Managing the fallout of Covid-19

On top of the economic crisis, Norway is facing a major jobs problem because of the Covid-19 pandemic. In the past few weeks unemployment has risen from 2.3% to 10.9%, echoing levels unheard of...

26 March 2020

France: adoption of three ordinances modifying the Labor Code to cope with the consequences of Covid-19

On 25 March 2020, France’s Council of Ministers adopted three ordinances under the Emergency Bill of 23 March 2020 to cope with the Covid-19 pandemic (c.f. article No. 11749). One of the three...

25 March 2020

Germany: lack of legal validity for decisions made via videoconference poses a serious issue for works councils

The German laws on codetermination are definitive. Works council decisions made via videoconference have no legal value. However, amid the economic crisis triggered by the Covid-19 pandemic, works...

25 March 2020

Italy: new agreement to protect banking sector employees with branch offices only open for scheduled customer appointments

On 24 March Italy’s banking sector employers and trade union bodies together signed a new agreement that includes the anti-coronavirus protocol from the preceding week (c.f. article No. 11732)...

25 March 2020

Mexico: government recommends social distancing and announces no intentions to support businesses

While Mexico has just moved into the second stage of the Covid-19 pandemic, the government published (24 March) a decree calling on vulnerable citizens (those with underlying chronic health...

25 March 2020

Argentina: economic and social measures start being announced to attenuate the impact of the Covid-19 crisis

Damage control at all costs during the coronavirus pandemic. In Argentina, as in elsewhere, the issue is how to limit the nefarious consequences on businesses and workers of shutting down...

25 March 2020

Switzerland: Federal Council adopts a SF40 billion-support package for companies and jobs

On Friday 20 March Switzerland’s government submitted a SF 40 billion (€38 billion) support package for companies and jobs, which will be passed by Parliament on Wednesday 25 March. In addition to...

24 March 2020

Brazil: controversy sparked over extraordinary measures by President Bolsonaro to make labor law more flexible

On 22 March Brazil’s President Jair Bolsonaro published a ‘provisional measure’ in the Official Journal (decree with legal force which will run for 60 days and can be renewed once) concerning...

24 March 2020

EU: IndustriALL Europe launches a debate on the definition for ‘essential production activities’

Europe’s industry trade union federation, IndustriALL Europe, has called for ‘stricter definitions of essential production in the chemical and pharmaceutical industries and for workers' rights to...

24 March 2020

Italy: protecting workers in the transport-logistics sectors as well as those involved in home deliveries

While the halting of all non-essential activities that was decided between 21 and 22 March has provoked the ire of the trade unions for being too lax and which may prompt these union towards...

24 March 2020

United States: warehouses and supermarkets hiring massively to cope with demand

During this Covid-19 pandemic, two business sectors are bucking a general downtrend with extremely strong growth, namely the supermarket and distribution sectors. With demand levels already high...

24 March 2020

Chile: authorities launch an arsenal of measures aimed at protecting jobs and workers

On 19 March, Budget Minister Ignacio Briones announced a massive $12 billion ‘Economic Emergency’ plan, the equivalent of 4.7% of domestic GDP in a bid to protect and safeguard Chile’s economy...

24 March 2020

France: emergency bill adopted to address Covid-19 crisis

On 22 March the French parliament passed an emergency bill to address the Covid-19 pandemic. The bill allows the government to introduce emergency measures by ordinance, particularly in the areas...

23 March 2020

Germany: crisis agreement struck in metals sector

Social partners in Germany’s metals sector announced on Friday 20 March their decision to suspend negotiations over the renewal of a branch agreement which was due to be agreed in principle in...

23 March 2020

United Kingdom: state to pay up to 80% of wages of workers unable to work during coronavirus pandemic

Amid the ongoing worldwide pandemic and following its decision to close the majority of non-essential shops, the UK government unveiled an unprecedented plan on 20 March to support jobs in the...

23 March 2020

Finland: government plan for stemming the Covid-19 tide draws on social partners joint proposals

On 20 March the government announced an economic support plan to tackle the coronavirus pandemic, the budget for which will cost an estimated €15 billion. The plan will be implemented via a series...

23 March 2020

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France: Orange submits gender equality agreement – including AI provisions – for union approval

The three representative trade unions at Orange France have until 10 December to validate an agreement on gender equality, work–life balance and anti-discrimination measures. While the text...

8 December 2025

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...

31 October 2025

Candice Guillot (Talan): “Our recruiters save just over 80 hours per year on administrative tasks thanks to AI”

Candice Guillot, group director of employee experience and HR performance at Talan (7,000 employees), outlines for mind RH her vision and strategy for introducing artificial intelligence at the...

20 October 2025

France: generative AI and older workers central to BPCE’s skills management strategy

On 17 July 2025, BPCE and its trade unions signed a second agreement on jobs and career management within the banking group. The text places generative artificial intelligence at the core of its...

15 October 2025

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Pascale Rauline (Axa EWC): “European charter formalises ongoing and accelerated social dialogue on AI”

On 27 November, Axa and its European works council (EWC) signed a charter setting out principles governing the deployment of artificial intelligence (AI) and guaranteeing social dialogue on the...

3 December 2025

Germany: crisis-hit industries cast shadow over 2026 bargaining cycle

In 2026, collective wage agreements for nearly 10 million employees in Germany are set to expire. With upcoming negotiations in crisis-hit 'pilot' sectors such as chemicals and metalworking, the...

2 December 2025

Bulgaria: government approves bill to encourage sector-level collective bargaining

On 26 November, the Bulgarian government approved amendments to the labour code designed to reinforce the legal framework for sector-level collective bargaining. The reform aims to stimulate...

2 December 2025

France: Decathlon introduces a ‘duty to respect others’ right to disconnect’

A right-to-disconnect agreement was signed in late September for the French arm of the Decathlon sports retail group. It sets out a "duty to respect others’ right to disconnect" and provides...

14 November 2025

France: construction sector turns to long-term partial activity scheme

Amid the ongoing economic crisis hitting France’s construction sector, social partners in the public works industry (350,000 employees) signed an agreement at the end of October enabling companies...

21 November 2025

Inditex European works council mobilises on value sharing

In a joint statement, 10 trade unions comprising the European works council of the Inditex clothing group are calling for rallies in Spain, Belgium, Luxembourg, Portugal, France, Italy and Germany...

24 November 2025