Spain : a study on wage increases and their mechanisms
According to a Mercer HR Consulting study, Spanish wages should increase by 4.1% next year (down from 4.6% this year.) This rise, judged reasonable given the expected inflation rate of 3.5%...
Belgium: FGTB organizes second «day of temporary workers’ rights»
On September 13th, 2006, the socialist FGTB labour union launched a debate with employers on temporary work, the respect of the legislation and workers' safety. (Ref 06892)
Nestlé: a social plan for Dutch workers affected by a relocation
The Swiss group Nestle, which decided to close a plant in the Netherlands as part of a relocation in the Czech Republic and in Ukraine, introduced a job saving plan to Dutch employees. The main...
11 September 2006
Finland: social partners asked to propose a plan to boost employment
The Finnish government, via the social democrat minister Eero Heinaluoma, asked the union organizations, at the beginning of August, to submit to the government a plan in favor of employment. He...
The IMF examines its policy of international collective negotiation
The international Metalworkers' Federation (IMF) will organize a conference, on September 26th and 27th, which will deal with the orientation to give to international framework agreements. (Ref...
Arcelor-Mittal: discussions on the future of the European Work’s council
The merger of both steel groups should soon lead to the constitution of a single European work's council. This will be difficult, because the current European work's councils are very different...
EU: unions to act for a European Constitution with more social guarantees
The European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC), the Confederation of German Trade Unions (DGB) and the Federation of Austrian Trade Unions (OEGB) expressed their concern, in a exchange of letters...
Spain: for labour unions and labor inspectors, social dumping is a priority
The labor inspection and union organizations are scrutinizing the working conditions of immigrants. ThyssenKrupp Taragone is one of the companies targeted. It is suspected of laying off Spanish...
Germany: women’s average salary is 22.5 % lower than that of men
A study of the Institute of socioeconomic researches (WSI) of the Hans-Böckler Stiftung (a foundation linked to German trade unions) conducted by surveying 60 000 salaried workers, shows that the...
Germany: first warning strikes in the steel industry
The renegotiation of collective agreements in the steel industry (104 000 workers) is making no progress. It started at the end of August in three Western Länder and in former East Germany. IG...
Italy: One third of salaried employees earn less than 1000 euros a month
More than one third of Italian employees must live with less than 1000 euros (take home) per month, according to a study of the Institute of economic and social research (Ires) and the Italian...
Netherlands: wage increases are surprisingly high
Wages are increasing faster than expected this year, according to the annual index of Mercer Human Resource Consulting, published on September 5th. The average increase is 3.8 %, nearly double the...
Total: European negotiations on support of employees’ entrepreneurship and safety at work
Total's management is going to start a negotiation, at the end of the month, on swarming and company solidarity. It also agreed on a future negotiation dealing with safety at work. (Ref 06858)
Intel to cut 10 500 jobs by the middle of 2007
The world's number 1 chipmaker said on Tuesday the 5th, that it would cut its total workforce by 10% in order to increase efficiency and cut costs. 7 500 jobs will disappear by the end of the...
Belgium: the Confederation of Christian Trade Unions demands the transposition of the « information-consultation» directive
« Today, the government is exactly 532 days late for the implementation of the European directive which gives workers a right to information and consultation », reports the Confederation of...
Germany: few firms have a profit sharing system
According to a study introduced on September 5th, 2006 by the Research institute on the job market and trades (IAB), 9 % of German firms provide their employees with a profit-sharing system and 2...
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
Inditex European works council mobilises on value sharing
In a joint statement, 10 trade unions comprising the European works council of the Inditex clothing group are calling for rallies in Spain, Belgium, Luxembourg, Portugal, France, Italy and Germany...
6
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