News

European Federation of Metallurgists is opposed to the hostile takeover bid of Mittal on Arcelor
The European Federation of metallurgists (EFM) who fears many job cuts in the event of a merger between the Dutch group Mittal and Arcelor, speaks in praise of the social policy of the European...
Footwear industry : social partners ask for origin labellin of footwear
In a joint declaration, on January 26, 2006, the Footwear industry’s social partners welcomed the European Commission’s proposal for a regulation establishing a compulsory indication of the...
France: a recommandation reminds the rules on State aid to companies
A memo of January 26, 2006 relating to the application in France of Community rules on competition, involving government aid to companies (OJ n° 26 of January 31, 2006, p. 1602) reminds local...
Netherlands : it will be easier to fire an employee
On January 25th, four multinational companies; Philips, Shell, Unilever and Azko Nobel have once again backed the draft law -currently in Parliament- which aims at "flexibilising" layoffs and...
Germany : new rules for unemployment benefits
Starting February 1st 2006, new rules apply to the jobseeker’s allowance called "Arbeitslosengeld 1". The changes enacted by the January 1st, 2004 legislation involve the length and conditions of...
Labour market reforms are too slow, says the Commission
On January 25th, the European Commission published its annual report on growth and jobs. By this means, which is part of the re-launching of the Lisbon Strategy, it expects Member States to drive...
AXA renews its agreement on the European work council
The management of the AXA group and five of the six French trade-union organizations (CFE-CGC, CFDT, CFTC, CGT, Unsa) renewed, last October 6, the agreement creating the European council of the...
Spain is ordered to modify its regulations involving private security activities
For the Cour of Justice, Spain has failed to fulfil its obligations (regarding art. 43 of the Treaty which guarantees freedom of establishment, and art. 49 which relates to freedom to provide...
Romania: trade unions unhappy with the draft directive on services
In a few days, the European Parliament will give its opinion on the draft Bolkestein Directive. The European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC) will organize, on February 14 in Strasbourg, a huge...
30 January 2006
Italy : the national metalworkers contract is renewed
After thirteen months of negotiations and a strike of 62 hours, social partners of the Metal Industry sector reached an agreement on the new national contract. (Ref. 0679)
Netherlands : plan to set a ceiling for public sector salaries
Big changes are in sight for salaries in Netherlands’ para-public sector. The Parliament wishes to set a money ceiling for certain functions. (Ref.0677)
28 January 2006
Great Britain : press review- January 23rd to 27th 2006
Governmental plans to offshore Department for Work and Pensions' call-centers, and major overhaul for the Incapacity Benefits (IB) system, were very interesting issues for the British press this...
27 January 2006
Germany: press review -January 20th to 27th 2006
The German press has picked up the controversy on the family policy, which is dividing partys in the coalition government of Angela Merkel. (Ref. 0675)
27 January 2006
Great Britain : a draft bill about corporate manslaughter that would cover death at work
After years of beating about the bush, the new law on deadly accidents at work is ready and has to be submitted to Parliament. (Ref. 0674)
European social partners due to deal with harassing and violence at work
On February 7th, 2006, European social partners will open a negotiation aimed at concluding a voluntary agreement on harassing and violence at work. (Ref 0671).
European social partners agree on a work programme for 2006-2008
On January 26, 2006, in Brussels, negotiation teams of European employers (Unice/UAPME and CEEP) and the European Confederation of trade unions (ETUC) agreed, at a meeting of the committee for...
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1
Import bans on forced labor products are multiplying
Under pressure from new US tariffs, many countries have presented texts in recent weeks to ban the import of products made with forced labor. A real breakthrough for workers' rights or a mere...
9 September 2026
2
France: EDF served formal notice for failure to comply with its sustainability due diligence obligations
The news. On 23 September, Greenpeace France announced that it had served EDF with a formal notice for failure to comply with its sustainability due diligence obligations due to the risks of harm...
24 September 2026
3
Slovakia: a bill to “clarify” personal data protection measures
The news. The Slovak government approved a bill on personal data protection on August 26, 2026. This text aims to clarify existing regulations regarding employees’ rights and...
7 September 2026