Thomas Schnee
Correspondent in GermanyAs a Berlin correspondent for the French and Swiss press since the late 1990s, I cover a wide range of economic, political and social issues, with a particular focus on the German business and labour market. My areas of interest include co-determination, digitalisation, demographics and ESG/DEI policies.
Expertise
As a correspondent in Berlin for the French and Swiss press since the late 1990s, I cover a wide range of economic, political and social issues, with a particular focus on the German business world and labour market. My areas of interest include co-management, digitalisation, demographics and ESG/DEI policies.
Most read articles by Thomas Schnee
Germany: Employers’ representatives seek to limit the rights of works councils
The Employers' Federation of German Employers' Associations (Bundesvereinigung der Deutschen Arbeitgeberverbände - BDA) published a report at the end of September in which it proposes a...
8 October 2026
Is a global wage freeze at Volkswagen possible?
The existence of an option to implement a global wage freeze until 2030 has been confirmed by the management of the German group Volkswagen, which nevertheless provides no details and refers to...
20 October 2026
Germany: a negotiation timetable and the prospect of industrial action at Volkswagen
The news. On 23 October, the German carmaker Volkswagen and the trade union IG Metall announced the opening of negotiations on wages, the new cost-cutting programme and job cuts. They will take...
27 October 2026
Germany: non-EU recruitment remains marginal despite skilled immigration reform
The news. Nearly a year and a half after the entry into force of the “Skilled Immigration Development Act”, only 4% of businesses have recruited at least one employee directly from a...
28 October 2026
Latest articles by Thomas Schnee
Germany: 8.5% pay rise and €3,000 “anti-inflation” bonus in metal sector
The social partners in the metal industry of the German state of Baden-Württemberg have struck an agreement on a two-part wage increase of 8.5% and a one-off tax-free bonus of €3,000, to take...
18 November 2022
Austria: 7.44% pay rise in metal industry
The social partners in the largest branch of Austria’s metal industry – the business organisation Metaltechnology Austria (FMTI) and the PRO-GE and GPA trade unions – have struck...
7 November 2022
Germany: ground-breaking agreement in the retail sector signed between Ver.Di and H&M
The German services sector trade union Ver.Di and the German subsidiary of the Swedish clothing chain, Hennes & Mauritz have signed a company agreement that is proving to be unique in...
4 November 2022
Germany: first “social partnership model” for company pensions launched in energy sector
Social partners representing a portion of the companies in Germany's energy sector struck an agreement at the end of October on an all-new model for company pensions, dubbed a "social partnership...
2 November 2022
Germany: draft law for €12 minimum wage tabled
An increase in Germany’s minimum wage to €12 per hour – a central campaign pledge of the new chancellor Olaf Scholz – appears to be in the offing, as it is the first draft...
28 January 2022
Germany: law on due diligence in supply chains adopted by the Bundestag
Passed by the Bundestag on Friday 11 June, the 'Act on Corporate Due Diligence Obligations in Supply Chains' will come into force in two stages from 2023. From now on, companies headquartered in...
Germany: federal government confirms adoption of controversial draft legislation on corporate due diligence ahead of the 2021 elections
On 14 July, Federal Ministers of Economic Cooperation and Development, and Labour and Social Affairs, Gerd Müller and Hubertus Heil respectively, confirmed that the draft law on...
- HR
- CSR
- News brief
15 July 2020
What you absolutely must read this week
The essential content of the week selected by the editorial team.
EU: several social texts promised for 2027
The news. On 4 November, the European Commission presented its work programme for 2027. While the focus is once again on simplification, several social texts have been announced. The European...
4 November 2026
France: a bill by the end of the year to transpose the European directive on platform workers
The qualified experts appointed by the French government in the framework of transposing the Directive on Platform Workers submitted their report on 2 November. It paves the way for a bill by the...
4 November 2026
EU: Council curbs the Commission’s proposed easing of social safeguards in digital legislation
The news. On 21 October 2026, the Council of the EU agreed its negotiating mandate on the Digital Omnibus, proposed by the Commission in November 2025 to ease several provisions in digital...
3 November 2026
Croatia: 7.6% minimum wage increase from 1 January 2027
The news. On 29 October, the Croatian Council of Ministers adopted a decree setting the minimum wage for 2027. This will rise from €1,050 to €1,130 gross per month from 1 January next...
3 November 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
Living wage still struggles to align with social dialogue (study)
As part of its summer school on social dialogue, the ILO commissioned a study on the living wage. This concept, which takes workers' needs into account when determining wage levels and which major...
2
EU: Commission to launch a business coalition against modern slavery
The news. On 16 October, the European Commission presented a new strategy to combat human trafficking. While labour exploitation reported by the authorities rose by 17% between 2021-2022 and...
- HR
- CSR
- News brief
19 October 2026