News

Poland : 20th National Congress of “Solidarity” in Szczecin
The 20th National Congress of Solidarity (NSZZ 'Solidarnosc') took place in Szczecin on 28-29 September. It marked the 25th anniversary of the first Congress of this Trade Union. (Ref.061096)
Lufthansa: in the name of “anti-discrimination” law, pilots forced to retire at 60 file a complaint against the German airline
It is the first time the new law is invoked in a trial. This time, the discriminating factor is the captain's age. The business world is following the case closely because the ruling could become...
Belgium: union action in big call-centres to fight against stress
The national employees' union (CNE) and its Flemish equivalent, the LBC, have conducted public awareness campaigns in the country' s big call-centres. Entitled "Stop the BOSS (Burn Out Stress...
Spain: Romanian and Bulgarian labor immigration will be restricted during two years
The Spanish government announced, on October 31st, a moratorium on the entry of Bulgarian and Romanian workers in Spain. The freedom of movement of citizens of these two countries should be...
Germany: job-saving plan at Mercedes will cost less than expected
Mercedes Car Group, the subsidiary of Daimler Chrysler, will cut more jobs in Germany than previously thought, by the end of 2006. But paradoxically, the dismissal indemnities will be lower than...
EU: social partners of the electricity sector agree their work program for 2006-2007
Social dialogue committee draws partial assessment of 2005-2006 activities and puts many issues on the agenda for the next 12 months. (Ref. 061091)
Belgium : Confederation of Christian trade unions rips back-to-work plan for the unemployed
In October 2004, the national unemployment agency (Onem) launched the first meetings with the unemployed aimed at checking their behaviour as regards job hunting. For the second anniversary of...
EU: social partners of the chemical industry release joint position on REACH
EMCEF and ECEG ask European Parliament to ensure a balanced system, combining safety and workability. European MP's are currently examining the draft REACH regulation in second reading. (Ref...
EU : the European Parliament passes a report on the implementation of the directive on « cross-boarder posting »
Euro-deputies passed on October 6th a report on the implementation of the directive 96/71 on workers' posting. This report stresses the ineffectiveness of this text which is supposed to guarantee...
Italy: a reform should finally make supplementary pensions a reality in Italy
After years of missed takeoffs, supplementary pensions are finally set to take off in Italy. Indeed, starting January 1st 2007, employees of the Peninsula will have six months to decide what to do...
Germany: Christmas bonuses are getting more and more variable
According to a study conducted by the Hans-Böckler foundation, the "Christmas bonus" ( Weihnachtsgeld) or "thirteenth month of salary" which used to be commonplace in Germany, is more and more...
Germany: the decrease in unemployment insurance contributions next year could be stronger than envisaged
More and more politicians of the big alliance want a bigger cut in unemployment insurance contributions than previously envisaged. The contribution rate was supposed to decrease from 6.5 % to 4.5...
Great Britain: the mp3 player allows employees to isolate themselves in open space
A quarter of British workers isolate themselves in the office thanks to an mp3 music player, but the practice is not commonplace yet and has already been forbidden in one third of firms. (Ref...
EU : negotiations on the revision of the working time directive under pressure
The informal meeting on October 26 at which the Spanish, French, British, Polish, Portuguese, German and Italian labour ministers discussed the latest version of the compromise presented by the...
Two major global trade unions (ICFTU and WCL) unite to create the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC), gathering 180 million members
The ICFTU and the WCL were dissolved in Vienna on October 31st. They will unite with non-affiliated trade unions, including the French CGT, to create the ITUC. The foundation congress will take...
France: discussions between trade unions and employers over labour market reform begins
Trade unions and employers, at the instigation of the latter, met on October 23rd to discuss the possible opening of negotiations over labor market reform. (Ref 061080)
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1
France: Cabinet adopts pay transparency bill
After several months of delay beyond the European deadline of 7 June 2026, French Labour Minister Jean-Pierre Farandou finally presented the bill transposing the Pay Transparency Directive to the...
10 September 2026
2
Germany: IG Metall demands 5% pay rise amid severe pressure
Despite the crisis hitting the automotive industry, the leadership of the German trade union IG Metall announced on Wednesday 23 September that it would be asking for a 5% pay increase as well as...
23 September 2026
3
Italy: Crédit Agricole introduces a handbook on managerial behaviour
The document adopted in mid-July by Crédit Agricole Italia and the main banking trade unions goes beyond the proper use of meetings and emails. This six-point handbook aims to foster constructive...
3 September 2026
4
Spain: government revisits its draft decree on salary transparency
The Spanish Ministry of Labour has opened a consultation on the transposition of the European directive on salary transparency and the reduction of the gender pay gap. This decision follows a...
8 September 2026
5
EU: Commission proposes a list of worker-related criteria for public procurement
The news. On 9 September, the European Commission published a proposal for a regulation aimed at unifying European public procurement law, which accounts for 15% of European GDP. It is notably set...
17 September 2026
6
United Kingdom: government “names and shames” companies that fail to pay the minimum wage
The news. On September 3, the UK government published a list of employers penalised for failing to comply with the National Minimum Wage. Nearly 660 companies were named, including fast-food chain...
4 September 2026