News

France: increase of the partial unemployment compensation in January 2009
Whereas announcements of partial unemployment are increasingly numerous, especially in the auto sector, the French social partners gathered against a background of economic crisis on December 15...
EU: the European Parliament challenges the EU27 on working time
Within the framework of the agreement signed at the Council in June (see our dispatch No. 080482), the Member States agreed, after several years of blockade, to maintain the opt-out (the exception...
Germany: Porsche and Volkswagen’s works councils bury the hatchet
Porsche and Volkswagen's WCs, which have been fighting for almost a year and a half over the representation of VW's employees within Porsche Automobil Holding SE apparently put an end to their...
Austria: social conflicts defused at the Austrian post and telecom
The two social conflicts which threatened to ruin holidays for Austrians and for the new federal government were defused, both at the post and at Telekom Austria. The managements of the two...
Italy: bargaining for the collective agreement at Fiat comes up against the crisis which leads to the closing of all sites for partial unemployment
The first meeting for the renewal of the company agreement of the group Fiat (see our dispatch No. 080805) was held in Turin on December 16, 2008. This is the first time such negotiations took...
Netherlands: the government refuses mandatory registration for temp agencies
On December 12, 2008, a majority came out of Parliament in favor of mandatory registration for temporary work agencies but Piet Hein Donner, Minister for Social Affairs and Employment is opposed...
EU: main provisions of the future EWC directive
Keeping existing agreements. The new directive doesn’t call into question the existing agreement and doesn’t impose to renegotiate them. Anticipation agreements (article 13, concluded before...
EU: the Commission proposes to revise the European Globalization adjustment Fund to make it more efficient against the crisis
The European Commission adopted, yesterday December 16, a proposal to revise the European Globalization adjustment Fund (EGF) to adapt it to the economic crisis. The proposed amendments will "make...
Portugal: the government launches an anti-crisis plan up to 2.5 billion euro to revive the economy and support employment
The Portuguese government presented its exceptional anti-crisis plan, "initiative for investment and employment", following the decisions made at the European summit in Brussels on December 12...
Germany: will large businesses guarantee employment in 2009?
Whereas Germany is getting ready to sink, next year, into the deepest recession in its recent history with a GDP decreasing by 3% according to new government assessments, mentioned in the...
EU: the European Parliament adopted the recast EWC directive
The way is now paved for a permanent adoption of the recast EWC directive during the Council of Social Ministers on December 17. Indeed, the European Parliament adopted the text developed by the...
Italy: almost a million and a half took part in the national strike organized by the CGIL
The CGIL is satisfied with the mobilization it launched against the government's economic policy to face the crisis. However, the government, employers and its rival union federation, the Cisl...
Netherlands: the Frijns Commission disappoints unions regarding managers’ pay
The Frijns Commission, in charge of monitoring compliance with businesses' compliance with the "Tabaksblat" code of good behavior, presented its final recommendations on December 12, 2008. The one...
Netherlands: unions want a 3.5% wage increase in 2009
The largest Dutch union, the Dutch Trade Union Federation (FNV) decided to maintain in 3.5% wage claim for 2009, despite the crisis. In doing so, it rejected the calls made by Maria van der...
Slovakia: businesses prepare to introduce euro
Preparation is underway in Slovakia for the introduction of the Euro. Indeed, on January 1, 2009 Slovakia becomes the 16th country to join the European Union's common currency. New acts have been...
Spain: more financial incentives to recruit women victims of gender violence
A decree, published on December 10, establishes the national program for the social and employment insertion of the victims (necessarily women) of gender violence, thus following the path opened...
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
6
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...