News

EU : Regulation No 1922/2006 of 20 December 2006 on establishing a European Institute for Gender Equality
This new European institute, set up by decision of the Council in 2004, shall:
BenQ: the majority of employees is now employed by two “transfer companies” financed by Siemens
BenQ Deutschland, the former subsidiary company of Siemens, sold one year ago to the Taiwanese BenQ, was placed in legal rectification on January 1st 2007. 2300 of the 3000 employees agreed to be...
EU: regulation on the European globalization adjustment fund is published
Three criteria of intervention. Article 2 specifies the criteria of intervention of the fund and clarifies the concept of "major changes in the structure of world trade" leading to "severe...
News suspended until January 8th 2007
We are suspending our news wire until January 8th. Of course, the web site remains open during this period. E-europnews wishes you a merry Christmas and a happy new year.
22 December 2006
Belgium: the social partners sign a draft cross-industry agreement
The cross-industry draft agreement provides for a standard rise in wages of 5 % over two years and a gross minimum wage raise. Improvements are also made for professional training. Most social...
Denmark: Lego accompanies its future ex-employees towards a new job
In June, Lego announced that 900 of the 1200 employees in Billund will be laid off in the three next years, because the group will transfer 80% of its production to the subcontractor Flextronics...
Gaz de France : justice’s decisions on the consulation of the European Work’s Council
On november 21st 2006, the TGI of Paris released an urgant decision, confirmed the same day by the Paris Court of Appeal, ordering Gaz de France to postpone its board of directors which was due to...
22 December 2006
Austria: after the sale of their bank to an investment fund, trade unions are anxious for their future
A "trade-union Monopoly" - Ironically, it is precisely when the ÖGB, which is trying to improve its image, has just sold its bank and the building of its headquarters, that the Confederation...
France Telecom : international framework agreement on fundamental rights signed
France Telecom will be particularly attentive to the prevention of forced work, to the prohibition of child labour and the exploitation of children, to health and job security, to the respect of...
Germany: the evaluation report of the labour market reform was submitted to the government
During the last cabinet meeting of 2006, the government took note, on December 20th 2006, without giving a judgement, of the final report of evaluation of the laws reforming the labour market...
Germany: 2007 will be an important year for wage negotiations
In 2007, important collective agreements will be renegotiated in the main branches of German industry: metalworking industry, chemical, printing works, but also wholesale and retail trade. Given...
Volkswagen: agreement on early retirements at Forest plant
After three days of negotiations, the trade unions and management of Volkswagen Forest reached, on December 20th, an agreement concerning the payment of the anticipated retirements (pre-pensions)...
21 December 2006
Great Britain: debate on positive discrimination reopened
The future president of the Commission for equality and humans rights, which will begin functioning in 2007, has called for a legislative change to allow positive discrimination, in order to fight...
Lithuania: governmental initiatives in favour of the professional integration of disabled people
The Lithuanian government is currently working on amendments to the law on social enterprises, employing a certain rate of disabled people, in order to facilitate their integration. (Ref. 061288)
Spain: assessment of the huge plan against precariousness
Over one million permanent employment contracts have been signed since July 1st, announces the Ministry of Labour, that is to say an increase of 57 % compared to 2005. (Ref. 061285)
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
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...
6
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