News

Netherlands: college graduates start working with low wages
The wages of young college graduates beginning their career did not increase in 2005, according to a study of Hay Group. For some diplomas, the level of wages even dropped. (Réf. 06530)
Great Britain: government unveils the long-awaited pensions reform
The British government presented, last May 25, the last version of its project to reform retirement pensions. Introduced by the Minister for Work and Pensions, John Hutton, the project is largely...
Germany: the DGB sets out its expectations for labour market reform
Meeting at its congress which began on 22nd May, the federation of German trade unions (DGB) highlighted the plans to reform the labour market, starting with a minimum wage.(Ref. 06526)
Spain: a status for the civil service
The government and the major trade unions representing the civil service, the UGT, Comisiones Obreras and the CSI-CISF, have signed an agreement on the first civil service status in Spain. (Réf...
The Austrian Presidency of the EU could create a surprise regarding the draft working time directive
The draft working time directive is on the agenda for the next EU Council of Ministers responsible for Employment and Social Policies, which will take place on 1st and 2nd June. If the latest...
Dublin Foundation Survey on working time flexibility in companies
The European Foundation for the Improvement of Living and Working Conditions has published the results of its large-scale survey (21 000 companies in 21 countries) on the working time flexibility...
Hungary: agreement is finally concluded at Auchan
After several weeks of negotiations, the management of Auchan in Hungary reached an agreement with employees' trade union. (Ref. 06523)
Slovakia : seeking new investors after Draexlmaier’s decision to go back on its projet
Minister of Economy and Investment and Trade Development Agency SARIO are looking for new investment project to fill up the gap after German producer of automotive industry supplies Draexlmaier...
Spain : Braun will close its Catalan factory in 2008
The electrical goods manufacturer Braun, subsidiary of Procter & Gamble since 2005, has announced the gradual closure of its Esplugues Llobregat factory, outside Barcelona. The process should...
Belgium: creation of a data base on all employment subsidies
The Minister for Employment, Peter Vanvelthoven, wishes to gather in a single data base all the federal and regional sources of subsidies available for employment. Employers will be able to...
Belgium: towards an adoption leave for self-employed workers
The Council of Ministers of last 19 May approved a draft royal decree creating an adoption leave and an adoption allowance for self-employed workers. (Réf. 06529)
Belgium: the government and social partners launch the modernisation of the labour market
Based on discussions with the social partners, the government intends to launch 22 initiatives to modernise the labour market. The government's objective is to successfully "sign a balanced...
Germany: the minimum wage under debate at the German trade union congress
During the visit of Angela Merkel (CDU) to the congress of the Confederation of German Trade Unions (DGB) in session since Monday 22nd May, the minimum wage came under debate. (Ref. 06519)
Czech Republic : the Assembly overturned President’s veto on new Labour code
The assembly of Czech Parliament overturned President's veto and approved the new Labour Code. The new legislation will take effect on January 1, 2007. (Ref. 06518)
Great Britain : thousands of illegal inquiries on job applicants
Over the past years, the British government conducted thousands of illegal inquiry procedures to check the criminal records of job applicants. Some of them were wrongly identified as criminals...
Poland : a trade union project on early retirements
The Polish Alliance of trade unions (Ogolnopolskie Porozumienie Zwiazkow Zawodowych, OPZZ) has submitted to the Parliament a draft law on early retirement. It woulf concern around 800 000 people...
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1
Spain: new terms and conditions for in-company training contracts
On 25 November, Spain's Council of Ministers approved a regulation on training contracts. This text defines the terms and conditions for hosting work-study students and interns doing professional...
2
EU: Commission issues first recommendation on human capital as part of European Semester
In parallel with the European Semester adopted on 25 November, which proposes guidelines to member states on economic policies for the coming year, the European Commission has adopted an...
3
France: sectors feel economic slowdown to differing degrees
The latest data on France’s occupational sectors (branches professionnelles), covering the year 2023, show how employment trends are shaping workplace dynamics. After a more favourable period for...
4
Germany: apprenticeship openings fall sharply in manufacturing and chemicals
From 1 January 2026, Dutch collective agreements for temporary employment agencies will alter the employment conditions of temp workers. Agencies will be required to pay these workers at least the...