Réglementaire Greece: parliament adopts 13-hour working day National legislation On 29 July 2025, Spain’s government signed off on an extension of parental leave for birth, adoption and early childcare. Each parent will gain an additional three weeks of paid leave, bringing the total to 19 weeks. One of those weeks must be taken during the child’s first year, while the remaining two can be used any time before the child turns eight.
Argentina: Milei outlines main points of planned labour reform National legislation Argentina’s libertarian president, Javier Milei, unveiled his labour reform plans on 10 October during a visit to a metal processing plant in San Nicolás, around 230 kilometres from Buenos Aires.…
Germany: ‘active retirement’ law adopted to encourage seniors to remain in the workforce National legislation On 15 October, Germany’s cabinet approved draft legislation on ‘active retirement‘, which is expected to pass swiftly through Parliament.…
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.
