News

Italy: appeal to partial unemployment in the metal sector is soaring
The worsening financial crisis, a slow global demand which holds exports back, a low demand on the internal market due to a skydiving buying power, are causing a strong increase in the appeal to...
Belgium: wage costs shouldn’t take more than 5.1% in 2009-10
The Central Economic Council published its report on available maximum margins for the evolution of wage costs. This document will now serve as a basis to bargain for the new 2009-10...
Germany: the country gets a national database on gender equality
Which are the most advanced regions in terms of equal treatment? Which are the least? Since November 4, 2008, the people concerned (citizens, local representatives, social partners and so on) can...
Club Med: the group is ready to sign a global framework agreement
The French tourism group Club Méditerranée should soon sign an international framework agreement with the International Union of Food Workers (IUF). In addition to the group's respect of...
China: the largest health system in the world rejects the free market
Beijing presented a wide plan to reform its health system with an ambitious goal: basic coverage for rural and urban population by 2020. The government presented its reform on the internet to...
Spain: the government announces measure to boost employment
On November 3, 2008, the head of the Spanish government, Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero, presented a series of initiatives to abate unemployment, gone from 7.5% to 11.3% in ten months. Recruitment...
Estonia: the bill on the labor contract on a second reading in Parliament
The bill on the contract of employment, prepared by the government early this year (see our dispatch No. 080026) is still causing a stir. The text - currently on a second reading in Parliament -...
Belgium: synthesis of case laws on violence and harassment at work
The Federal Ministry of Labor (FPS Employment, Labor and Social Dialogue) published an annual synthesis of case laws regarding violence and sexual or moral harassment at work. 226 rulings were...
Czech Republic: green card project to be launched in January 2009
On January 1, 2009 the Act that introduces green cards will come into force. The Interior Ministry is now preparing a list of countries whose citizens will be eligible for green cards. The Green...
Unilever: the EFFAT condemns the closing of the Frigo SU site in Barcelona
The management of the Anglo-Dutch giant, Unilever, announced on October 3, 2008, the closing of the site producing Frigo ice-cream with 268 job cuts - mostly women's (see our dispatch No. 080775)...
Italy: the Cai presented its takeover bid in spite of the five autonomous unions refusal to sign the social agreement
The consortium of Italian investors, Cai, presented its takeover bid over Alitalia in spite of the disagreement of the five autonomous unions. Objecting to the non-compliance of the employment...
Aker ASA: international framework agreement
On October 28, 2009, the shipbuilding company Aker ASA (27.100 employees) signed an international framework agreement with the International Metalworkers' Federation (IMF) and its Norwegian...
Germany: the IG-Metall refuses employers’ offer of a 2.1% wage increase and is going to launch warning strikes next week
The IG-Metall qualified the first figured offer presented by employers yesterday, October 30, 2008, of "provocation". While the IG-Metall is asking for an 8% wage increase for the 3.6 million...
Germany: judges say the new postal services’ union (GNBZ) is influenced by employers and cannot bargain for collective agreements
The ruling rendered on October 30, 2008 by the Court of Cologne is a turning point in the conflict between Ver.di, the services' union, and its competitor, GNBZ, in the postal services sector...
International: American union busters are spreading to Europe
North-American anti-union cabinet councils, also known as union busters, are increasingly bringing their services to Europe, starting with Great Britain. The weekly journal of the Danish union LO...
Hungary: Saint-Gobain opens its first plasterboard production unit in the country
On Saturday, September 27, Saint-Gobain opened the first Hungarian plasterboard production unit in Halmajugra, a town located about 100 km (about 62 miles) from Budapest. This event shows "this...
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
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...
2
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...
3
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...
4
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...
5
Denmark: introduction of a professional ID card for construction site workers
The news. On 3 September, the Danish Parliament adopted a bill introducing a mandatory professional ID card for people working on large construction sites. The card will include, among other...
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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...