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Italy: last Censis report shows the country is “flattened” and “without vigor”
A country without laws or desire, sliding under “a wave of unbalanced impulses” which no longer trusts the leading classes, is the image coming from the 44th report published by Censis, the...
8 December 2010
Spain: first meetings between employers and unions on the reform of collective bargaining
It could be difficult to bring both parties’ views together and labor market experts aren’t very optimistic as to the outcome of the negotiations.  While unions and employers are in favor of a...
Romania: amended pension reform passed
New draft.  The Romanian Parliament finally adopted what should be the final draft of the pension reform on Tuesday, December 7th.  A few weeks ago, president Traian Basescu refused to promulgate...
Sweden: a study by the working environment authority found that 200 people die following professional stress each year
A report that links causes of death and working conditions. Arbetsmiljöverket presented, on November 18, 2010, an overview of work-related deaths that aren’t industrial accidents.  It seems they...
8 December 2010
Denmark: report on the evolution of businesses’ social commitment in a crisis situation
The crisis influences social commitment. While, in 2007, 35% of employees said that colleagues with reduced capacities kept their job, this rate dropped to 29% in 2009.  Meanwhile those who say...
7 December 2010
EU: Belgian presidency seeks the path of compromise on maternity leave
“A very large majority of Member States considers that, with the extension and, notably, compensation, the European Parliament has gone a little too far” Joelle Milquet said to sum up the...
Germany: IG-Metall demands a 6% increase for Volkswagen’s employees
Disagreement over the next wage increase.  “This is a very bad joke…  They can’t sell us what we already have” declared the chairman of Volkswagen’s central WC and IG-Metall member, Bernd...
EU: 13 action tracks to improve employment and skills
Flexicurity.  Regarding the labor market, the strategy proposes boosting flexicurity by strengthening its four components – the introduction of flexible and reliable contractual arrangements...
Italy: Fiat leaves negotiating table with unions on the future of the Mirafiori site
Ambitious program. With an investment of over €1 billion and a new joint venture with Chrysler, Fiat wants to double  production at Mirafiori, going from 120,000 cars currently to over 250,000...
Ireland: after the Greeks, the Irish are going to test Brussels’ will to be more directive on labor market reforms in the name of financial and economic stability
The Irish State is tied.  The government had already flagged some of these changes, imposed by a Memorandum of Understanding signed with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the European...
Spain: government plans to open jobseeker placement to temporary agencies
This announcement is in line with the Labor Reform voted on September 9th (see our dispatch No.  100628) and with the government’s will to make active employment policies more dynamic, while 20%...
EU: Dublin Foundation publishes the first results of its 5th European survey on working conditions
Diversification and segregation.  In this new survey, the European Foundation for the Improvement of Living and Working Conditions (Dublin) first notes that, in 10 years, the workforce of rose...
Germany: Employment Minister wants to suspend national preference for hiring
The shortage in skilled workers some sectors of the German economy are complaining about is still making the news. However, this time, there are concrete announcements by the Federal...
Sweden: The Phone House AB given permission to fingerprint its employees to monitor working time
Reasons for using fingerprints. The Phone House AB, a subsidiary of the namesake group, which employs 16,000 people in Europe, is a major chain that sells mobile phones in Sweden, since it...
2 December 2010
Portugal: government refuses to amend the Labor Code and reopens dialogue to revive the economy
Premier José Socrates met with the CEOs of the 11 Portuguese firms that export the most on Tuesday, November 30th.  The aim of the meeting was to create a cooperation spirit to boost exports and...
Italy: government adopts new “anticrisis” measures for young people
Whereas warnings on the conditions of young Italian people are multiplied – according to recent data by the Istat, their unemployment rate is 26.2% against 8.6% for the entire population, and 44%...
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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...