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Netherlands: bill on equal treatment for precarious workers
The Dutch government wants to put an end to a labor market anomaly: excessive use of precarious workers paid below minimum wage.  The judges are increasingly touched by these “flexwerekers’...
14 May 2013
Spain: cleaning unions and employers sign the sector’s first national collective agreement
Representatives from the UGT and CCOO’s service federations and from the ASPEL and AFELIN employers’ organizations signed the agreement on May 9.  It is the result of long negotiations aimed at...
Portugal: government introduces 1% employers’ contribution to fund layoffs
The Portuguese Council of Ministers approved the introduction of two special layoff funds.  These guarantee funds paid for by businesses will ensure the payment of benefits even in case of...
13 May 2013
After two years of lobbying, Adidas agrees to pay compensation to the formers workers of its Indonesian subcontractor, PT Kizone
According to the Clean Clothes Campaign organization, Indonesian unions have won a “monumental victory” against the second largest sportswear manufacturer in the world – Adidas.  After refusing...
13 May 2013
Italy: Bastards and Poor’$, aka the anonymous initiative claiming to be the first rating agency for working conditions from the workers themselves
On May 1, anonymous activists launched the first “rating agency by workers and on work,” called Bastards and Poor’$, showing a clear bias.  Via this rating agency coming from workers’ appraisals...
13 May 2013
Denmark: social partners and labor inspectorate issue 22 recommendations to limit the negative impact restructurings have on the mental working environment
Last week, employers, unions and the labor inspectorate issued 22 recommendations to limit the negative impact restructurings and other changes have on workers’ mental health.  The goal is to...
Great Britain: after failing to create a big rail and road transport union with the RMT, TSSA is thinking about creating a big transport union with Unite
After the failure of talks to agree on a merger between the Transport Salaried Staff Association (TSSA) and the Rail, Maritime and Transport (RMT) union in 2012, the TSSA has announced that it...
Hungary: employment at all costs
In May 2010 when the Fidesz-KDNP won the national elections in the middle of the global economic crisis, it has promised the creation of one million jobs until 2020. 36 months later, pro rata...
7 May 2013
Austria: 3.2% wage increase for chemical workers
After three unavailing meetings, the social partners in the Austrian chemical industry finally agreed, on Friday, May 3, 2013, on a 3.2-3.3% wage increase for the sector’s 50,000 employees. ...
Belgium: more and more social conflicts
In 2012, the number of restructurings, bankruptcies and job losses in Belgium boomed, and so has the number of strikes.  Unions are multiplying actions and yet having a hard time getting heard. ...
Ireland: government threatens to force the public sector reform through
As expected, the negotiations launched in January to try and save 1 billion in the three years to come were hindered by rejection from government workers.  in the coming days, a mediator should...
Latvia: coming reform of the Union Act
Legal provisions governing union law have become obsolete and should be reviewed by the parties concerned.  Indeed, the Act passed in 1991, shortly after the fall of the pro-Soviet government, and...
6 May 2013
Sweden: debate over the government’s bill on tougher sanctions in case of non-compliance with working time or working conditions
On April 4, the government presented a bill aiming to introduce more effective sanctions against offenses to regulations governing working time and conditions.  Since this bill indirectly amends...
6 May 2013
Germany: 60,000 temporary jobs in jeopardy in the auto industry
Profits are going down for Daimler, Volkswagen and BMW.  The German carmakers, who until recently were doing quite well, are now being hit by the European crisis.  They want to maintain their...
EU: new budget heading to fund joint actions to improve social dialogue in EWCs
Like it does every year, the European Commission published a call for proposal on “information, consultation and participation of representatives of undertakings,” which can notably be used to...
3 May 2013
Italy: unity is back for the three largest union confederations
With the “crisis getting worse,” the Cgil, Cisl and Uil unions decided to stand united again.  Their first commitment in this direction, validated the day before May Day, was to decide on unitary...
Most viewed articles of the month on mind HR
What readers clicked on the most last month.
What readers clicked on the most last month.
1
France: sectors feel economic slowdown to differing degrees
The latest data on France’s occupational sectors (branches professionnelles), covering the year 2023, show how employment trends are shaping workplace dynamics. After a more favourable period for...
2
Germany: apprenticeship openings fall sharply in manufacturing and chemicals
From 1 January 2026, Dutch collective agreements for temporary employment agencies will alter the employment conditions of temp workers. Agencies will be required to pay these workers at least the...