Germany: conflict in the metal industry and Volkswagen’s mass layoffs plans
Press review from 17 to 21 April 2006. The threat of a hard strike in the German metal branch and the comments on the meeting of Volkswagen' board of directors dominated the news in the German...
24 April 2006
Neederlands : Strike at Nedcar’s
The Dutch Unions' Federation (FNV) and the Christians Unions' Federation (CNV) called for a 24-hour strike at the Nedcar's car assembly plant on April, 19th. The social movement will be extended...
Volkswagen: the restructuring plan remains vague
Contrary to expectations, the meeting of Volkswagen's board of directors did not bring more details on the company's reorganization plan. (Ref. 06391)
Great Britain: many reactions after PSA announces closing of its Ryton factory
Reactions have been flowing since the announcement, last 18 April, of the closing of the PSA factory in Ryton (see our article n°06380). Trade unions are ready to act, but the head of the...
20 April 2006
Great Britain: PSA closes its Ryton factory
Peugeot SA decided to close the British factory of Ryton which employs 2 300 people. The site which produces the 206 model, close to Coventry, will be stopped mid 2007. (Ref. 06380)
Czech Republic : Panasonic should create 3000 jobs in Pilsen
Japanese-controlled producer of electronic equipment, Panasonic, is considering new investment in the Czech Republic. (Ref. 06379)
Finland: a bill to fight clandestine work
The recent reinforcement of factory inspectorates has highlighted the abuses, especially in the sectors of construction and shipyards. Solicited by trade unions, the Minister for Labour is...
Sweden: most LO members opposed to the financing of the Social democrat Party
According to a recent survey, 61 % of the members of the main Swedish trade-union organization, LO, oppose the federation's financing of the social democrat party. But the trade union's leaders...
Belgium : measures in favor of gender equality
During « Equal Pay Day », which took place on 31 March, the Council of ministers has approved a series of measures aimed at promoting gender equality when it comes to salaries. In cooperation with...
Lithuania : higher wages and economic growth do not slow down emigration
Despite better economic conditions, Lithuanians continue to leave the country in order to find work elsewhere. (Ref. 06364)
TNT: over 1000 job cuts in the Netherlands
The postal group TNT announced on 11 April the removal of 1000 to 1100 jobs in six sorting offices. This reorganization involves one third of the workforce and would result in 250 effective...
Germany: airline miles belong to the employer
Companies have the right to prohibit their employees from using for personal travel the Miles obtained during business trips. This is the judgment (9 AZR 500/05) given on 11 April 11 2006 by the...
Czech Republic : Czech-Moravian Confederation of Trade Unions set new priorities
Among the organization's new priorities : a new labor code higher wages, and increased participation in major reforms. (Réf. 06358)
Slovakia : the country will lose competitiveness in the coming years
Labor costs in 2010 could match those of Western Europe, and make some investors leave the country. (Réf. 06357)
Lithuania: 17% of the working population is getting shadow wages
In Lithuania more then 17% of working population admits earning part of their wage “in envelopes”. According to the trade unions, the lack of unionist in the companies partly explains this...
France: the government scraps the very controversial “first job contract”
President Jacques Chirac decided to replace the highly disputed “first job contract” (CPE) by a device in favour of the professional integration of young people with difficulties. This will...
Most viewed articles of the month on mind HR
What readers clicked on the most last month.
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Germany: legal battle at Tesla ahead of works council election
The Frankfurt/Oder labour court has postponed a mid-November hearing in the case between the IG Metall union and Michaela Schmitz, employee representative and head of the works council at the...
2
Netherlands: ING cites AI as it plans to cut around 950 jobs
Dutch bank ING has informed the employment agency UWV that it may cut around 950 jobs by 31 December 2026. In its notification on 20 October, the lender said the planned reductions stem partly...
30 October 2025
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AI-driven job cuts on the rise in tech sector
As leading tech companies ramp up investment in artificial intelligence (AI) and roll out transformation plans to boost its development, layoffs across the sector are increasing. But are the job...
7 October 2025
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France: generative AI and older workers central to BPCE’s skills management strategy
On 17 July 2025, BPCE and its trade unions signed a second agreement on jobs and career management within the banking group. The text places generative artificial intelligence at the core of its...
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France: austerity measures proposed in social security financing bill for 2026
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16 October 2025
6
Carrefour and UNI Global Union renew global agreement on promoting social dialogue and diversity
On 17 October, Carrefour, one of the world’s largest retailers, with nearly 500,000 employees worldwide, and global union federation UNI Global Union renewed their global agreement on...