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EU: the European social partners join think tank on how to fight the crisis
summit on March 19, the Twenty-Seven launched consultation of the European social partners so they become more involved in the work of the European Council – which gathers heads of States...
Great Britain: 219 billions pounds of deficit in private pension funds
ed benefit pension schemes in the private sector doubled in less than a year, reaching 219 billion pounds (232 billion euro) – the largest deficit since 2004. However, no need to panic, said...
Germany: 5.5%-8.6% wage increases at Deutsche Telekom
m and the Ver.di union accepted the propositions made by the mediator called in to settle the block in the negotiations which started in early 2009. The agreement is valid for 24 months and mostly...
Switzerland: skilled labor exchange hotline
Planet Labor, March 20, 2009, No. 090310 – www.planetlabor.com
Czech Republic: subsidies for employers to train workforce when activity is decreased
just released details of an extraordinary training subsidy program allocating CZK 3.3 billion (over 120 million euro) to bear the training costs of employees of businesses willing to keep their...
Poland: bill amends appointment of works council members
rt invalidated some provisions of the law on the information and consultation of workers which gave unions priority in appointing works council members (see our dispatch No. 080555), the Ministry...
Italy: first attempt to bring union unity back
he CGIL, Cisl and Uil unions met on March 16 – at the request of Gugliemo Epifani, CGIL leader – to launch a unitary approach on representation and union democracy. Notwithstanding a...
United States: Senate takes time looking at the equal pay bill
ollowed the enactment of the “Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act” (see our dispatch No. 090135) by President Obama, the “Paycheck Fairness Act” should be adopted by the Senate...
Czech Republic: decree limits temp agencies’ employment of foreigners
The Czech Government has issued a decree, which will come into force on March 27, 2009, by means of which it limits temporary work agencies’ employment of foreign employees (non-EU citizens)...
Great Britain: annual paid leave for offshore employees included in resting time ashore
h 9, the Employment Appeal Tribunal of Edinburgh declared that the annual paid leaves of offshore employees have to be included in the resting periods ashore to which they are entitled. This is...
Netherlands: “Invest into minorities to overcome workforce shortages” – interview with Mustapha Laboui
the largest trade union confederation in the Netherlands – the Federation of Dutch Unions (FNV) – is responsible for diversity. He tells Planet Labor about the main characteristics of...
EU: the conciliation meeting between Council and Parliament on working time failed in spite of propositions on both sides
e revision of the working time directive met on the evening of March 17, without success. Since they cannot agree on the opt-out, the Council and the Parliament couldn’t reach a general...
Germany: half of Siemens’ German employees take part in the new spinoff program
On March 14, 2009, Siemens confirmed that the spinoff program launched last fall was a big success for around 132.000 German workers of the firm. After the “slush funds scandal”, Siemens wants to...
Great Britain: employers call on the government to postpone “tax on jobs”
lacement agencies will no longer enjoy reduced VAT, which enabled them to be taxed on commission only, on the condition that the organization employing the agency workers pays them directly. The...
France Telecom: final step for the creation of France Telecom’s global works council
on of a global works council (CGM) within France Telecom entered its final phase. A draft agreement could be presented for signature in the spring. (Ref. 090291) Additional information level. This...
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1
Catherine Chavanier (CDC Habitat): “Social dialogue on AI facilitates its deployment”
In February, CDC Habitat (10,500 employees) signed a two-year framework agreement governing social dialogue on AI. Catherine Chavanier, HR Director of the subsidiary of CDC (Caisse des dépôts et...
2
France: La Poste to launch negotiations for an AI agreement
Following the lead of firms such as Axa, Syensqo globally, and more recently CDC Habitat, La Poste group management will open negotiations on an AI regulation agreement during the first half of...
3
Greece: hospitality sector signs first collective agreement aligned with National Social Pact
The hospitality sector (125,000 employees), one of Greece’s largest industries after retail, signed a new two-year collective agreement on 17 March. The text, effective from 1 April 2026...
4
France: Club Med includes “multiculturalism” in its professional equality agreement
In December 2025, Club Med and the CFTC, Unsa, and FO trade unions signed an agreement on professional equality and working conditions. It introduces measures addressing AI, pay transparency, and...
23 March 2026
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France: bioMérieux’s new disability agreement pivots towards mental health
The news. On 6 January 2026, bioMérieux—an in vitro diagnostics specialist employing 4,400 people in France—signed a new four-year agreement “relating to the employment...
6
Germany: a wave of redundancy plans in the automotive sector
The latest financial results presented in early 2026 by major German car manufacturers show sharp declines. This collapse in profits has triggered the announcement or confirmation of massive job...
16 March 2026