News updates as of May 4, 2018

Germany/ Committee set up to develop pension reform. On Thursday 3 May, Hubertus Heil, the social-democrat employment minister, unveiled a list of ten experts and social partner representatives who will form the new ‘retirement committee’. The group, which is set to begin its work from 6 June, is due to present, by 2020, an extensive reform plan for how German pensions are funded. The government’s programme states that the reform plan must be organised around three pillars – public, private and company pensions – in order to address the ageing of the population, in a sustainable manner, from 2025 onwards. Currently, pension funding in Germany is experiencing a period of calm, amid strong economic growth in the country and a high level of employment, which means pension funds have built up a reserve of some €30 million and have been able to reduce the contribution rate by 0.1 percentage points to 18.6%, from the start of this year. Pension levels are also due to increase by 3% from 1 July 2018. However, this period of grace does not appear set to last, as workers from the so-called ‘baby boomer’ age group are set to start departing the world of work.
Enjoy this article for free while you’re in your trial period
You have access to our content for 1 month.

on funds have built up a reserve of some €30 million and have been able to reduce the contribution rate by 0.1 percentage points to 18.6%, from the start of this year. Pension levels are also due to increase by 3% from 1 July 2018. However, this period of grace does not appear set to last, as workers from the so-called ‘baby boomer’ age group are set to start departing the world of work.

Italy/ Whistle-blowing a rare practice at big banks.The First trade union, a branch of the Cisl which deals w

Do you have information to share with us?
What you absolutely must read this week
The essential content of the week selected by the editorial team.
See all
Italy: parental leave extended until the child’s 14th birthday
The 2026 Italian Finance Act has extended optional parental leave, which can now be taken until the child is 14 years old, up from 12 previously. This leave has a maximum duration of 10 or 11...
Germany: launch of the “WE-Fair” alliance for binational training of skilled foreign workers
Germany continues to expand and diversify its initiatives to attract skilled foreign labour from outside the EU. In mid-March 2026, the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development...
France: Decathlon’s jobs and career management agreement aims to bolster employee experience
The news. Sport retailer Decathlon and the trade unions (CFTC and Unsa) signed a jobs and career management agreement (GEPP – Gestion des emplois et parcours professionnels) on 24 February...
Spain: employers and unions pave the way for the textile retail sector’s first collective agreement
The Spanish employers' association for major textile companies (ARTE) and two of the unions involved in negotiations (CCOO and Fetico) signed a preliminary agreement on 23 March for the sector's...
25 March 2026
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
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
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
4
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...
5
United Kingdom: launch of consultation on protection against detriment for industrial action
The British government launched a public consultation on 26 February regarding new protections for workers against "detriment" related to industrial action, scheduled to take effect in October...
12 March 2026
6
Germany: controversial collective bargaining compliance act adopted
On 26 February, the Bundestag approved the Tariftreuegesetz (collective bargaining compliance act), aimed at strengthening collective agreements and tackling social dumping by tying certain public...
26 February 2026