May 2012: Impact of the informal economy on the labour market (Romania / Information update)
In 2011, Romanian national trade union confederation BNS published a report on the informal economy and its impact on the labour market. It shows that informal employment represents 31.4% of total employment in Romania. The distribution of informal employment by institutional sectors is 75.3% in the households sector, 0.7% in the formal sector and 24.0% in the informal sector. Subsistence rural households account for 96.4% of the household sector’s informal employment.
30 January 2012: Prevalence of temporary contracts among young people (Poland / Information update)
The report, ‘Youth of 2011’, presents a multidimensional picture of young Poles. It draws attention to the vulnerable labour market situation of those aged 15–34 and particularly those aged 15–24 whose employment prospects have been most affected by the economic crisis. Only Slovenia has a higher percentage of temporary contracts in the EU than Poland in the 15–24 age group. This domination of temporary contracts is causing increasing labour market segmentation.
05 December 2011: Health and safety of workers on fixed-term and temporary contracts (EU Level / Information update)
A report by the European Commission in July 2011 examines the impact of Council Directive 91/333/EC on improving the safety and health at work of those with a fixed-term or temporary contract. The report notes the relative lack of problems in transposing the directive by Member States but concludes that fixed-term and temporary workers are still comparatively more exposed to occupational health and safety risks than workers with other types of employment contracts.
30 September 2011: Sharp increase in flexible forms of labour (Greece / Information update)
The annual report from the Labour Inspectorate (SEPE) on its activities in 2010 was received with great interest as it is one of the few sources of statistical information about the situation in Greece’s labour market during the financial crisis. The report highlights the increase in the number of labour disputes since 2008 (particularly over payment) and shows that more and more full-time employment contracts are being converted into part-time or shift work contracts.
24 August 2011: Poor rewards for self-employed knowledge professionals (Italy / Information update)
According to a survey by the Institute of Economic and Social Research, self-employed knowledge professionals generally earn less than their colleagues working as employees, work longer hours and have poorer social security protection. The survey examined the annual earnings of over 4,000 knowledge professions in terms of their occupational status and professional profile. However, the survey design means that its results can only be considered indicative.
18 August 2011: Survey reveals increased precariousness of female employment (Bulgaria / Information update)
A recent survey in Bulgaria by the Agency for Social Surveys and Analyses found that 20% of female respondents worked in the informal economy without any contractual arrangement or social security, and that more than 40% had a second job. The most vulnerable group are young female employees. The feeling of job insecurity is significantly on the increase with 90% of female respondents believing they would be unable to find another job if they lost their current position.
05 August 2011: Impact of subcontracting on working conditions (France / Information update)
A report on subcontracting has been published by France’s Research and Statistics Department (DARES). The survey-based research examines the impact of subcontracting on working conditions and has found that the practice varies by sector and involves workforces with particular characteristics. Although subcontracted work is found to be more intense and risky, the levels of job satisfaction and job security are only slightly lower than in the economy generally.
28 July 2011: No improvement in stress rate of self-employed (Belgium / Information update)
The quality of working life for self-employed workers has not improved since 2007 in Flanders. Latest figures from a 2010 survey of 6,000 self-employed people show that, compared to 2007 figures, this quality – measured as the ‘workability rate’ – has remained at 48%. Members of one group describe themselves as highly motivated and having a lot of learning opportunities, while members of the other express concerns about stress and achieving a good work-life balance.
28 July 2011: Romania: EWCO CAR on Working conditions of nationals with a foreign background (Romania / National Contribution)
Except for the census data collected roughly every ten years, there very few other statistic surveys on employment and working conditions by ethnic groups. The Romanian economy’s international exposure and the advocating for the principles, mechanisms, and institutions specific for the four basic liberties are of a recent date. This explains why foreign investors and workers from other countries are still in modest numbers. In Romania there are several ethnic groups that settled hundreds of years ago in the national territory.The only ethnic group for which were reported some dificulties related to the integration on the labour market is the Roma population.
11 July 2011: Sick immigrant workers more likely to go to work (Spain / Information update)
Foreign workers in Spain are more likely than Spanish ones to turn up for work if they are unwell, a study has concluded. A study by the Institute for Work, Environment and Health (ISTAS) compared sickness presenteeism levels between Spanish-born and foreign-born workers. It found that presenteeism is higher among foreign-born workers, particularly among those who haven’t been in Spain long. This difference might be explained by immigrants’ precarious employment.
11 July 2011: Ethnic minorities’ jobs hardest hit by crisis (Bulgaria / Information update)
The economic crisis has had a significantly different impact on people in Bulgaria depending on their age, gender and ethnicity. The Crisis Monitoring Survey, carried out in 2010 by the Open Society Institute and the World Bank, reveals that the crisis affects Turks, Roma and native Bulgarians differently, depending on what jobs they do.. The decisive factors, in terms of the risks among the three ethnic groups, are employment status, legal status and their employment sector.
20 April 2011: Employment conditions of homeworkers (Bulgaria / Information update)
A survey conducted in 2010 for the Confederation of Independent Trade Unions in Bulgaria examined the homeworking sector which employs more than 500,000 people. Face-to-face interviews with 500 homeworkers confirmed the findings of previous surveys and revealed low pay (mainly at piece rate), long hours and poor working conditions. About 80% of the respondents were women and more than half were aged 50–65; 55% were self-employed and the rest worked under contract.
18 April 2011: Survey reveals employees’ apathy to their rights at work (Latvia / Information update)
The Free Trade Union Confederation of Latvia has published the results of its fourth population survey which investigated topics including inhabitants’ actions when their rights as employees are violated, occupational injuries from electrical equipment and compulsory medical check-ups. A comparison with the results of the 2009 survey suggests that the attitude of the inhabitants of Latvia towards their rights as employees is more indifferent than it was a year ago.
05 April 2011: The IAB Establishment Panel (Germany / Survey data report [ or view as 
size 136 kb])
The IAB Establishment Panel is an annual survey of 16,000 establishments in Germany that employ at least one worker who pays social security contributions. The survey, which is run by the Institute for Employment Research (IAB), was launched in western Germany in 1993 and extended to eastern Germany in 1996. It provides representative data and information on various aspects of employment such as employment development, personnel structures, wages, vocational training, working time and industrial relations. Data are made available to researchers via remote access or on-site to those visiting the Federal Employment Agency’s Research Data Centre at IAB.
29 March 2011: Part-time pensioners have long careers (Finland / Information update)
A new report from the Finnish Centre for Pensions uses data from pension registers to study the characteristics of recipients of part-time pensions who retired between 2005 and 2009. The study found that those retiring on a part-time pension had a higher income than their peers. It also found that the pre-retirement earnings of those retiring on a part-time pension were around 30% higher and that they had enjoyed careers at least as long as or longer than their peers.
11 February 2011: Flexible working time accounts prove their worth during the crisis (Germany / Information update)
A study by the Institute for Employment Research (IAB) shows that working time accounts were widely exploited by German companies between summer 2008 and autumn 2009 to combat the adverse impact of the economic crisis. Existing working time deposits decreased by 45 hours on average. In addition, a proportion of 60% or more of the employees in the majority of companies surveyed were affected by the use of working time accounts to reduce costs while avoiding redundancies.
21 January 2011: 50 years of change in employment (France / Information update)
The French workforce and employment structure has undergone considerable changes in the past 50 years. In the 1960s, the French workforce consisted mainly of low-qualified male workers employed on long-term contracts in large industrial companies, whereas today the composition and structure of the French labour market is more diverse with large numbers of women, more part-time, temporary and self-employed workers, and a shift from blue-collar to white-collar work.
10 January 2011: Fewer and shorter contracts for agency workers (Italy / Information update)
The 2009 annual report of the bipartite training fund, Forma.Temp, reveals a major reduction of temporary agency workers (TAWs) in Italy compared with 2008 and earlier in the decade with fewer and shorter contracts. A strong decline in the provision of contracts for TAWs for younger workers and in training provision for TAWs (particularly basic and on-the-job training) suggests that new entrants to the labour market have been the most affected by the current recession.
01 November 2010: Crisis impacts usage of fixed-term contracts (Germany / Information update)
Germany saw a moderate decline in fixed-term employment in 2008–2009 compared with the EU average. An analysis of data from the Institute for Employment Research (IAB) reveals restrictive use of fixed-term contracts by crisis-hit manufacturing industries paralleled by ongoing expansion in some service sectors. By 2009 almost half of all new employment contracts were temporary and fixed-term workers’ chances of gaining a permanent contract had dropped considerably.
11 October 2010: Glass ceiling effect of working time arrangements (Italy / Information update)
In 2008, Giancarlo Cerruti investigated the impact of changing working time arrangements on employees in a Turin hypermarket since an earlier survey in 1991. More employees now work part time, and both overtime and work at unsocial hours have increased. Women tend to do unskilled or semi-skilled jobs. The combined impact of differences in labour contracts and changing working time arrangements amounted to a striking gender bias in employment and occupational status.
04 October 2010: Rise in undeclared work 2004–2009 (Romania / Information update)
The statistical bulletin on labour and social protection for 2009 shows that inspections by the Romanian Labour Inspection Office to detect and control undeclared work accounted for over 80% of all its inspection routines on labour matters between 2004 and 2009. The number of employers found to have hired unregistered workers rose from 3,442 in 2004 to 8,500 in 2009. The number of individuals providing unrecorded work grew during the same period by more than 67%.
24 September 2010: Rising numbers of temporary employees and independent contractors (Netherlands / Information update)
The use of temporary employment contracts is a well-used labour market strategy in the Netherlands. Employers use them to explore the suitability of employees and temporary employees are often entrants to the labour market. In some sectors, organisations prefer to hire independent contractors who are generally highly motivated. Numbers of independent contractors and those on temporary contracts has been increasing since 1983, in absolute as well as relative terms.
17 August 2010: Failures of vocational training (Hungary / Information update)
The benefits of education in the labour market have been growing steadily and significantly since the regime change in Hungary in 1989. One exception is the decline in wage returns for vocational qualifications. Despite a sizeable demand for well-trained workers in several areas, the unemployment rate among skilled workers is high and many are forced into unskilled jobs. One reason is the low quality and lack of evolution of their vocational and educational training.
02 August 2010: New measure to help mothers return part time to the public sector (Hungary / Information update)
Mothers wishing to return to work face many difficulties. Promoting atypical forms of employment is one way of facilitating their reintegration into the labour market. On average, only 4.3% of employees in Hungary worked part time in 2008 compared with 17.6% in the EU27. New legislation seeks to address this low proportion by obliging public sector employers to allow part-time employment for women wishing to return to work before their child is three years of age.
01 June 2010: Survey reveals scale of hidden economy (Bulgaria / Information update)
A study conducted in 2007–2008 found that the size of the hidden economy in Bulgaria is considerably larger than official estimates. The economic sector with the largest hidden economy is construction, followed closely by wholesale and retail trade. The two most important indicators of the hidden economy are hidden labour and hidden economic activity by companies. Overall, 10.1% of employees have no contract, while 31.8% are hired on a contract with ‘hidden clauses’.
24 May 2010: Flexibility in contract arrangements but employment activation ineffective (Luxembourg / Information update)
The concept of flexicurity originated from the aim to find a balance between labour market flexibility and social security. The European Commission identifies four key components: flexible and reliable contractual arrangements; lifelong learning; active labour market policies; and modern social security systems. In Luxembourg, flexible arrangements are well established, whereas employment activation has been a controversial topic, according to study results.
13 May 2010: Development and structure of flexible forms of employment (Germany / Information update)
Since 2002, the German labour market has been subject to various reforms designed to stimulate job creation These reforms have provoked public debate on the growth of flexible employment and the possible negative consequences. A newly published study indicates that flexible forms of employment often serve as a stepping stone, helping unemployed persons to enter the labour market and workers in flexible employment to access regular jobs.
09 April 2010: New insights into gender inequalities at work (Germany / Information update)
Policies and practices of gender equality promotion at the workplace show insufficient results, according to the findings of a study by the Hans-Boeckler Foundation. The study, published in January 2010, is considered one of the most comprehensive pieces of research on gender gaps at establishment level in Germany to date. It concludes that not only management, but also works councils and trade unions, fall short in promoting gender equality in practice.
31 March 2010: Pathways to regular employment (Italy / Information update)
The project ‘In regola’ examines a wide range of good practices aiming to combat undeclared work and low health and safety provisions at company level. The most successful good practices devised by the social partners at company and especially at regional level jointly counter such issues. Strong regional differences are found. The existence of organised crime is a complicating factor in the effort to regularise employment and working conditions.
31 March 2010: Gender gap in Danish labour market is narrowing (Denmark / Information update)
Over the past decade, there has been an evident trend towards more gender equality in the Danish labour market. Regarding education, labour market participation and, to some degree, managerial positions, part-time working and the uptake of maternity or paternity leave, the gender gap is narrowing. However, differences in pay and occupational patterns of men and women may still be considered striking.
12 March 2010: Role of temporary work in company recruitment (Luxembourg / Information update)
A survey conducted on behalf of the Ministry of Labour and Employment in 2007 shows that temporary work is an important recruitment channel for companies in Luxembourg. Between 2004 and early 2007, 42% of enterprises which had recruited stated that they had used temporary workers. About 15% of these companies do so all or nearly all of the time, while 46% do so from time to time and 39% rarely do so.
08 March 2010: Spotlight on informal employment (Romania / Information update)
In July 2008, the Development Centre of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development published a report on informal employment and its different forms in Romania, based on data analysis. It also looks at the characteristics of people in informal employment and the economic sectors where such employment is most prevalent. The study presents policy options and measures to deal with informal employment especially for vulnerable groups of workers.
08 March 2010: Women and part-time work (Austria / Information update)
An analysis of secondary data on part-time work and women shows that part-time employment is responsible for the increase of female employment in Austria. Women working part time often have a low level of education, which is also reflected in their occupational status. Childcare and caring for elderly people is the main reason for women taking on a part-time job. Concerning income, female part-timers not only earn less an hour than women working full time, but they also earn less than men.
05 March 2010: Flexible forms of work: ‘very atypical’ contractual arrangements (TRANS NATIONAL / Comparative analytical report [ or view as size 263 kb])
This report examines the recent evolution of some specific flexible employment contractual arrangements in the EU Member States and Norway. Within the broader category of ‘non-standard forms of work’, the overview focuses on the ‘very atypical’ forms of work, namely: part-time work of fewer than 10 hours a week, very short fixed-term contracts, zero hours working and non-written contracts. Despite the difficulty in obtaining data, the study highlights the increase in the use of these different types of contractual arrangements and the sectoral specificities that exist Europe wide. The study explores actions which seek to guarantee both flexibility and security in the labour market through a degree of regulation and monitoring of these forms of work. The use of very atypical work raises particular challenges, especially in terms of health and safety,the risk of poverty and the propensity for undeclared work. Social partners as well as policymakers still have to address these challenges.
05 February 2010: Effects of economic crisis on labour market (Greece / Information update)
An analysis by the Labour Institute of the Greek General Confederation of Labour focuses on the impact of the economic crisis on the Greek labour market. It appears that the economic crisis has mostly affected men in regular paid employment in the private sector, particularly in the construction and manufacturing sectors. The crisis has also led to a significant increase in part-time employment, as well as a marginal increase in self-employment.
07 December 2009: Factors preventing young people from continuing in education (Austria / Information update)
A quantitative survey among young people aged 15–24 years aimed to identify the main risk factors for this age group to leave education after compulsory schooling. The most important factors include the opportunity to follow further education of one’s choice, language, place of residence and the parents’ level of education. Moreover, less educated young people are less satisfied with various aspects of their job situation than their better educated counterparts.
02 December 2009: Impact of parenthood on careers of young men and women (France / Information update)
According to the ‘Generation 98’ survey findings, the work-life organisation of parents after the birth of children results in a contrasted picture of men’s and women’s professional development, noticeably for less qualified people. Young fathers invest more than young mothers in their professional life: their average income increases with the number of children, while their contribution to housework tends to decline. For young mothers, the reverse is true.
20 November 2009: Women workers make up majority of ‘700-euro generation’ (Greece / Information update)
A survey conducted on behalf of the Greek General Confederation of Labour outlines the profile of the ‘700-euro generation’, that is, workers with net monthly pay of less than €750. These are mainly women aged 18–24 years, who are not organised in trade unions, do not take part in strikes and work as paid employees in the private sector. The survey also found that economically dependent work is common among young workers in particular.
05 October 2009: International operations of companies and impact on workers (Austria / Information update)
Two interrelated studies, commissioned by the Austrian Chamber of Labour, analysed the impact of internationalisation and whether employees benefit from it, as well as the effects of the economic crisis on Austria’s top 300 companies. The first study found that a majority of companies stabilised or boosted employment due to internationalisation, but employees benefited little from the profits. The second study showed that 50% of the companies are feeling the full blow of the economic crisis.
05 October 2009: Working conditions and quality of life in Spanish workplaces (Spain / Survey data report [ or view as size 92 kb])
The Sixth National Survey on Working Conditions reveals that almost one quarter of workers consider that their work is affecting their health, and almost three quarters suffer from musculoskeletal disorders. In addition, 71% consider that they are exposed to some kind of risk in the workplace. In general, the most affected occupational groups from more demanding working conditions are healthcare staff, construction workers, farmers, drivers, stockbreeders and fishermen. On the other hand, the 2007 survey on Quality of Life in the Workplace shows that 70.6% of Spanish workers are either satisfied or very satisfied with their job. The survey also reveals that significant differences remain between the sexes in caring activities with children.
14 September 2009: Global crisis could reverse decline in hidden economy (Bulgaria / Information update)
The hidden economy continued its downward path in 2008, according to the latest regular survey of the Centre for the Study of Democracy. The study covers a period of seven years and is based on the methodology and surveys of Vitosha Research. In 2008, the hidden economy index had declined by 32% compared with 2002, due to a reduction in all of its components. However, there is a risk that the informal economy may expand again in the context of the global economic crisis.
01 September 2009: Significant increase in labour market participation of older workers (Spain / Information update)
In May 2009, the trade union research institute, Fundación 1º de Mayo, issued a study on the labour market participation rate of people aged 55–64 years and their career paths. It shows that the activity and employment rates of this population group have increased significantly in the past 10 years, although gender differences remain. The report identifies some of the main elements that influence the participation of this age group in the labour market.
05 August 2009: Atypical employment forms on the rise in Austria (Austria / Information update)
In 2008, the Austrian Institute of Economic Research published a study entitled ‘Work forms in Austria: Legal and quantitative aspects’. The study revealed a strong increase of atypical employment forms since 2000 in Austria. These atypical employment forms are characterised by reduced social protection and significant gender differences. Nevertheless, standard employment remains the dominant form of employment in the country.
11 May 2009: Impact of economic crisis on unemployed people (Spain / Information update)
Among unemployed people in Spain, those less qualified find it more difficult to get a job, even though they are willing to accept any kind of post. On the other hand, experienced and qualified unemployed people are currently not willing to accept a job in a lower occupational category. Meanwhile, jobs are becoming scarcer and the numbers unemployed continue to grow. By the end of 2008, Spain had an unemployment rate of almost 14%.
02 April 2009: Assessing the nature and extent of undeclared work (Portugal / Information update)
A study carried out in 2003 in Portugal’s construction sector explored the prevalence of undeclared work. Taking national Employment Survey data and the opinions of key observers as a reference, the study estimates that non-declared work represents between 15% and 37% of total labour in the construction sector. The informal economy is particularly attractive to jobseekers with fewer skills, migrant workers and unemployed people.
26 March 2009: UK: The occupational promotion of migrant workers (United Kingdom / National Contribution)
The UK contribution to this study on migrant workers begins by outlining the relevant and available data on migrant workers in the UK. It then notes the various public policies on the occupational promotion of migrant workers in the UK, before recording a series of region and sector specific ‘best practice’ guides to the occupational promotion of migrant workers in the UK. It concludes with a summary of the state of the occupational promotion of migrant workers in the UK.
23 February 2009: New research on call centre industry (Malta / Information update)
In 2008, the Employment and Training Corporation commissioned a study focusing on Malta’s growing call centre industry. The study aimed to gain a better insight into the current state of the industry in terms of employment and skills requirements. It also includes a special focus on the industry in the Maltese island of Gozo. The study encompasses a range of findings – including on type of employment contracts, remuneration levels and extent of staff turnover.
22 December 2008: More jobs but less employment security in retail sector (Greece / Information update)
A report by the National Confederation of Greek Traders presents an analysis of the main features of employment in the wholesale and retail trade sector. Although the sector remains attractive for working women and young people, the research reveals that the number of permanent jobs among young employees has declined in 2007, compared with the previous year. This is mainly due to an increase in the number of temporary employment positions.
06 October 2008: Bogus self-employment found to be on the rise (Czech Republic / Information update)
A recent survey estimates that the economic activity of 100,000 self-employed workers in the Czech Republic bears the marks of bogus self-employment. Although these workers are legally self-employed, such jobs include no managerial or proprietary tasks. The rise of this phenomenon is mainly attributed to more favourable tax benefits for employers, a desire to transfer internal activities and business risks onto subcontractors, and entrepreneurial concepts based on cheap labour.
18 September 2008: High incidence of atypical work among women (Italy / Information update)
The 2008 report on atypical work by the Institute of Economic and Social Research explored in detail the employment situation of women. It found that, in general, women are over-represented in atypical employment and have less job stability than their male counterparts. Moreover, although women’s employment rate is increasing, it is characterised by strong regional differences and a propensity to work part time.
08 August 2008: Use and abuse of non-standard employment contracts (Italy / Information update)
A survey based on the results of the 2006 Participation, Labour, Unemployment Survey (Plus), carried out by the Vocational Training Development Agency in Italy, investigated the reasons for using non-standard employment contracts. By mapping over 40 types of employment contracts resulting from the 2003 labour market reform, the survey reveals that a large proportion of fixed-term and freelance contracts are used when a standard employment contract would be more appropriate.
08 August 2008: Employment experiences of Bulgarian migrant workers (Bulgaria / Information update)
A survey of Bulgarian return migrants – people who had left Bulgaria to work abroad and later returned home – sheds light on their sociodemographic profile and employment experience abroad. It finds that most return migrants are men and under the age of 45 years, with at least a secondary education. Most leave Bulgaria with a job already arranged in the host country, typically in economic sectors such as agriculture, transport, tourism or construction.
11 June 2008: Inspections find numerous cases of illegal work (Slovakia / Information update)
In the second half of 2007, the Slovak National Labour Inspectorate conducted inspections at over 2,400 workplaces to monitor whether workers were being employed illegally. It found over 650 cases of illegal work, a figure which has remained almost unchanged compared with the same period for 2006. The main legal infringements detected were failures to report employment for social insurance purposes and to provide employment contracts. The economic sectors most affected were wholesale and retail trade, and hotels and restaurants.
03 June 2008: Transnational nature of temporary agency work (Luxembourg / Information update)
The number of temporary agency workers has risen steadily in Luxembourg since 1999. This development can be explained by the increasingly cyclical and seasonal nature of labour demand, which is also observable in other countries. Temporary agency work reflects the country’s upwards trend in employment, but at a much faster pace. Cross-border workers often participate in this form of work, and external companies frequently source their workers in Luxembourg.
03 June 2008: Significant gap between students’ employment expectations and reality (Cyprus / Information update)
A recent study by the Economics Research Centre at the University of Cyprus investigates students’ expectations regarding their future employment and salary, in addition to graduates’ opportunities to participate in the labour market and their actual salaries. The findings show that students hold both unrealistic and realistic expectations in these respects. The study discusses policy recommendations for achieving a better match between expectations and reality.
30 April 2008: Women and undeclared work (Italy / Information update)
Undeclared work is a persistent feature of the Italian labour market, according to the Vocational Training Development Agency. Women represent a greater proportion of workers in undeclared work than those in the formal labour market and they are mainly engaged in domestic and care work. Most women accept undeclared work because of the lack of suitable opportunities in the formal economy, while some regard such work as a stepping stone towards formal employment.
07 April 2008: Factors for sustained organisational commitment among temporary employees (Finland / Information update)
According to the ongoing research project by the Finnish Institute of Occupational Health, entitled ‘Work and health among Finnish hospital personnel’, organisations that employ temporary workers should pay attention to the job control and career prospects of such staff. The results of an internationally published study showed that factors such as being aged over 35 years, high job control, high perceived fairness in decision-making and low psychological strain predicted sustained organisational commitment.
17 March 2008: Relationship between ICT workers and trade unions (Portugal / Information update)
Even in sectors with a strong trade union presence, such as financial services, telecommunications and retail trade, most workers dealing with information and communication technologies (ICT) in Portugal – such as clerks and call centre operators – are not or have no desire to be union members. This is a finding of research into such workers, which argues that new and all-inclusive collective bargaining practices covering all types of employment contracts would be desirable for these workers.
25 February 2008: Survey analyses differences between precarious and atypical work (Germany / Information update)
A survey by the Institute of Economic and Social Research measured the precarity of various atypical employment forms. Atypical workers face higher social risks than workers in standard employment, but the risks vary depending on the form of employment. In terms of employment stability, precarity is more widespread among permanent full-time workers than among permanent contingent and part-time workers.
29 January 2008: Study reveals gap in labour market supply and demand (Latvia / Information update)
A recent study reveals serious gaps in the supply and demand of labour. On the supply side, a decline in the overall population, including those of working age, is observed, while the age and gender structure is unbalanced. On the demand side, the economy’s transformation from an industry-based to a service-based structure requires a new quality workforce. Employers will have to plan for a future with fewer workers available.
10 December 2007: Working conditions among Polish workers found to be substandard (Norway / Information update)
According to a recent survey carried out among Polish migrants in the Oslo area, significant disparities emerge between different groups of Polish workers. Posted workers and workers who operate in the illegal labour market are more often subject to substandard wages and working conditions. The situation is better for Poles within the legal labour market, although they are still paid less than Norwegians are.
10 December 2007: Tackling the high level of undeclared work (Latvia / Information update)
In 2007, the first specialised study of unregistered employment or undeclared work in Latvia was published, covering the entire country in terms of occupation, economic sector, region, sex and other aspects. The research concludes that, in 2006, on average 24% of the employed population worked without an employment contract or for undeclared pay. Streamlining the tax system and establishing a coordinating administrative authority are among the study recommendations.
19 November 2007: ILO underlines need to promote equality at work (EU Level / Information update)
A recent International Labour Organization report provides a global picture of job-related discrimination, ranging from traditional forms such as sex, race or religion, to newer forms based on age and sexual orientation. It points to the need for better enforcement of anti-discrimination legislation, as well as non-regulatory initiatives by governments and enterprises, and for equipping the social partners to be more effective in making equality a workplace reality.
13 August 2007: Boundaries of entrepreneurship and salaried work overlap (Finland / Information update)
Entrepreneurship and salaried work have traditionally been regarded as two different career paths in Finland. However, a recent study reveals that in some occupational groups the boundaries between these two occupations overlap. The work of freelance journalists, artists, translators and interpreters, for example, is typically characteristic of both entrepreneurship and salaried work. The study findings challenge the country’s educational, legislative and social security systems.
16 July 2007: Barriers to women’s participation in decision-making positions (Malta / Information update)
The National Council of Women commissioned a study to examine the views of the general public with regard to the participation of women in decision-making jobs. Childcare responsibilities are viewed as the most significant obstacle faced by women in obtaining decision-making posts. While most respondents believe that there should be a gender balance in parliamentary and local council representation, a minority think that men are more suitable for such posts.
09 July 2007: Low degree of working time flexibility (Bulgaria / Information update)
The official labour market in Bulgaria remains relatively inflexible with regard to working time. Despite labour law amendments granting employers the freedom to reduce or increase working time and to offer part-time and flexible working arrangements, only about 2% of employees work part time and 3% work on temporary contracts. Other flexible arrangements in companies are rare.
02 July 2007: Union calls for equal rights for temporary agency workers (United Kingdom / Information update)
In February 2007, the Trades Union Congress published a report on the employment conditions of temporary agency workers. The report sets out the legal position of agency workers, and makes suggestions for future legislation aimed at improving their labour market position. The proposals include the demand of equal employment rights for all workers and employees, and of licensing all employment agencies, as well as abolishing unreasonable fees.
18 June 2007: School-to-work transition of young people (Malta / Information update)
The Employment and Training Corporation published a report on the school- to-work transition of young people in Malta. According to the findings, young people seem to manage this transition without difficulty. Work-related outcomes appear to be influenced by the sex of the individual, the type of school attended, the level of education and the father’s occupation.
31 May 2007: Place of work and working conditions – Belgium (Belgium / National Contribution)
This report gives insights into the quality of work of people, working most of the time at places other than the company’s premises. What is the ‘effect’ of this other place of work on working conditions? This question is for Belgium surveyed by focusing on 4 types of occupation: teleworkers, construction workers, home carers and temporary agency workers. Although place of work is no important issue of policy debate in Belgian, some important, specific problems can be detected: higher safety risk in construction, labour conditions of (foreign) temporary agency workers, isolation and higher risk of client aggression, commuting problems and longer, irregular working hours.
31 May 2007: Employment and working conditions of migrant workers — Cyprus (Cyprus / National Contribution)
This article is Cyprus’s contribution to the comparative analytical report of the European Working Conditions Observatory on the existing situation regarding the working conditions of migrant workers.
14 May 2007: Low participation of women in the labour market (Cyprus / Information update)
In 2006, the Mediterranean Institute of Gender Studies produced a shadow report to the Cypriot government report for the United Nations Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women. The report’s basic findings cover the labour force participation rate of women, gender pay issues and the unemployment rate among women, and include some measures proposed for dealing with these matters.
07 May 2007: Increase in flexible forms of work (Slovenia / Information update)
The most frequently used flexible forms of work in Slovenian companies in 2004 were fixed-term employment, overtime, shift work and weekend work. These forms of work were not only used by the large majority of organisations but also affected a high proportion of employees in those enterprises. The least frequently used flexible forms of work were home-based work, telework, a condensed working week, contracts based on annual working hours and job sharing.
27 April 2007: More people working and fewer accidents at work (Poland / Information update)
The Polish Ministry of the Economy has published a report setting out data concerning economic activity and inactivity, job security and the social insurance system. It shows that the situation continues to improve with regard to combating unemployment, and it also examines the incidence of accidents in the workplace and resulting compensation claims. However, the continuing emigration of young, well-educated workers and the low average retirement age remain of particular concern.
23 April 2007: Factors influencing type of employment contract (Luxembourg / Information update)
The Living in Luxembourg socioeconomic panel survey, which is carried out annually on a representative sample of residents in Luxembourg, identifies the links between the type of employment contract (open-ended or fixed-term) and factors such as age, professional experience, educational background, economic sector and size of company. Although, in overall terms, most workers resident in Luxembourg are on open-ended contracts, there is considerable variation regarding access to the two types of contract.
16 April 2007: Unpaid work prevalent in agricultural sector (Romania / Information update)
Unpaid work is mainly found in subsistence agriculture in Romania. In 2005, 97.5% of unpaid family workers worked in agriculture, while the remaining 2.5% worked either in commerce (1.3%) or other sectors (1.2%). Distribution of workers by sex indicates a higher percentage of women among unpaid family workers, at 72.3%, while distribution by area reveals a higher density of such workers in rural areas, at 94%.
14 March 2007: Impact of job control and demands on temporary and permanent workers (Belgium / Information update)
A recent Belgian study explored the role of autonomy and workload in relation to job satisfaction, organisational commitment and life satisfaction. Based on an analysis of the responses of temporary and permanent employees, the study found that there was a difference in the views of temporary and permanent employees to the issues of autonomy and workload. It appears that, when it comes to job satisfaction and organisational commitment among temporary workers, autonomy is not an influencing factor. Moreover, with regard to their life satisfaction, workload is not a determining element. However, for permanent employees, the opposite was shown to be true.
02 March 2007: Work and employment in the creative industries (Austria / Information update)
Between July 2004 and January 2007, Joanneum Research and FORBA carried out a research project focusing on work and employment in selected subsectors of the ‘creative industries’ in the capital city, Vienna. The five subsectors examined were advertising, architecture, design (graphic, product and fashion), film, radio and video, and multimedia. As part of the project, a quantitative survey was carried out among 910 workers in Vienna’s creative industries.
19 February 2007: Occupational mobility on the increase (France / Information update)
In December 2006, the National Institute for Statistics and Economic Studies (INSEE) published an analysis of its surveys on education and professional qualification, focusing on occupational mobility among workers aged between 30 and 54 years. The analysis found that the occupational mobility of workers is most pronounced among those aged between 30 and 34 years, which partially reflects a compensation for the relegation of young workers in the first year of their careers. The upward mobility observed mainly concerns men and low-skilled workers, while downward mobility, which was almost non-existent in the 1980s, has become a more significant phenomenon among higher skilled workers and women since the end of the 1990s.
05 February 2007: Impact of economic situation on employment prospects of young people (France / Information update)
Data collected since the 1970s on employment rates and employment conditions – such as wages, job–skills match and type of contract – reveal that economic fluctuations have negatively affected young workers more than other workers. Furthermore, beyond these fluctuations, a significant change has taken place over the 30-year period: young workers, but also newly recruited workers of any age, are increasingly being hired on more precarious employment contracts, such as temporary, part-time or fixed-term contracts. In all, only a quarter of these workers progress to a more stable work status, namely towards permanent full-time employment.
12 December 2006: Increase in low-wage ‘marginal’ part-time jobs (Germany / Information update)
A March 2006 study by the Institute for Work and Technology provides a new insight into the presence of low-wage earners among part-time workers and ‘marginal’ part-time workers (those working less than 15 hours per week). It reveals that the rising number of low-wage earners in Germany is linked to regulatory changes in 2003, which brought about a rapid increase in marginal part-time jobs, so-called ‘mini’ and ‘midi’ jobs.
13 November 2006: Improved quality of work for casual workers (Hungary / Information update)
Employment by means of the ‘casual employee booklet’ is an atypical, legal form of employment in Hungary. It allows for the recording of short-term or occasional employment, and is advantageous both for the employer and the employee. Through use of this booklet, the administrative burden related to employment is reduced for the employer, while the employee becomes entitled to receive medical care, pension insurance and a jobseeker’s allowance.
23 October 2006: Analysing the socioeconomic dimensions of employment (Latvia / Information update)
In recent times, it has come to light that the government lacks adequate information about job creation, job retention and job losses, as well as occupational structures, and sectoral and regional aspects. This is needed for the purpose of drafting employment policy documents, in particular with a view to Latvia meeting the targets of the EU Lisbon Strategy. In order to fill this gap in knowledge, in 2004 the Ministry of Economy commissioned research into the socioeconomic aspects of employment, which would analyse the methodology used to capture employment statistics. The study includes wide ranging statistics on jobs and employment, and a detailed explanation of labour market data. It offers a unique combination of economic and statistical approaches for analysing labour market issues.
25 September 2006: Positive effects of works councils on working conditions (Austria / Information update)
Employees in companies with works councils show higher job satisfaction and have higher salaries and greater job stability than staff in companies without works councils. These study findings can be used as a strong argument for the European social model, in which representative employee participation, social partnership and high standards of working conditions play a crucial role.
11 September 2006: Improving access to employment and combating child labour (Romania / Information update)
In a 2005 survey on attitudes to education and training, child labour and undeclared work, most survey respondents underlined the importance of education in enabling access to the labour market. The study analysed labour market trends in terms of the gap between demand and supply, particularly in relation to qualification levels. Focusing on disadvantaged areas within four regions – including the capital, Bucharest – the analysis identified significant information and education gaps, as well as ambivalence towards some forms of child labour.
03 July 2006: Fixed-term contracts still common in public sector (Finland / Information update)
Although the use of fixed-term contracts has decreased in Finland since its peak in 1997, it is still widespread by European standards. A recent study divides fixed-term employment into two categories: conventional and modern. Unlike conventional fixed-term employment, modern fixed-term contracts are used for jobs and tasks that do not intrinsically require them. This applies especially to women working in the public sector. Moreover, tightened legislation concerning the use of fixed-term contracts has led to an increased use of temporary agency work instead.
16 December 2005: Status of self-employed people (Spain / Information update)
In Spain, there are approximately 3.4 million self-employed people, representing 18% of the total working population. Spanish self-employed people are more likely to be men, between 40 and 49 years old, and usually set up their business in the service sector. In addition, they work more hours than employees do and have lower educational attainment.
21 November 2005: Teleworking at home (Germany / Information update)
A study on teleworking at home explores the motivations of employees and employers in adopting this form of work. It also examines the impact of telework on work organisation, work–life balance and work values. Four main types of telework can be distinguished.
09 November 2005: Temporary employment in the Spanish labour market (Spain / Information update)
The Spanish labour market is characterised by a high level of temporary employment, especially in comparison with the EU average. Women, young people, workers with low educational levels, and those working in particular economic sectors are more likely to have a temporary employment contract.
12 October 2005: Women’s entrepreneurship in rural areas (Estonia / Information update)
A 2004 study investigates women’s satisfaction in being entrepreneurs, and explores the reasons why they start their own business. It also considers the main problems and obstacles facing entrepreneurship.
16 September 2005: Psychosocial well-being, work situation and unemployment (Sweden / Information update)
Women report lower psychosocial well-being than men do, while psychosocial well-being is more clearly connected to the work situation for men than for women. These are the findings of a study examining the relationship between self-reported psychosocial well-being of five groups in various work situations.
05 August 2005: Factors influencing productivity in companies (Portugal / Information update)
Between 1993 and 2002, medium and large companies in Portugal underwent significant changes in the composition of the workforce and working conditions. In the face of significant positive and negative effects on productivity, non-permanent employment contracts became more popular, while company investment in human capital generally decreased.
22 November 2004: Job insecurity still high in Spain (Spain / Information update)
Data for 2003 reveal that 70% of people starting a job are not there one year later. Additionally, 15.5% of all Spanish employees experienced a break in employment over a three-month period. Women, young workers and non-qualified manual workers are most affected by involuntary job breaks.
24 August 2004: Temporary agency work in the European Union (EU Countries / Topic report [ or view as size 95 kb])
Overall dissatisfaction with their working conditions and job situation among temporary agency workers would seem to indicate the existence of poor working conditions among this group. However, specific health and quality of work indicators paint a more ambiguous picture. They reveal that the main reasons behind this dissatisfaction are the insecurity inherent in this form of employment and the fact that temporary agency work may often be taken up involuntarily.
21 June 2004: Changing face of self-employment in Spain (Spain / Information update)
The rates of self-employment in Spain have decreased slightly in recent years, despite remaining higher than the EU average. Recent figures indicate that an increasing proportion of the self-employed are women, and the group is reporting higher levels of educational attainment. The proportion of self-employed people in new sectors and occupations is growing.
04 June 2004: Increasing employment rates of people with disabilities (Denmark / Information update)
A new report from the Danish National Institute of Social Research (Socialforskningsinstituttet, SFI) shows that, while there is a legal framework for retaining and integrating disabled people in the labour market, lack of knowledge about specific public schemes on the part of the relevant actors has so far constituted a barrier to improving employment levels among this group.
26 April 2004: Increase in permanent employment in Spain (Spain / Information update)
According to the Spanish Labour Force Survey, the proportion of workers with permanent contracts continued to grow during 2003, while the temporary employment ratio fell slightly, both across age groups and genders. There was a small increase in the level of part-time work.
01 December 2003: Quality of work and employment (EU Level / Information update)
The European Commission’s Employment in Europe 2003 report examines the subject of quality of work. In relation to this topic, it identifies relevant indicators and labour market dynamics, such as flexible working arrangements. Overall, it finds that quality of work did not improve significantly across the EU Member States in the period 1996-2000.