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France: administrative directive clarifies procedure for offering redeployment abroad within the framework of economic layoffs
Equal pay.  Until the Act of May 18, 2010, employers had to offer any redeployment opportunity within the group, abroad as well, for a similar position or, where appropriate and subject to the...
Brazil: DGB German union confederation to open office in Sao Paulo
The German DGB will open an office in Brazil in partnership with the Central Workers’ Union (Central Unica dos Trabalhadores, CUT) and the Social Observatory Institute (Instituto Observatorio...
21 March 2011
Germany: GDL union signs federal framework agreement for rail freight train drivers
Wages in line with the Deutsche Bahn’s.  “On March 16th, the GDL adopted with private freight rail companies, without a single strike, the federal framework agreement for train drivers...
EU: report clarifies future skills needs in electricity
Challenges.  The report reminds the double environmental and demographic challenge the electricity industry is faced with: on the one hand, the EU has committed to reduce its CO2 emissions; on the...
18 March 2011
Sweden: agreement only just reached in banking and finance
Long and stormy negotiations with the economic crisis in the background.  Opened in October 2010, the talks lasted and led to an extension of the previous agreement which should have expired on...
Spain: call-center unions call for 8 days of strike
The FeS-UGT and Comfia-CCOO unions blame the employers’ organization for using blackmail by agreeing to sign the new collective agreement only if unions accept a new layoff arrangement. Employers...
Great Britain: Unite union threatens Ford with strike
In early January 2010, Ford informed Unite that it intended to use the CPI (consumer price index) to calculate its inflation linked increases to its pension scheme payments, rather than the...
Romania: adoption of the new Labor Code
Code adopted.  Entitled “Against the Boc Code, low wages, high unemployment and bankrupting businesses,” the motion of censure introduced by the social-democratic and liberal opposition wasn’t...
Austria: government introduces quota of 35% of women on the boards of public companies
“It may only be an Austrian-style solution but it’s a good compromise” declared social-democratic Minister for Women Gabriele Heinisch-Hosek when presenting, on Tuesday, March 15, 2011 in Vienna...
Germany: employees allowed to cut workweek down to 15 hours to care for dependent person
On February 17th, the parties in power (CDU/CSU and FDP) agreed on a bill allowing employees, starting on January 1, 2012, to cut their workweek by 50% to take care of a dependent relative...
Norsk Hydro: new global framework agreement
The Norwegian energy group, which also operates in aluminum, Norsk Hydro, recently signed a framework agreement “for the development of good working relations” in the company.  The Norwegian State...
Eiffage: agreement renewing the EWC
Since it was created in 1998, the construction and public works company has deliberately been promoting union representation within its EWC and is used to working with the EFBWW, which has a...
EU: electricity social partners point to the social dimension of the EU’s external energy policy
Joint response.  Eurelectric for employers and the EPSU and EMCEF for unions point to the social dimension of the EU’s policy in this area.  They particularly request that the European strategy...
Spain: home stretch for the debate on the collective bargaining reform
The prolongation of collective agreements reaching their deadline.  Employers wanted the removal of the automatic prolongation of collective agreements until the signature of the next agreement...
EU: euro area States commit to take measures so wages evolve in line with productivity
The 17 countries in the euro area gave their consent, on Saturday morning, to a Pact aiming to bring their economic policies closer, to avoid a new debt crisis in Europe.  Under pressure from...
Netherlands: heavier sanctions against cheating businesses
On March 10th, Minister of Labor and Social Affairs Henk Kamp sent a letter to the Parliament explaining the need to punish businesses that don’t comply with labor law.  The Minister mostly wants...
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1
France: Medef puts forward proposals to improve management quality
On 31 August, Medef, French main employers' organisation, published a practical guide to managerial skills, which it considers to be a driver of economic performance for businesses. Concerned by...
2
AI: uneven integration but a global challenge for the world of work
The adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) in business is profoundly transforming the world of work, and some occupations are now under threat. However, the full extent of its effects remains...
3
France: Ministry of Labour unveils plan to accelerate the rollout of AI
On 22 September, the French Ministry of Labour presented a plan named Impulsion IA 2027 aimed at accelerating the adoption of AI by companies and employees. It contains 12 measures applicable from...
4
Germany: AfD victory in Saxony-Anhalt raises concerns over labour supply and workplace cohesion
The rise of Germany’s far-right AfD, which could soon gain influence over migration policy in Saxony-Anhalt and, following elections on September 20, in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania as well, is...
5
Netherlands: towards a ban on housing cost deductions from migrant workers’ wages
The news. On September 10, Dutch Minister of Social Affairs and Employment Hans Vijlbrief (centre-left) sent a letter to the House of Representatives, stating that he intends to prohibit employers...
6
UE: Commission proposes measures to facilitate “fair” worker mobility across the Union
The info. On 15 September, the European Commission adopted a series of measures aimed at encouraging “fair” worker mobility within the EU. It wants to remove the administrative...