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Netherlands: pension funds in trouble
On October 15, the Social Partners sent a letter to Dutch pension funds - the wealthiest in the world - to warn them against "hasty actions" because of the crisis. On October 13 already, the...
Italy: major participation in the general strike organized by basic unions
500.000 participants in the national demonstration in Rome and over 2 million strikers throughout Italy. This is the outcome of the first unitary strike, organized on October 17, 2008 by the three...
EU: the possibility of the adoption of the recast EWC directive by the end of the year is increasingly likely
"The European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC) is seeking a successful, early resolution to the recast Directive on European Works Councils by the end of the year". This message was sent on...
Italy: the national union meeting of the Fiat group approved the platform to negotiate the company agreement
Involvement of the trade union in the industrial policy choices, an international framework agreement on union rights, 2.100 euro of payoff bonus: these are the three main claims included in the...
Colombia: sugar workers on strike for a month
About 20.000 workers in the sugar agro-industry have been on strike since September 15. They want to be employed directly by large refiners; they demand wage increases and better working...
EU: the Commission develops electronic information systems to facilitate cooperation between the national authorities
The European Commission will soon adopt a decision on the establishment of a committee of experts who will, notably, have to work on the development of a system of electronic information exchange...
Spain: Telefonica proposes early retirement at 48
The former public telecom monopoly in Spain presented to the trade unions staffing cut projects for its two subsidiaries. In total, the group plans 700 job cuts: 500 for Telefonica (mobile phones)...
EU: the CJEC defines the notion of activity in several Member States as part of the protection of employees in the event of the insolvency of the employer
In a ruling rendered on October 16, 2008, the Court of Justice of the European Communities defined the notion of "activity in a number of Member States" which enables to determine the institution...
Great Britain: workers with mental health issues get greater support
James Purnell, Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, announced increased funding for the Access to Work program for people with mental health issues. The objective is to help them stay in work...
Imperial Tobacco Group: union coordination against the restructuring plan
Union members representing employees in Germany, Great Britain, Spain, France and the Netherlands for Imperial Tobacco Group met in Brussels on October 10 with representatives from the European...
EU: the Council wants to regulate golden parachutes and stock-options
After the Finance Ministers at the Council on October 6-7, 2008, the European Council itself now decided to ask the Member States to regulate managers' excessive remuneration, in Brussels on...
16 October 2008
Italy: the Council of Ministers approved the guidelines for the reform of the right to strike
Labor Minister, Maurizzio Sacconi, announced last week his desire to speed up the presentation of his reform bill “in relation with this period of strike action.” Consequently, on the same day...
Denmark: tripartite agreement between the government and the Social Partners to reduce sick leaves
The establishment of a sound working environment, resuming activity during the illness, better dialogue between the employer and the sick employee… these are some of the initiatives contained in...
Great Britain: Unite mobilized to protect banking jobs
Unite union welcomed the British government's decision to bail out struggling British banks and took this opportunity to renew its call to protect jobs in this sector, badly affected by the...
Germany: the number of companies not covered by a collective agreement keeps increasing
According to a study published by the German Labor Market and Employment Research Institute (IAB) on October 9, 2008, only 52% of employees working in private firms in western Germany were still...
Brazil: bank officers on strike throughout the country
Brazilian bank officers have been paralyzing their activity since October 8. They want better wages to recover their buying power and profit sharing. Banks employ over 430.000 people throughout...
Most viewed articles of the month on mind HR
What readers clicked on the most last month.
What readers clicked on the most last month.
1
Pascale Rauline (Axa EWC): “European charter formalises ongoing and accelerated social dialogue on AI”
On 27 November, Axa and its European works council (EWC) signed a charter setting out principles governing the deployment of artificial intelligence (AI) and guaranteeing social dialogue on the...
2
Germany: crisis-hit industries cast shadow over 2026 bargaining cycle
In 2026, collective wage agreements for nearly 10 million employees in Germany are set to expire. With upcoming negotiations in crisis-hit 'pilot' sectors such as chemicals and metalworking, the...
2 December 2025
3
Bulgaria: government approves bill to encourage sector-level collective bargaining
On 26 November, the Bulgarian government approved amendments to the labour code designed to reinforce the legal framework for sector-level collective bargaining. The reform aims to stimulate...
2 December 2025
4
EU: social partners in telecoms sign joint statement on AI
On 16 December, the social partners in Europe's telecommunications sector unveiled a joint statement on artificial intelligence. They propose an action plan for skills and commit to raising...
18 December 2025
5
Germany: Erwin Hymer Group’s innovative and award-winning AI agreement
Fed up with negotiating separate agreements for each new artificial intelligence (AI) tool, the social partners at Erwin Hymer Group (8,900 employees) have instead secured a broad, overarching...
12 December 2025
6
France: Orange submits gender equality agreement – including AI provisions – for union approval
The three representative trade unions at Orange France have until 10 December to validate an agreement on gender equality, work–life balance and anti-discrimination measures. While the text...