Germany: ‘active retirement’ law adopted to encourage seniors to remain in the workforce National legislation On 12 September, the Polish parliament adopted the ‘seniority bill’, which aims to “re-establish fairness in the labour market”. …
Réglementaire Switzerland: National Council relaxes remote work rules and introduces right to disconnect National legislation Swiss federal lawmakers have voted by a wide margin to extend the framework governing remote working, aiming to "better reflect the opportunities offered by digitalisation" and promote a healthier work–life balance. However, socialist and green MPs, who form a small minority, warned that the move could allow employers to exert greater influence over workers’ personal lives.
Italy: EU’s first law on artificial intelligence adopted in application of AI Act National legislation The Italian delegation law on artificial intelligence, in force since 10 October, is the first legislative framework in the EU on the development,…
France: austerity measures proposed in social security financing bill for 2026 National legislation Limits on sick leave, the end of social security exemptions for apprentices, and the introduction of additional birth leave: the 2026 social security financing bill, presented to parliament on 14 October, includes several HR-related measures. Overall, these provisions aim to curb social spending.
France: government proposes suspending pension reform National legislation French prime minister Sébastien Lecornu, reappointed on 10 October after resigning four days earlier, delivered his general policy speech to the National Assembly on 14 October. He announced the suspension of the 2023 pension reform — which raised the legal retirement age from 62 to 64 — and proposed reopening discussions on the future of the pension system amid the threat of a no-confidence vote. He also pledged to strengthen codetermination and step up efforts to combat social fraud.
Réglementaire Austria: Social Affairs Committee green-lights improved redundancy conditions for self-employed workers National legislation On 8 October 2025, the Social Affairs Committee of the Austrian National Council, the country’s lower house of parliament, approved new redundancy rules for self-employed workers,…
Réglementaire Ireland: minimum wage to rise by nearly 5% on 1 January 2026 National legislation In its 2026 budget, presented on 7 October, the Irish government accepted the recommendations of the Low Pay Commission report on the minimum wage.…
Italy: law on pay rules out introduction of national minimum wage National legislation A delegation law published in Italy’s official journal on 3 October grants the government six months to issue decree-laws on pay and collective bargaining. The measure effectively rules out the introduction of a national statutory minimum wage, as minimum pay levels in Italy are already determined through sectoral collective agreements.
Poland: bill tabled to swiftly transpose European adequate minimum wage directive National legislation Since the bill to transpose the European directive on adequate minimum wages has yet to be approved by the Polish Council of Ministers, left-wing MPs — members of a party within the governing coalition — took the initiative to submit their own proposal to the Sejm on 23 September. Their goal is to ensure the swift adoption of legislation that aligns with EU requirements.
Netherlands: bill seeks to allow use of partial unemployment during times of crisis National legislation On 26 September, the Dutch Council of Ministers submitted a bill to the Council of State “on preserving the workforce in times of crisis”(Wpc).…
