News

Unemployment rate stable in the Euro-zone and in the EU 25
According to Eurostat, the seasonally-adjusted unemployment rate was at 8,3% in January 2006 in the Euro-zone. It is unchanged compared to December 2005 and has decreased compared to January 2OO5...
2 March 2006
Great-Britain: the working hours regulation has cost companies over 23,5 billion euros
British firms beard 50 billion pounds of accrued costs because of the working hours regulations that came into force in 1998, denounced the British Chamber of commerce (BCC) this week. (Ref. 06197)
Sweden : less sick leaves, but the result is more people on welfare
A report from the national agency of social affairs and health qualifies the results of the governmental policy aimed at lowering the number of sick leaves. The number of people who are recipients...
1 March 2006
Great-Britain : the impact of the free movement of workers from new EU countries is “broadly positive”
This study deals with the immigration from 8 (Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Slovenia and Slovakia) of the 10 new member states , Cyprus and Malta were already...
1 March 2006
Germany : First warning strikes take place in the metal industry
Workers in the metal industry of Bade Württemberg went on strike for the first time this year, as a warning. German employees are allowed to organize short strikes, often a few hours a day, to...
1 March 2006
France: a new association of professionals is devoted to social measuring
How to count the number of employees at the international level? Which criteria should be chosen to measure the participation rate in vocational training activities in Europe? The Ipsoc...
1 March 2006
Slovakia : Employment agencies adopt a new «client-oriented approach»
Counseling services and financial aid for workers’ mobility will be improved. The cost of employment services provided by the government will increase by 100 million Crowns a year. (Réf. 06194)
Germany : electoral campaign for work councils is launched
On 28 February 2006, the minister for Work and Social Affairs, Franz Müntefering, launched the official campaign for the work councils elections (Betriebsratswahlen 2006) that will take place on...
1 March 2006
Germany: after 40 days of strike, an agreement is concluded at AEG
After several hours of negotiations and five weeks of strike, the trade union IG Metall and the management of AEG, a subsidiary of Electrolux, worked out an agreement to compensate the 1750...
France : no official position on open boundaries for now
Only 5 EU States will soon allow all EU citizens to work on their territory. France could adopt an in-between position. (Ref. 06190)
European Commission and Parliament want to make directive on workers’ posting more efficient
Checking is the major weak point. Deputies want more standardization. (Ref. 06189)
Great-Britain : 30 years after the Equal Pay Act, a huge gender gap remains.
Women still earn 17% less than men, according to a report of the Commission "Women and work" released February 27th. (Ref. 06188)
28 February 2006
Czech republic : government wants to save LG Philips subsidiary factory
Over 1000 jobs are potentially threatened in Hranice na Morave. The government wants to help financially. But if the factory stops its activities, it will have to reimburse the Czech government...
27 February 2006
Commission report on gender equality in 2006
This report will be introduced to European leaders at the next European Council (March 23rd and 24th). It draws an assessment of gender inequality in terms of employment and proposes some...
A new universal labour code for seamen
Members of the International Labour organization sign an agreement aimed at improving and standardizing seamen's working conditions. 1.2 million workers are concerned by this agreement. (Ref...
The non-recognition of service periods in the public sector of another member State violates Community law
Spain has been condemned for violating the principle of equal treatment between Spanish nationals and Community nationals in terms of working conditions. (Ref. 06184)
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
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...