Réglementaire China: Supreme People’s Court publishes new interpretation of law on labour disputes National legislation A month before the presentation of the omnibus directive that will reduce companies' obligations in terms of corporate sustainability reporting and due diligence, Brussels presented its "Competitiveness Compass" on 29 January. In addition to lightening regulatory burdens, the Commission is betting on boosting workers' skills and addressing the needs of businesses.
Germany: bill to bolster occupational pensions published National legislation Germany has finally unveiled a long-awaited draft law designed to bolster workplace pensions. Published at the end of July, the 'second law to strengthen occupational pension schemes' was drawn up by the country’s labour and finance ministries. The bill seeks to cement the role of occupational pensions as the second pillar of retirement provision, alongside the state system. It places particular emphasis on improving access for lower-paid employees, while also making it easier for small and medium-sized firms – and businesses not bound by collective agreements – to offer such schemes.
Italy: non-biological mothers in same-sex couples entitled to paternity leave (ruling) National legislation In a ruling on 21 July, Italy’s Constitutional Court struck down a provision of a 2001 law,…
Germany: cabinet heavily waters down due diligence law National legislation As outlined in the coalition programme agreed in April 2025, the German cabinet on 3 September approved a significantly watered-down version of the country's Supply Chain Due Diligence Act (LkSG). Reporting requirements have been scrapped and sanctions restricted to serious breaches. The compromise, which stops short of either repealing or preserving obligations, has left both employers and NGOs dissatisfied.
United Kingdom: German discount chain Aldi keeps its promise to be the best-paying supermarket Comp and Ben @en The 28,000 British employees of German discount supermarket chain Aldi were handed a 1.9% pay rise on 1 September. In July, the retailer announced that the minimum hourly wage would rise from £12.75 to £13.00 (€14.66 to €14.95),…
Réglementaire New Zealand: employees now allowed to disclose their pay at work National legislation New Zealand has banned retaliation against employees who disclose their salaries at work. The bill, introduced by a Labour opposition MP,…
Norway: range of programmes launched to boost employment National legislation Norway’s Labour government has announced various measures this summer aimed both at tackling workplace crime and improving the integration of young people and those distant from the labour market. The initiative is intended to boost workforce participation and cut reliance on social benefits.
Germany: 10 years on from the great ‘wave’, the integration of refugees into the labour market is largely working National legislation A decade on from Angela Merkel's 'Wir schaffen das' ('we can do this') speech on 31 August 2015, in the face of a sharp rise in the number of asylum seekers arriving in Germany, researchers and media outlets are conducting more studies on how well the migrants who arrived in Germany during that period have integrated into the labour market. The findings suggest integration is largely succeeding, despite a tougher economic and political climate.
Réglementaire Czech Republic: minimum wage to rise by 7.7% on 1 January 2026 National legislation Czech labour minister Marian Jurečka, of the Christian and Democratic Union, announced on 29 August that the gross minimum wage will rise 7.7% from CZK 20,800 to CZK 22,400 (€916) per month starting 1 January 2026.…
Réglementaire Mexico: President Claudia Sheinbaum confirms plan to raise the minimum wage National legislation The minimum wage in Mexico must be raised annually over the next few years to represent 2.5 basic baskets (a set of products and services considered essential for the survival and well-being of a family),…
