News

Germany: the « Council of the 5 experts » proposes a reduction of 30 % of the minimum income (ALG II) and reopens the debate on combined wages
While the government is preparing a reform of low paid jobs and of the Hartz IV laws, a group of experts which advises the government in economic and social issues is asking for a radical...
Belgium: an inquiry into Walloons-Flemish clichés relating to work
The Belgian daily "Le Soir " ordered an inquiry into "the attitudes and aspirations of the Belgians at work and the North-south clichés". The French-speaking daily is publishing the results since...
Finland: the government asks big firms to increase the number of women in boards of directors
The Finnish government, very implicated in the gender equality policy, is asking economic leaders to increase the number of women within their decision organs by putting forward their competences...
The IMF examines its policy of international collective negotiation
The international Metalworkers' Federation (IMF) will organize a conference, on September 26th and 27th, which will deal with the orientation to give to international framework agreements. (Ref...
Arcelor-Mittal: discussions on the future of the European Work’s council
The merger of both steel groups should soon lead to the constitution of a single European work's council. This will be difficult, because the current European work's councils are very different...
EU: unions to act for a European Constitution with more social guarantees
The European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC), the Confederation of German Trade Unions (DGB) and the Federation of Austrian Trade Unions (OEGB) expressed their concern, in a exchange of letters...
European Parliament adopts a report on the European Social Model
On September 6th 2006, MEP's passed an own-initiative report which outlines the concept of the European Social Model. Members underline the "urgent need for the concept to be reformed" and make...
8 September 2006
Spain: for labour unions and labor inspectors, social dumping is a priority
The labor inspection and union organizations are scrutinizing the working conditions of immigrants. ThyssenKrupp Taragone is one of the companies targeted. It is suspected of laying off Spanish...
CJEC: sanctions in case of successive fixed-term contracts may differ between the private and the public sector
The CJEC considers that directive 99/70 on fixed-term contracts is not violated when a public employer is not obliged to convert an abusive fixed-term contract into a permanent one, whereas a...
CJEC: the employer must let workers exercise their right to rest
According to the CJEC, UK employers are not obliged to ensure that workers are actually able to exercise their right to rest”, so the British government infringes the Community law. The Court also...
Denmark: for parents, family comes before career
In Denmark, parents have a tendency to give more importance to their children than their career, until their children's adolescence. (Ref 06871)
Germany: women’s average salary is 22.5 % lower than that of men
A study of the Institute of socioeconomic researches (WSI) of the Hans-Böckler Stiftung (a foundation linked to German trade unions) conducted by surveying 60 000 salaried workers, shows that the...
Germany: first warning strikes in the steel industry
The renegotiation of collective agreements in the steel industry (104 000 workers) is making no progress. It started at the end of August in three Western Länder and in former East Germany. IG...
Italy: One third of salaried employees earn less than 1000 euros a month
More than one third of Italian employees must live with less than 1000 euros (take home) per month, according to a study of the Institute of economic and social research (Ires) and the Italian...
CJEC specifies the scope of the directive on collective redundancies
Further to a decision of close-down of an undertaking, the Greek jurisdiction thought that the employer did not have to be subjected to the obligations of the directive relating to economic...
Commission to launch public consultation on EU framework for health services
The Commission should shortly adopt a communication, on which will be based a consultation of Member States on the effectiveness of health care and in which the Commission will examine the...
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
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
4
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
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