News

Germany: Deutsche Post DHL wants to increase working time without increasing wages
When presenting his results for the first 2009 quarter, the boss of the German post said that his company’s turnover decreased of around 13% (€11.5 billion) and profit of 42%. He thinks this is...
Poland: social partners to launch negotiations on the implementation of the European agreement on harassment and violence at work
The European framework agreement itself provides that it should be transposed into national law three years after its signature following the modalities and procedures chosen by the national...
Sweden: proposals to simplify holiday entitlement legislation
A committee set up by the Labour Ministry to reflect on the simplification of legislation relating to rights for the various holidays announced its conclusions on 20th April earlier this year. The...
Netherlands: pending reform of layoff order
Future amendment to the law. The issue has been debated in Parliament since 2005, but no progress has been made. Employers’ organizations want more flexibility to appeal to the “essential...
Germany: government adopts clause ruling out pension cuts
Dynamic compensation. In exchange, the government provides for a compensation system. Thus, as early as 2011, if pension cuts are necessary, subsequent increases will have to be cut by half as...
GDF SUEZ: agreement establishing the new European works council signed
For better readability, the text of the dispatch has been attached in Word format.
EU: MEPs agree with the Council of Ministers on the revision of the European Globalization adjustment Fund
To this day, the fund is hardly used. With the 2006 regulation, a Member State can request European co-funding via the EGF for the reconversion and training of employees subject to restructuring...
Italy: a free psychological support service for the unemployed has been set up in Bologna
This project was launched to coincide with labour day, under the slogan “May 1st, free psychological support service for all who have lost or are losing their work”. It was officially presented on...
Estonia: merger of unemployment payment services and employment services on 1st May 2009
Providing an improved service. Since 4th May, these two institutions have been merged and the resulting organisation has retained the name of the Estonian unemployment insurance fund (Eesti...
EU: recommendations to supervise remuneration in finance
The European Commissioner responsible for internal market, Charlie Mc Creevy, presented, on April 29, a recommendation defining guidelines for the development and follow-up of wage policies in...
Germany: ThyssenKrupp wants to improve its restructuring program and reduce joint management
It was without warning that the management of the German steel giant, ThyssenKrupp (TK) announced, on April 23, a restructuring program well beyond the program accepted by the staff...
Italy: Fiat lays 200 white collars off
Fears. While Italian unions welcomed the agreement with Chrysler, a possible alliance with Opel is, on the other hand, giving rise to fear. According to Giuseppe Farina, Fim-Cisl general...
Portugal: over ten thousand workers affected by activity suspension or reduction
High public expenses. The State already spent €2 million to make up for the wage losses deriving from activity reductions. Indeed, as part of plans to support some sectors (see our dispatch No...
EDF: new agreement on social responsibility about to be signed (English version attached)
Larger scope. The new agreement will have a larger scope than the previous one. The 2004 agreement only covered businesses where EDF held a majority of the capital. The 2009 agreement has a larger...
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
Germany: Erwin Hymer Group’s innovative and award-winning AI agreement
Fed up with negotiating separate agreements for each new artificial intelligence (AI) tool, the social partners at Erwin Hymer Group (8,900 employees) have instead secured a broad, overarching...
12 December 2025
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France: Orange submits gender equality agreement – including AI provisions – for union approval
The three representative trade unions at Orange France have until 10 December to validate an agreement on gender equality, work–life balance and anti-discrimination measures. While the text...