News

Germany: metal industry avoids strike through a “historic agreement”
The employers' organisation Metall NRW and the union IG-Metall in North Rhineland Westpahlia signed an agreement that has been described as historic by many observers. Apart from the 3% increase...
Great Britain: the immigration from eastern countries is « an elixir » for British economy
According to a survey of Ernst and Young Item Club, published this weekend in the press, the flow or workers from new EU Member States has contribute to reduce inflation, to improve productivity...
Finland: merger planned between 6 trade unions.
Trade union federations of chemistry, paper, wood, building, electricity and of communications are planning a merger in a few months. The future organisation would gather 283 000 members together...
Belgium: regions list the trades open to workers from new member States
The Council of Ministers adopted a royal decree on 21st April which sets out the lists of professions for which there is a shortage of labour and for which work permits will be granted more easily...
France: “contract of professional transition” begins experiment
Tested during one year in seven employment areas, the “contract of professional transition” aims at facilitating the return to work of people fired for economic reasons by companies of less than...
Great Britain: the closing of the PSA factory in Ryton seen by the press
Press review from 17 to 21 April 2006. All British newspapers reacted, Wednesday 19 April, to the announcement the day before of the closing of the PSA factory in Ryton, close to Coventry. The...
24 April 2006
Germany: conflict in the metal industry and Volkswagen’s mass layoffs plans
Press review from 17 to 21 April 2006. The threat of a hard strike in the German metal branch and the comments on the meeting of Volkswagen' board of directors dominated the news in the German...
24 April 2006
Poland: Government measures against unemployment and for seniors’ employment
According to the daily newspaper Gazeta Prawna, the Polish government is preparing a bill on the labour market which aims at fighting unemployment and to stimulate the employment of seniors. Among...
Great Britain : pension funds’ deficit triggers their closure
It is the motors manufacturer Rolls-Royce's turn to consider closing its pension fund to its new salaried workers, a decision that has already been made by more than half (57%) of the british...
Neederlands : Strike at Nedcar’s
The Dutch Unions' Federation (FNV) and the Christians Unions' Federation (CNV) called for a 24-hour strike at the Nedcar's car assembly plant on April, 19th. The social movement will be extended...
Netherlands : unions want a national retraining fund
The biggest group of affiliated trade unions, the FNV, has enterred into a negociation within the Economy and Social issues' Council (SER) in order to bring about some change in the polders. It...
Finland : workers from the new EU Member States will have to register in order to work
After having announced, early March, the complete lift of restrictions for new EU workers who wish to work in Finland (see our article n°06127), the Finnish government is proposing a bill that...
Volkswagen: the restructuring plan remains vague
Contrary to expectations, the meeting of Volkswagen's board of directors did not bring more details on the company's reorganization plan. (Ref. 06391)
Poland: law transposing the “workers’ consultation” directive is adopted
This law, adopted on last 7 April, which transposes the directive on information and consultation of workers, must still be promulgated by the President of the Republic. Awaiting the forthcoming...
Great Britain: many reactions after PSA announces closing of its Ryton factory
Reactions have been flowing since the announcement, last 18 April, of the closing of the PSA factory in Ryton (see our article n°06380). Trade unions are ready to act, but the head of the...
20 April 2006
ETUC draws the attention of the Commission on the Viking case
The Viking and Valxhom case, currently before the CJCE, involves the freedom to provide services and trade unions' right to act. The European Commission is due to give its observations to 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.
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Italy: decree-law adopted to increase workplace safety
On 28 October, the Italian cabinet adopted a decree-law on health and safety at work, aimed at preventing and reducing accidents. The text addresses both the powers and actions of supervisory...
4 November 2025
2
Spain: already well on the way to pay transparency?
Spain is preparing for the implementation of its national law transposing the EU Pay Transparency Directive, which will take effect on 7 June 2026. The legislation marks another step forward in...
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Romania: parents of children with disabilities granted up to eight days of remote work per month
On 9 October, the Romanian parliament adopted a bill aiming to bolster support for parents of children with disabilities up to the age of 18. The legislation, which came into force on 12 October...
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mind RH analysis – Initial findings from CSRD social indicators
In 2025, for the first time, the universal registration documents of major European companies contain the sustainability reporting required by the EU Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive...
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Italy: European pay transparency directive, a major step forward for businesses
Italy’s labour market continues to suffer from limited pay transparency and a persistent gender pay gap. The forthcoming implementation of the EU pay transparency directive — still awaiting...
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6
Germany: EU pay transparency directive to force companies to ‘get tough’
Germany introduced a pay transparency law in 2017, meaning companies are already somewhat familiar with the issue. However, the broader scope and stricter requirements of the EU directive, the...
24 October 2025