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Portugal: new social security code
was permanently adopted on Friday, June 12. The text introduces higher employers’ social contributions for fixed-term contracts and subjects employers who appeal to “green...
Spain: mobilization spreads after negotiations for the renewal of metalworkers’ collective agreement failed again in Galicia
After over 30 hours of uninterrupted talks, employers and unions from the Pontevedra region (Galicia) declared, on Thursday, June 11, that negotiations on the new collective agreement in the metal...
Great Britain: Equality Bill to come into force in the fall 2010
bout giving employers six more months to prepare for the changes induced by the Equality Bill. Still under discussion, the bill should be adopted in early 2010. However, it isn’t unlikely...
Finland: Nokia intensifies voluntary leave program before extending it to other countries
After reducing by 20-30% the workforce at Helsinki’s research center and closing the Turku site (south west), the Finnish giant clutched up a gear on February 24, 2009, launching a voluntary leave...
Germany: crisis and decreasing inflation mark the pilot agreement signed in retail trade
The largest judicial settlement since after the war. What accelerated negotiations was the announcement of the judicial settlement (Insolvenz) at Karstadt, a true institution for German retail...
Spain: temporary employment agencies announce a temporary decrease in employment destruction
Key observations of the report. Spain should breathe during a temporary stable phase, thanks to the combined effect of seasonal work and the local employment investment program (Plan E) launched...
Thales: European agreement on anticipation and professional development
Scope of the agreement. This agreement applies to companies that fall within the scope of the Thales' European Works Council,” i.e. Germany, Austria, Belgium, Spain, France, Italy, the...
Italy: Italtel and unions appeal to solidarity contracts to reduce mass layoffs
Solidarity working time reduction. The management accepted unions’ proposition to appeal to solidarity contracts (see our dispatch No. 090235) to reduce the restructuring’s social impact. 90...
Venezuela: promises to re-hire workers from nationalized oil firms taking too long
s dismissed during oil nationalizations were re-employed. Yet, the Venezuelan government promised that all employees from the 76 oil businesses bought by the Petroleos de Venezuela company (PDVSA)...
Siemens: German group seeks to recruit more disabled workers
A unique pilot-agreement in Germany. Qualified as a “pilot-agreement” by a Siemens spokesman, the agreement signed contains a series of concrete measures. Thus, among other things, Siemens...
EU: economic crisis in the background of EPSU’s 8th Congress
IPS-Europe/EPSU merger. This meeting, held every five years, officialized the merger of the EPSU and the European unit of the International Public Services union (IPS). This decision brings the...
Netherlands: government explains modalities of retirement at 67
Everyone to work until 67. With a memorandum setting the principle of absolute equality, the government shows its resoluteness. There will be no exceptions, everyone will be affected, even those...
Spain: rail unions to escort the decentralization of the management of Barcelona’s rail system
Social conflict has been avoided in Spanish railways thanks to an agreement signed between the Ministry for Transportation and rail unions (see our dispatch No. 090523). The agreement defines the...
Great Britain: government launches Department for Business and Skills
A department with a wide scope. Mandelson’s job won’t be easy. Of course, he will have to be businesses’ attorney (particularly SMEs), but also consumers’ attorney. He will have to develop...
Mexico: 10.5 million euros to help tourism workers
Direct aids and agreement against layoffs. Unlike previous programs, aimed at supporting businesses in the tourist industry, this one is directly addressed to workers, mostly in the hotel...
EU: maternity leave, social priority of the future Swedish presidency
Objections. The legal basis of the draft directive (art. 141 of the Treaty, which notably includes the objective of work-life balance, and 137 on the protection of health and safety, the basis of...
Most viewed articles of the month on mind HR
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What readers clicked on the most last month.
1
France: Yves Rocher convicted of breach of duty of vigilance for infringement of freedom of association
The specialised chamber of the Paris Judicial Court convicted Yves Rocher on 12 March for breaching its duty of vigilance. The group was sued by Turkish employees dismissed in 2018 by a subsidiary...
12 March 2026
2
Spain: business support package to tackle the economic impact of the Middle East conflict
The Spanish government approved a series of measures on 20 March to support companies facing rising energy prices. In return, these businesses are prohibited from making redundancies for economic...
23 March 2026
3
EU: Council adopts position on simplifying AI rules
The Council of the EU approved its position on 13 March regarding the “omnibus regulation” proposal, published last November by the Commission to simplify the AI Act. Confirming the...
20 March 2026
4
Germany: a corporate group supports local political engagement via its “Democracy Charter”
Large corporations in the Hesse region, surrounding Frankfurt, are defending local democracy by enabling employees to volunteer in local public life through an initiative dubbed the "Democracy...
11 March 2026
5
United States: Coca-Cola subsidiary sued by the administration over women-only event
The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) announced on 18 February that it is launching federal proceedings against Coca-Cola Beverages Northeast for “sex-based...
6 March 2026