News

Italy: decree-law adopted to increase workplace safety
On 28 October, the Italian cabinet adopted a decree-law on health and safety at work, aimed at preventing and reducing accidents. The text addresses both the powers and actions of supervisory...
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
United Kingdom: consultation launched on enhanced dismissal protection for pregnant women and new mothers
On 23 October, the UK government published a consultation on enhanced dismissal protections for pregnant women and new mothers, as part of the Employment Rights Bill (ERB). The government is...
29 October 2025
Finland: bill tabled to make dismissals easier
On 23 October, the Finnish government submitted to parliament a bill — dubbed the 'kick law' by its critics — that would ease the conditions for individual dismissals. The proposal seeks to make...
28 October 2025
Spain: new leave provisions under consideration relating to bereavement and palliative care support
On 20 October, Spain’s labour ministry submitted a draft decree-law on end-of-life leave to the social partners. The proposal seeks to extend bereavement leave, introduce a 15-day leave...
27 October 2025
Greece: parliament adopts 13-hour working day
Greece’s parliament approved a bill to liberalise labour rules on 16 October. The legislation allows employers to hire more easily, expands overtime, and permits working days of up to 13 hours...
21 October 2025
Switzerland: National Council relaxes remote work rules and introduces right to disconnect
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...
17 October 2025
France: austerity measures proposed in social security financing bill for 2026
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...
16 October 2025
France: government proposes suspending pension reform
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...
15 October 2025
Italy: law on pay rules out introduction of national minimum wage
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...
9 October 2025
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
Poland: bill tabled to swiftly transpose European adequate minimum wage directive
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...
7 October 2025
France: insurance sector becomes first to sign agreement on employment of older workers
On 25 June 2025, France Assureurs – the employers’ association for the insurance industry – and five representative trade unions signed the sector’s first three-year agreement aimed at promoting...
French OECD Contact Point urges Shein to comply with international human rights standards
After two years of proceedings, France’s OECD National Contact Point on 29 September issued 10 recommendations urging Chinese fast-fashion giant Shein to overhaul its business model and exercise...
1 October 2025
Belgium: government fast-tracks measures to foster return to work from incapacity
On 26 September, Belgium’s cabinet gave second-reading approval to a package of measures designed to "better manage incapacity for work". The new system seeks to "empower" employees on sick leave...
1 October 2025
China: consequences of rape can constitute an ‘accident at work’ under the law
A landmark trial began in China on 23 September. Two years after being sexually assaulted by her employer, an employee is suing the company in the labour court over a "workplace accident related...
29 September 2025
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
Pascale Rauline (Axa EWC): “European charter formalises ongoing and accelerated social dialogue on AI”
On 27 November, Axa and its European works council (EWC) signed a charter setting out principles governing the deployment of artificial intelligence (AI) and guaranteeing social dialogue on the...
2
Germany: crisis-hit industries cast shadow over 2026 bargaining cycle
In 2026, collective wage agreements for nearly 10 million employees in Germany are set to expire. With upcoming negotiations in crisis-hit 'pilot' sectors such as chemicals and metalworking, the...
2 December 2025
3
Bulgaria: government approves bill to encourage sector-level collective bargaining
On 26 November, the Bulgarian government approved amendments to the labour code designed to reinforce the legal framework for sector-level collective bargaining. The reform aims to stimulate...
2 December 2025
4
EU: social partners in telecoms sign joint statement on AI
On 16 December, the social partners in Europe's telecommunications sector unveiled a joint statement on artificial intelligence. They propose an action plan for skills and commit to raising...
18 December 2025
5
France: construction sector turns to long-term partial activity scheme
Amid the ongoing economic crisis hitting France’s construction sector, social partners in the public works industry (350,000 employees) signed an agreement at the end of October enabling companies...
21 November 2025
6
Inditex European works council mobilises on value sharing
In a joint statement, 10 trade unions comprising the European works council of the Inditex clothing group are calling for rallies in Spain, Belgium, Luxembourg, Portugal, France, Italy and Germany...