News

Germany: controversy over long-term unemployment benefits
The debate over a toughening of compensation conditions for the long-term unemployed is going on. After CDU-CSU representatives, large charity organizations are also asking for a reduction of...
Migrant workers : definition of partial unemployment
A decision of the Administrative Commission of the European Communities on social security for migrant workers relating to the definition of “partial unemployment” is published in the Official...
Spain : proposals to modernize the Public sector
The Minister of public administration, Jordi Sevilla, said he was in favour of flexible retirements, extension of telecommuting and salary linked to merit for civil servants. A negotiation on new...
Netherlands : more freedom for the implementation of health and safety standards
As of 1 January 2007, employers and employees will have more freedom in the development of health and safety policies in their companies, according to a bill submitted on 9 May to the Parliament...
Netherlands : reinforcement of factory inspectorate checking in hospitals
The factory inspectorate announced, May 15, a reinforcement of checking measures in 102 hospitals throughout the country, to check the improvement of working conditions envisaged by the agreements...
Transnational negotiation: the European Commission opens the debate with European social partners
The European Commission brought together the European social partners and Member State representatives at a working seminar on 17th May, in order to initiate discussions on transnational...
Great Britain: the TUC calls for a law making it easier to exercise the right to strike
A century after the first parliamentary text on labour disputes, the TUC, the main trade union confederation, is calling for the adoption of a law on trade union freedom (Trade Union Freedom...
Portugal: Prime Minister announces a draft reform of retirement pensions
Facing the need to reform the Portuguese system of retirement pensions, which has become unsuited given the lengthening of life expectancy and the declining birth rate, Prime Minister José...
Transnational negotiation: discussion with Bart Samyn, deputy secretary-general of the European Metalworkers Federation
Whereas the European social partners met on 17 May in order to discuss of a Community initiative as regards transnational negotiation, Bart Samyn, deputy secretary General of the European...
General Motors : 900 job cuts in Great Britain
General Motors, the world's number one car manufacturer, announced on 17 May 2006 the shedding of 900 jobs in its factory of Ellesmere Port, close to Liverpool, which manufactures Opel Astra under...
The European Commission invites Slovenia and Lithuania to be careful on the evolution of wages
The European Commission gave its opinion, on 16 May 2006, on the capacity of Slovenia and Lithuania to join the euro zone as of 1 January 2007. Slovenia is doing well, but Lithuania must be...
Germany: retirement contributions will increase as of 1 January 2007
The Minister of social Affairs, Franz Münterfering, presented a report on the evolution of pension funds' accounts and contribution rates. This rate will increase from 19,5% to 19,9% on 1 January...
The Court of Justice specifies its jurisprudence on patients’ freedom of movement
The Watts judgment was very awaited. Its length (25 pages) is linked to the stakes posed for the national systems of health which, such as the British NHS, provide free health care for their...
Spain: a study on the consequences of the massive arrival of immigrant workers
A study conducted by a group of researchers of the universities of Almeria and Barcelona reveals that the arrival of immigrant workers has accelerated the professional evolution of Spanish workers...
EADS: the European work’s council discusses the closing of a subsidiary company
Following EADS's announcement, last 12 May, that it planned to close the site of Sogerma in Bordeaux Mérignac (France), the European work's council of the group published an official statement...
Great Britain : “vacation disease” is falling
British employees' absences have fallen at their lowest level in 20 years, but the culture of absenteeism persists in companies and costs more than 13 billion Pounds a year to the economy (more...
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
EU: Commission launches consultation with social partners on quality jobs
On 4 December, the European Commission launched the first phase of consultation with social partners with a view to a European directive on jobs, which is scheduled for the end of 2026. It could...
4 December 2025
2
EDF bans alcohol on all its sites
From 1 January 2026, French energy giant EDF (180,000 employees) will prohibit alcohol consumption at all internal and external corporate events, from social gatherings to seminars. The policy...
26 November 2025
3
United Kingdom: government scraps plan to introduce ‘day one’ protection against unfair dismissal
The UK government announced on 27 November, in a statement, that it would not be introducing the right to challenge unfair dismissal (without cause) from the first day of employment in its...
3 December 2025
4
Poland: bill adopted to amend definition of psychological harassment
On 27 November, the Polish cabinet adopted a draft amendment to the labour code aimed at simplifying the definition of psychological harassment at work, or “mobbing” (Article 94 3)...
4 December 2025
5
EU: MEPs demand directive on algorithmic management
Members of the European Parliament have called for a directive on algorithmic management. Such legislation would introduce obligations for companies to inform employees, assess health and safety...
17 December 2025
6
Austria: European rules on wage transparency expected to cause a cultural shock
With the gender pay gap in Austria being the second largest in the European Union (18.3%), the Austrian government has promised to introduce a bill next spring to transpose the European directive...
27 November 2025