News

Great Britain: reactions of labour unions and employers on the CJEC ruling on seniority and discriminations between men and women
Social partners were quick to react to the Cadman ruling made by the CJEC on October 3rd, 2006 (see our article n ° 06974). Employers are relieved for now, but labour unions are ready to challenge...
Belgium: trade unions ready to punish their far-right activists
The Confederation of Christian labour unions (CSC) is going to go through all electoral rolls of the far right parties (Vlaams Belang and National Front), established during the communal elections...
Germany: the coalition outlines the health-care reform
One of the most thorny issues of the reform (see our articles 06296, 06266 and 06681), the creation of a health fund gathering all health contributions before their payment into insurance schemes...
Poland: less work permits for certain categories of workers
In this country, as in the other new seven east and central Europe countries, the labour market is going through a period of changes with developing migration to Western Europe. A World Bank...
EU: European Parliament and Council of Ministers look at funding to aid employees hit by globalisation
Harsh criticism by the economic and monetary commission of the EP foretells lively exchange at the Plenary Assembly. Indeed, a heavy job of persuasion lies in store for the French MP after the...
Netherlands: Parliament asks for guarantees on the employment of Poles
The Parliament asked, on October 5th, Henk van Hoof, the Secretary of State for Social affairs and employment, for firm guarantees on the respect of collective labour agreements and minimum wage...
EU: the European Metalworkers’ Federation publishes a report on the future challenges for the European car industry
Federation (EMF) has just published a report on Europe's automotive industry. This document sums up the conference organized on last May 16th and 17th in Brussels, on this topic. The union...
Italy: general agreement of labor unions and employers to bring down job insecurity in call centers
Labour unions and employers reached, on October 4th, an agreement which opens the way to more job security in call centers. 250.000 people work in these « precariousness factories ». (Ref 06984)
EU: European Commission postpones the launching of a consultation on labor law evolutions
The green Book labor law evolutions, which was due to be adopted by the College of Commissioners in the coming days, was postponed sine die. Elaborated in a rather confidential way within the...
Impact of immigration from new member countries of the EU on the Scandinavian labour market
The report intended to provide better knowledge of the problems linked to the immigration of workers from Eastern European countries since 2004 and to promote exchange of valid practices between...
Great Britain: at last, the law on discriminations on grounds of age comes into force
After years of wait, the law transposing the European directive on discriminations on grounds of age (2000/78) is finally applicable. (Ref. 06982)
Poland : trade unions and management question political leaders on the lack of social dialogue
During a common press conference, on October 3rd, employers and trade union representatives asked the political parties' leaders to get more involved in the elaboration of a new social contract...
Spain: for the first time, judges assess the moral harm affecting discriminated pregnant women
The high court of justice of Catalonia granted an indemnity of 30 600 euros to a woman laid off when she came back from her maternity leave. The court considered that there was a proof of...
Bulgaria: an opinion poll balances the fears of a flow of Bulgarian immigrants towards the labour market of other European States
Between 2001 and 2006, twice fewer Bulgarians said that they had intention to go work abroad, according to an opinion poll of International Gallup Poll abroad. The experts estimate at 36 000, the...
Spain: for the CCOO, the recognition of a status for the self-employed, economically dependent worker is a violation of labour law
The trade union federation CCOO criticizes the agreement concluded between the government and the main representatives of self-employed persons on the new status of the autonomous worker (see our...
EU: social partners open negotiations on transposition of international maritime labor code into Community law
Social partners of the maritime transport sector – the European Transport Workers' Federation (ETF) and the European Community Shipowners' Associations (ECSA)- have accepted the Commission's...
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