News brief

Italy: first attempt to bring union unity back
he CGIL, Cisl and Uil unions met on March 16 – at the request of Gugliemo Epifani, CGIL leader – to launch a unitary approach on representation and union democracy. Notwithstanding a...
United States: Senate takes time looking at the equal pay bill
ollowed the enactment of the “Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act” (see our dispatch No. 090135) by President Obama, the “Paycheck Fairness Act” should be adopted by the Senate...
Great Britain: annual paid leave for offshore employees included in resting time ashore
h 9, the Employment Appeal Tribunal of Edinburgh declared that the annual paid leaves of offshore employees have to be included in the resting periods ashore to which they are entitled. This is...
Netherlands: “Invest into minorities to overcome workforce shortages” – interview with Mustapha Laboui
the largest trade union confederation in the Netherlands – the Federation of Dutch Unions (FNV) – is responsible for diversity. He tells Planet Labor about the main characteristics of...
EU: the conciliation meeting between Council and Parliament on working time failed in spite of propositions on both sides
e revision of the working time directive met on the evening of March 17, without success. Since they cannot agree on the opt-out, the Council and the Parliament couldn’t reach a general...
Great Britain: employers call on the government to postpone “tax on jobs”
lacement agencies will no longer enjoy reduced VAT, which enabled them to be taxed on commission only, on the condition that the organization employing the agency workers pays them directly. The...
France Telecom: final step for the creation of France Telecom’s global works council
on of a global works council (CGM) within France Telecom entered its final phase. A draft agreement could be presented for signature in the spring. (Ref. 090291) Additional information level. This...
Italy: Council of Ministers approves new measures against the crisis
arious workers, faster award of social dampers, possibility for jobseekers receiving compensation to accept odd jobs without losing their benefits. These are the new “anticrisis”...
Germany: new wave of partial unemployment announced
tober 2008, German businesses have applied for partial unemployment measures for about 1.5 million employees – almost 410.000 in February alone. In sectors were the crisis is worst felt...
Italy: the impact of European aids on the European auto market lead to new labor organization at Fiat
collars on partial unemployment in southern Italy to other regions to face the increase in production caused by the increased demand for certain models, the carmaker extended Cassa Integrazione...
Great Britain: Toyota to cut UK wages and production by 10% to protect jobs
duction via a collective agreement. The need to reduce costs and avoid dismissals led staff representatives to accept this rescue plan, while other automotive businesses are sacrificing staff...
Great Britain: government to provide better information to businesses to help them respect labor law
on helpline on labor law and health and safety issues is one of the key measures announced on March 5, 2009 by the Minister for Enterprise. The objective is to help businesses comply with the law...
Poland: unions and employers develop an “anticrisis action package”
ipartite Committee on March 13, unions and employers’ organizations presented an “anticrisis action package”, jointly developed. This document, divided in 13 points, proposes...
Belgium: Council of Ministers approves “eco-checks”
l of Ministers approved a draft royal decree introducing “eco-checks”. This system was included in the 2009-10 interprofessional agreement and in the recovery program. It is aimed at...
Germany: unions propose a “co-managed” foundation to control part of the capital of equipment manufacturer Schaeffler/Continental
trade union confederation (DGB) want “to place Schaeffler in the hands of the workers” and propose, in the spirit of the agreement of February 23 between the Schaeffler management and...
Germany: Transnet union calls on Deutsche Bahn employees to watch out for “mediator” lawyers
dal of the control of data on the Deutsche Bahn’s employees (see our dispatch No. 090110) is getting increasingly difficult. Transnet, the largest rail union, is warning its employees...
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
France: Medef puts forward proposals to improve management quality
On 31 August, Medef, French main employers' organisation, published a practical guide to managerial skills, which it considers to be a driver of economic performance for businesses. Concerned by...
2
AI: uneven integration but a global challenge for the world of work
The adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) in business is profoundly transforming the world of work, and some occupations are now under threat. However, the full extent of its effects remains...
3
France: Ministry of Labour unveils plan to accelerate the rollout of AI
On 22 September, the French Ministry of Labour presented a plan named Impulsion IA 2027 aimed at accelerating the adoption of AI by companies and employees. It contains 12 measures applicable from...
4
Germany: AfD victory in Saxony-Anhalt raises concerns over labour supply and workplace cohesion
The rise of Germany’s far-right AfD, which could soon gain influence over migration policy in Saxony-Anhalt and, following elections on September 20, in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania as well, is...
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Netherlands: towards a ban on housing cost deductions from migrant workers’ wages
The news. On September 10, Dutch Minister of Social Affairs and Employment Hans Vijlbrief (centre-left) sent a letter to the House of Representatives, stating that he intends to prohibit employers...
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UE: Commission proposes measures to facilitate “fair” worker mobility across the Union
The info. On 15 September, the European Commission adopted a series of measures aimed at encouraging “fair” worker mobility within the EU. It wants to remove the administrative...