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Generali: EWC agreement renewed
New agreement.  On May 4, after about one year negotiating, Generali management and the EWC signed the 4th agreement renewal – the first one was in 1997.  “Through this agreement, the Parties aim...
United States: UAW tried to organize yet another foreign carmaker
At the end of May, Bernd Osterloh, head of Volkswagen’s works council, nipped the UAW’s attempt to unionize the Chattanooga plant, Tennessee, in the bud in March (see our dispatch No.  120199). ...
Germany: Employment Minister urges businesses to adopt “clear regulations” on the use of cell phones and computers outside of working hours
Soaring sick leaves.  Should employees read their work emails on their BlackBerry or computer during their free time?  Should they answer if their boss calls them during the weekend?  Since Ursula...
Italy: unions in logistics, merchandise transport and shipping approve unitary platform renewing their national collective agreement
On June 11, the Filt Cgil, Fit Cisl and Uiltrasporti unions approved a unitary platform for the renewal of the CCN in logistics, merchandise transport and shipping.  As regards pay, without giving...
Fiat/Chrysler: new meeting of the international union network
Success in the US.  The impact of the restructuring procedures, especially on heavy vehicles (Fiat Industrial, 53,000 workers) was subject to a heated debate between the different unions. ...
United States: General Motors wants to review pension payments to cut balance
The automaker already offered the new lump sums system to 42,000 white-collar retirees.  The proposal, made in the beginning of June, is supposed to consolidate the group’s finances.  GM has...
Denmark: government stops tripartite negotiations after metalworkers’ union refused to increase working time by removing public holidays
“We cannot and will not sign an agreement entailing the loss of national or paid holidays.  At a time of high unemployment, a working time increase is not acceptable.  However, we’re open to other...
France: new Supreme Court rules on obligation to translate key documents with an impact on industrial relations into French
Article L.1321-6 of the Labor Code provides that any document containing obligations for employees or provisions whose knowledge is necessary to perform work has to be written in French.  This...
Ireland: new Act transposes European directive on temporary work
Equality from the 1st day.  Transposing the EU temporary work directive now allows temporary workers in Ireland to enjoy equal treatment in their employment and working conditions with the...
Netherlands: new agreement for the compensation of a burned out employee
These are the highest damages ever awarded for burnout ever obtained by the FNV’s Bureau of Occupational Disease (Bureau Beroepziekten, BBZ).  In 2009, the Hertogenbosch court ruled that the...
Italy: unitary platforms approved for the renewal of collective agreements in chemistry-pharmacy, rubber-plastic, energy-oil, and gas-electricty
Following the guidelines approved on May 22 (see our dispatch No.  120346), all the platforms call for an industrial policy “able to revive growth and employment,” environmentally sustainable...
France: Areva signs agreement on quality of life at work
Philippe Vivien, Areva HR manager, said, “This agreement is the result of shared work between the trade unions, employees and management.  We opened talks after a joint diagnosis, shared with...
Slovenia: major reforms introduced under the Public Finance Balance Act affecting social security
The Public Finance Balance Act (PFBA) was subject to very intensive negotiations with public and also private sector trade unions that applied also additional protest measures (including strike)...
11 June 2012
Slovenia: major reforms introduced under the Public Finance Balance Act affecting social security
The Public Finance Balance Act (PFBA) was subject to very intensive negotiations with public and also private sector trade unions that applied also additional protest measures (including strike)...
Morocco: questioning the resumption of social dialogue 2012
Has dialogue truly resumed?  Before social dialogue was really reopened, the two union federations, CDT (Democratic Confederation of Labor) and FDT (Democratic Federation of Labor) published, on...
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1
EU: MEPs demand directive on algorithmic management
Members of the European Parliament have called for a directive on algorithmic management. Such legislation would introduce obligations for companies to inform employees, assess health and safety...
17 December 2025
2
France: minimum wage to rise by 1.18% on 1 January
On 12 December, the French government announced a 1.18% increase in the minimum wage, taking effect on 1 January 2026. The pay level will rise from €1,802 to €1,823 gross per month (for...
16 December 2025
3
United Kingdom: Parliament finally passes Employment Rights Bill
The UK Labour government's flagship reform of employment rights was passed by both houses on 16 December after a turbulent parliamentary process. The bill introduces numerous changes to labour...
18 December 2025
4
Argentina: government unveils labour reform
Argentina's ultra-liberal president Javier Milei wants to "modernise labour" with a new reform that has been greeted with opposition from trade unions. Submitted to the Senate on 11 December, the...
6 January 2026
5
Poland: reform introduces possibility of working for another employer while on sick leave
On 7 January, the President of Poland promulgated an amendment to the country’s social insurance act. The reform aims to clarify the activities permitted during sick leave, so that...
6
Spain: government wants 3.1% minimum wage hike
Spain's ministry of labour has informed the social partners of its intention to raise the minimum wage to €1,221 gross per month. This increase is expected to be approved by the Council of...
8 January 2026