• About EIRO
• Annual reports
• Comparative information
• EU level developments
• Representativeness studies
• Survey Reports
• Browse by:
  • Country
  • Date
  • Sector
  • Subject
• Industrial relations links

June 2004

• 30 Jun 2004
  Spain: Redundancies announced in automotive industry<#PDF_LINK>

  In April 2004, three major large motor manufacturers, Renault, Nissan and Volkswagen, have recently presented redundancy procedures in their Spanish operations.

• 30 Jun 2004
  Poland: NSZZ Solidarność congress adopts new statutes<#PDF_LINK>

  In late May 2004, Poland's Independent and Self-Governing Trade Union Solidarity (NSZZ Solidarność) held its 17th national congress. The main development was the adoption of new statutes, which notably provide for the creation of new structures at local level to bring together members in companies where it is difficult to establish a workplace union section. There was not complete consensus over the new statutes, and only around two-thirds of delegates voted in favour. The congress also further distanced NSZZ Solidarność from direct involvement in politics.

• 30 Jun 2004
  Sweden: Electricians' work environment dispute resolved<#PDF_LINK>

  After three weeks of strike action, a new collective agreement covering 18,000 installation electricians was signed at the end of May 2004 by the Swedish Electric Contractors' Association (EIO) and the Swedish Electricians' Union (SEF). As well as pay rises, a key point in the dispute was the union's demand to include work environment provisions in the agreement. The deal reached provides for a 7.3% pay rise over three years and the intervention of the Work Environment Authority in the event of disagreements over the work environment.

• 30 Jun 2004
  Latvia: Controversy over teachers’ pay continues<#PDF_LINK>

  During the first half of 2004, the pay of teachers and other education workers - a perennial issue of controversy and debate in Latvia - has again been high on the political and industrial relations agenda, even contributing to the fall of the government in February. The key issue is whether a legislative requirement that teachers should receive at least twice the national minimum wage can be met, given a tight state budget and a rising minimum wage.

• 30 Jun 2004
  Poland: Privatisation state of play<#PDF_LINK>

  In 2003, the privatisation process in Poland slowed down considerably and the contribution of the proceeds to public funds was much lower than predicted. The number of employees affected was relatively low and the threat of major job losses has not been as prominent lately as in the past. However, the remaining entities to be privatised from 2004 onwards include those in sectors such as mining, energy generation and armaments that have a strong trade union presence, and unions are sure to seek safeguards and benefits that will not always be acceptable to prospective investors.

• 30 Jun 2004
  Romania: BNS calls for union merger and new political party<#PDF_LINK>

  In April 2004, the National Trade Union Bloc (BNS) - one of Romania's five nationally representative trade union confederations - invited the other union confederations to start talks over a possible merger. The initial responses to BNS's overtures were generally cautious. At the same time, BNS announced that it is to set up a new political party.

• 30 Jun 2004
  Greece: Study examines temporary agency work<#PDF_LINK>

  Temporary agency work is a relatively recent phenomenon in Greece, receiving a specific legislative framework as recently as 2001. An April 2004 report from Adecco Hellas, a temporary employment agency, provides data on the characteristics of agency workers and the jobs they fill. Temporary agency work predominantly involves young people entering the labour market for the first time, and their contracts tend to be very short term.

• 29 Jun 2004
  Greece: Thematic feature - individual labour/employment disputes and the courts<#PDF_LINK>

  This article examines how individual labour/employment disputes are handled through the courts in Greece, as at March 2004.

• 29 Jun 2004
  Spain: Female employment and EU employment policy<#PDF_LINK>

  In 2004, EU employment policy appears to have contributed to increasing women's participation in the Spanish labour market, while EU equal opportunities policy is also having an effect on women's employment. However, some of the new employment for women is temporary, precarious and in low-pay sectors. These are among the findings of recent research and analysis in Spain.

• 29 Jun 2004
  Spain: Ground-breaking agreement signed at SEAT<#PDF_LINK>

  A ground-breaking collective agreement was signed in May 2004 at the SEAT motor manufacturing plant in Martorell, Spain, SEAT . The main innovative features are a five-year duration, the introduction of autonomous work groups, the use of hours poolsto adapt working time to changes in demand, and new family-friendly leave arrangements.

• 29 Jun 2004
  Spain: Productivity agreement reached at Nissan<#PDF_LINK>

  In May 2004, a new company collective agreement was signed at the Spanish operations of Nissan, the Japanese motor manufacturer. Management had initially proposed an agreement to boost productivity though measures such as a pay freeze, and during the ensuing difficult bargaining it threatened numerous redundancies. A four-year deal was finally reached, with Nissan dropping the threatened redundancies and the proposed pay freeze, but the trade unions accepting longer and more flexible working time and lower pay rates for new recruits.

• 29 Jun 2004
  France: Protests over plans to change status of EDF and GDF<#PDF_LINK>

  In May 2004, the French government submitted a bill to parliament that would alter the legal status of the state-owned electricity and gas companies, EDF and GDF. Trade unions are critical of the proposals, or oppose them, and most are demanding the bill’s withdrawal. The unions organised a series of protest actions during May and June.

• 29 Jun 2004
  France: Sickness insurance reform remains controversial<#PDF_LINK>

  In June 2004, the French government announced that consultations with the social partners over proposals for a reform of the jointly-managed sickness insurance scheme had been completed. The proposals will now be submitted to parliament in July. The trade unions are all critical of the government's plans, believing that households will bear a disproportionate burden, and a protest demonstration was held on 5 June. However, unity among the unions has broken down, with differing views over the role of sickness insurance.

• 29 Jun 2004
  France: Early retirement following the pensions reform<#PDF_LINK>

  France's 1993 pensions reform law included a number of measures aimed at keeping older people in employment longer, including raising to 65 the age at which an employer can initiate an employee's retirement, and abolishing or restricting many forms of early retirement. In summer 2004, it appears that the law has not yet had a major impact on the retention of older workers. The law allowed exemptions from the ban on employer-instigated retirement before the age of 65 through sectoral collective agreements on the issue, and there has been a spate of such agreements since autumn 2003. Moreover, the methods for early retirement that are still in existence are being used more and more.

• 29 Jun 2004
  EU Countries: Arbeitgeberverbände in Europa<#PDF_LINK>

  Die vorliegende vergleichende Studie untersucht die Arbeitgeberverbände in der gegenwärtigen Europäischen Union, zwei neuen Mitgliedstaaten (Ungarn und Slowenien) und Norwegen. Sie konzentriert sich auf die nationalen, branchenübergreifenden Spitzenverbände der Arbeitgeber(National Employer Peak Associations, NEPAs) in den einzelnen Ländern sowie deren Mitgliedsverbände und untersucht die aktuelle Situation und die jüngsten Entwicklungen im Hinblick auf Organisationsstruktur, Mitgliedschaft, Aufgaben und Zuständigkeiten. Dabei zeigt sich, dass die Arbeitgeberverbände in vielen Bereichen eine zentrale Rolle spielen, von den Tarifverhandlungen über die Lobbyarbeit bis hin zur Mitwirkung in zahlreichen öffentlichen Gremien. Ihre Organisationsstruktur weist erhebliche Unterschiede auf - einige Länder haben beispielsweise nur einen einzigen Spitzenverband, andere sieben oder mehr - und ist häufig komplex. Es gibt keine Anzeichen dafür, dass die generelle Bereitschaft der Arbeitgeber zur Mitgliedschaft in einem Arbeitgeberverband nachlässt, und die Mitgliedszahlen bleiben in den meisten Ländern ziemlich stabil. Viele Verbände rationalisieren jedoch ihre Aufgaben und/oder relevanten Mitgliedsbereiche angesichts des wachsenden Drucks zur ökonomischen Nutzung ihrer Ressourcen.

• 29 Jun 2004
  EU Countries: Les organisations patronales en Europe<#PDF_LINK>

  Cette étude comparative porte sur les organisations patronales dans l’Union européenne actuelle, deux nouveaux États membres (la Hongrie et la Slovénie) et la Norvège. Plaçant plus particulièrement l’accent sur les organisations intersectorielles de niveau supérieur (les associations centrales patronales nationales) et leurs entités affiliées dans chaque pays, l’étude examine la situation actuelle et les développements récents en termes de structures, d’adhérents, d’activités et de responsabilités. Elle montre que les organisations patronales jouent un rôle essentiel dans toute une variété de domaines par le biais de la négociation collective, de leur influence politique et de leur participation à de nombreux organismes officiels. Leur structure est très variable -certains pays par exemple ne comptent qu’une seule organisation centrale contre plus de sept dans d’autres - et souvent complexe. Aucun signe ne laisse présager que les employeurs seraient moins disposés à rejoindre des organisations et dans la plupart des pays, les niveaux d’adhésion semblent assez stables. Toutefois, beaucoup d’organisations cherchent à rationaliser leurs activités et/ou domaines d’affiliation afin de répondre aux pressions croissantes pour économiser les ressources.

• 28 Jun 2004
  Norway: Thematic feature - individual labour/employment disputes and the courts<#PDF_LINK>

  This article examines how individual labour/employment disputes are handled through the courts in Norway, as at March 2004.

• 28 Jun 2004
  Italy: Thematic feature - individual labour/employment disputes and the courts<#PDF_LINK>

  This article examines how individual labour/employment disputes are handled through the courts in Italy, as at March 2004.

• 28 Jun 2004
  Hungary: Thematic feature - individual labour/employment disputes and the courts<#PDF_LINK>

  This article examines how individual labour/employment disputes are handled through the courts in Hungary, as at March 2004.

• 28 Jun 2004
  Italy: Fiom congress seeks to restore dialogue<#PDF_LINK>

  In June 2004, Fiom-Cgil, the largest trade union in Italy's key metalworking sector, held its national congress in Livorno. The congress concluded with re-election of the organisation's general secretary, Gianni Rinaldini, and adoption of a united final document. The main points discussed were bargaining policy and representation - two themes that are crucial if dialogue is to be restored with the other metalworkers’ unions after a period of conflict and separate agreements.

• 28 Jun 2004
  Belgium: Unions protest against draft EU services Directive<#PDF_LINK>

  Belgian trade unions are opposing a January 2004 European Commission proposal for a Directive on services in the internal market. The unions fear the plans will damage the protection and rights of service sector workers and the quality of public services. In June, they organised a public demonstration against the proposal in Brussels, supported by a broad coalition of NGOs and political parties.

• 28 Jun 2004
  Denmark: Two major unskilled workers' unions agree merger<#PDF_LINK>

  In May/June 2004, the members of the General Workers’ Union (SiD) and the National Union of Female Workers (KAD) voted on a merger proposed by the leaderships of the two trade unions. The result was overwhelmingly in favour and the turn-out was higher than expected. A major new union for unskilled workers will thus be created, though the merger will also mean an end to one of the world’s few unions for women workers only.

• 28 Jun 2004
  Bulgaria: Pay developments over 2003-4 examined<#PDF_LINK>

  In the run-up to Bulgaria's accession to the EU (planned for 2007), incomes and pay policy are in the spotlight. Since the early 1990s, the value of wages has fallen, and the level of the minimum wage has declined as a proportion of average pay. This article looks at developments over 2003-4 in areas such as the minimum wage, pay setting in the public and private sector, and the share of total incomes made up by wages.

• 28 Jun 2004
  Cyprus: Bargaining deadlocked in metalworking<#PDF_LINK>

  In early June 2004, the Cyprus Ministry of Labour and Social Insurance declared a deadlock in a labour dispute regarding renewal of the collective agreement for the 6,000 workers in the metalworking industry, which centres on disagreements over pay increases and working time. In mid-June, the trade unions were in the process of calling industrial action.

• 28 Jun 2004
  Estonia: Working time legislation to be amended<#PDF_LINK>

  In May 2004, the Estonian government approved the drafts of amended legislation on working time. The changes aim to remove contradictions between EU Directives and Estonian legislation in this area. The social partners take differing views of the amendments. This article reviews the current legislation and proposed changes, while also looking at the latest data on actual working time.

• 25 Jun 2004
  Ireland: Thematic feature - individual labour/employment disputes and the courts<#PDF_LINK>

  This article examines how individual labour/employment disputes are handled through the courts in Ireland, as at March 2004..

• 25 Jun 2004
  Estonia: Thematic feature - individual labour/employment disputes and the courts<#PDF_LINK>

  This article examines how individual labour/employment disputes are handled through the courts in Estonia, as at March 2004.

• 25 Jun 2004
  Finland: Social partners cooperate to tackle undeclared work in construction<#PDF_LINK>

  The informal economy and undeclared work are relatively widespread in the construction industry in Finland. The social partner organisations in the sector have tackled this issue in various ways, most effectively by agreeing to use an electronic pass system for workers and contractors at building sites. However, many of the measures that have been agreed have affected only established and organised companies. This article reviews the situation in mid-2004.

• 25 Jun 2004
  Malta: Debate over social pact continues<#PDF_LINK>

  The Maltese government is promoting the need for a tripartite social pact, with the aim of improving the country's current precarious economic situation. In March 2004, the Union of United Workers (UHM) issued its proposals for such a pact, and in May the Malta Employers Association (MEA) followed with its ideas. MEA stresses the need for economic competitiveness in order to generate jobs, and calls for the adoption a range of new strategies.

• 25 Jun 2004
  Germany: New data published on further training and education<#PDF_LINK>

  In April 2004, the Federal Statistical Office published new survey data on further training and education in Germany, finding that, over a one-year period, 14% of employees had participated in formal further training. Furthermore, according to a survey published in June by the Federal Institute for Vocational Training, experts are increasingly optimistic about the future of vocational training in the longer term.

• 25 Jun 2004
  EU Level: June social and employment Council<#PDF_LINK>

  An EU social policy and employment Council meeting was held at the beginning of June 2004. Ministers dealt with issues relating to social security and social protection, and agreed the 2004 employment package. They also discussed establishing a European Gender Institute and examined a proposed Directive relating to equal access to goods and services for women and men.

• 25 Jun 2004
  EU Level: Agreement reached on Constitutional Treaty<#PDF_LINK>

  EU heads of state and ministers met in Brussels on 17-18 June 2004 for a European Council summit meeting and to discuss modifications to the draft Constitutional Treaty. Agreement was reached on the text of the Treaty, which seeks to ensure the smooth running of the enlarged Union of 25 Member States. As before, the draft Treaty incorporates the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union, which enshrines a number of labour and social rights for citizens.

• 24 Jun 2004
  EU Countries: Übersicht über die Umsetzung der Rahmenrichtlinie zur Gleichbehandlung<#PDF_LINK>

  Der vorliegende Bericht untersucht die Situation in den EU-Mitgliedstaaten und in Norwegen im Hinblick auf die Umsetzung der EU-Richtlinie 2000, die einen allgemeinen Rahmen für die Verwirklichung der Gleichbehandlung in Beschäftigung und Beruf festlegt. Die Richtlinie sieht den Schutz vor Diskriminierung im Erwerbsleben wegen der Religion oder Weltanschauung, einer Behinderung, des Alters oder der sexuellen Ausrichtung vor. Die Frist für die Umsetzung der Richtlinie in nationales Recht lief im Dezember 2003 ab, wobei für die Bestimmungen zu Alter und Behinderung eine Zusatzfrist in Anspruch genommen werden konnte. Der vorliegende Bericht beruht auf einer Umfrage der nationalen Zentren des Europäischen Observatoriums für die Entwicklung der Arbeitsbeziehungen (EIRO), in denen die Entwicklungen bis August 2003 überwacht und bewertet wurden.

• 24 Jun 2004
  EU Countries: Vue d’ensemble de la mise en œuvre de la directive sur l’égalité de traitement<#PDF_LINK>

  Ce rapport examine la situation dans les États membres de l’UE ainsi qu’en Norvège concernant la mise en œuvre de la directive de 2000 de l’UE portant création d'un cadre général en faveur de l'égalité de traitement en matière d'emploi et de travail. La directive introduit une protection contre la discrimination dans l’emploi fondée sur la religion ou les convictions, un handicap, l'âge ou l'orientation sexuelle. La directive devait être transposée dans le droit national avant décembre 2003, bien que des extensions aient été autorisées pour le handicap et l’âge. Ce rapport s’appuie sur une enquête des centres nationaux de l’EIRO évaluant et suivant les développements survenus jusqu’en août 2003.

• 23 Jun 2004
  EU Countries: Évolution des salaires -2003<#PDF_LINK>

  Cette étude des tendances de l’évolution des salaires en 2002 et 2003 montre que les augmentations de salaires nominaux négociées collectivement sont en moyenne passées, dans l’UE et en Norvège, de 3,5% en 2002 à 3,1% en 2003 - des variations majeures existant toutefois selon les pays. Cette baisse indique une accentuation de la tendance à la modération salariale dans de nombreux pays. Si l’on tient compte de l’inflation, le taux d'augmentation réelle a en fait légèrement augmenté entre 2002 et 2003, suite à la baisse de l’inflation. Dans les dix pays adhérents et candidats étudiés, l’augmentation moyenne des salaires nominaux négociée collectivement a été bien plus importante, passant de 8,1% en 2002 à 9,4% en 2003, et les salaires réels ont également augmenté plus rapidement que dans l'UE actuelle. Cette étude observe également la productivité, les augmentation salariales négociées collectivement dans des secteurs choisis, les augmentations des revenus moyens et des salaires minimums et les inégalités salariales entre les sexes.

• 23 Jun 2004
  EU Countries: Lohn- und Gehaltsentwicklungen - 2003<#PDF_LINK>

  In dieser Studie zu allgemeinen Tendenzen im Bereich der Löhne und Gehälter in den Jahren 2002 und 2003 wird festgestellt, dass die Erhöhungen des nominalen, tariflich vereinbarten Durchschnittslohns in der EU und Norwegen von 3,5 % im Jahr 2002 auf 3,1 % im Jahr 2003 gesunken sind - allerdings mit beträchtlichen Unterschieden zwischen den einzelnen Ländern. Das weist auf einen sich verstärkenden Trend zur Lohnmäßigung in vielen Ländern hin. Unter Berücksichtigung der Inflation war von 2002 zu 2003 real eine geringe Steigerung zu verzeichnen, da die Inflationsrate gesunken ist. In den zehn untersuchten Beitritts- und Kandidatenländern fiel die durchschnittliche, tariflich vereinbarte Nominallohnsteigerung mit 8,1 % im Jahr 2002 und einem Anstieg auf 9,4 % im Jahr 2003 erheblich höher aus; auch die Reallöhne stiegen schneller als in den bisherigen EU-Mitgliedstaaten. In dieser Studie werden die Produktivität, die tariflich vereinbarten Lohnerhöhungen in ausgewählten Wirtschaftssektoren, Steigerungen der Durchschnittseinkommen und Mindestlöhne und geschlechtsspezifische Unterschiede in der Entlohnung untersucht.

• 22 Jun 2004
  Slovenia: 2003 Annual Review for Slovenia<#PDF_LINK>

  This record reviews 2003's main developments in industrial relations in Slovenia.

• 22 Jun 2004
  Denmark: Thematic feature - individual labour/employment disputes and the courts<#PDF_LINK>

  This article examines how individual labour/employment disputes are handled through the courts in Denmark, as at March 2004.

• 22 Jun 2004
  Malta: Thematic feature - individual labour/employment disputes and the courts<#PDF_LINK>

  This article examines how individual labour/employment disputes are handled through the courts in Malta, as at March 2004.

• 22 Jun 2004
  Austria: Social Democrats make gains in Chamber of Labour elections<#PDF_LINK>

  The five-yearly round of elections of representatives on the governing bodies of the Chambers of Labour - the statutory bodies that represent workers in Austria's system of social partnership - was completed in May 2004. The elections resulted in overall gains for candidates representing the political factions affiliated to the parliamentary opposition, in particular the Social Democratic Party (SPÖ), and a loss of support for those linked to the governing conservative and populist parties.

• 22 Jun 2004
  Netherlands: Minister wants age balance to play greater role in redundancy selection<#PDF_LINK>

  In May 2004, the Dutch Minister of Social Affairs proposed changes to the statutory rules on selection for redundancy, with less emphasis on the last in, first outseniority-based principle and a greater focus on distributing the redundancies between employees of different ages. The social partners have given the idea a mixed reception.

• 22 Jun 2004
  Germany: New package of agreements signed in chemicals<#PDF_LINK>

  In May 2004, a package of new collective agreements was concluded for the German chemicals industry. A 13-month pay agreement provides for a 1.5% increase, plus an additional flat-rate payment equivalent to 7.2% of one month's pay as at May 2004. The flat-rate payment can be cut or cancelled for economic reasons if the parties at company level - ie the employer and works council - agree to do so. Furthermore a new agreement has been signed on increasing the number of apprenticeship places by 7% in the period up until 2007.

• 22 Jun 2004
  Germany: Immigration deal reached as shortage of skilled workers predicted<#PDF_LINK>

  In May 2004, the German government reached a broad political agreement with the major opposition parties on a new immigration law. Business and employers' leaders welcomed the political breakthrough on immigration, in particular because Germany will face a shortage of skilled labour in the future, as highlighted by a new study from the Cologne Institute for Business Research (IW).

• 21 Jun 2004
  United Kingdom: Thematic feature - individual labour/employment disputes and the courts<#PDF_LINK>

  This article examines how individual labour/employment disputes are handled through the courts in the UK, as at March 2004.

• 21 Jun 2004
  Bulgaria: Thematic feature - individual labour/employment disputes and the courts<#PDF_LINK>

  This article examines how individual labour/employment disputes are handled through the courts in Bulgaria, as at March 2004.

• 21 Jun 2004
  Germany: Thematic feature - individual labour/employment disputes and the courts<#PDF_LINK>

  This article examines how individual labour/employment disputes are handled through the courts in Germany, as at March 2004.

• 21 Jun 2004
  Austria: Thematic feature - individual labour/employment disputes and the courts<#PDF_LINK>

  This article examines how individual labour/employment disputes are handled through the courts in Austria, as at March 2004.

• 21 Jun 2004
  Belgium: Thematic feature - individual labour/employment disputes and the courts<#PDF_LINK>

  This article examines how individual labour/employment disputes are handled through the courts in Belgium, as at March 2004.

• 21 Jun 2004
  United Kingdom: Government responds to consultation on UK experience of EWCs<#PDF_LINK>

  In May 2004, the UK Department of Trade and Industry published its response to the comments submitted during a recent consultation exercise on the operation of European Works Councils.

• 21 Jun 2004
  EU Level: Commission launches second consultation on working time Directive<#PDF_LINK>

  In May 2004, the European Commission issued a second stage of consultation of the EU social partners on the revision of the working time Directive. The consultation document urges the partners to negotiate an agreement on the revision of the Directive and outlines the approach that the Commission will take, in the form of its own legislative proposals, if they do not do this.

• 21 Jun 2004
  Ireland: New direction required for governing disputes?<#PDF_LINK>

  Given a radical shift in the industrial relations context in Ireland over the course of recent decades, a growing number of observers believe that the existing system of resolving labour disputes needs updating and that alternative dispute-governanceoptions are required, with more focus on dispute-avoidance methods than hitherto. This article examines the changing dispute-governance landscape as of June 2004 and the debate over whether a new direction is required.

• 18 Jun 2004
  France: 2003 Annual Review for France<#PDF_LINK>

  This record reviews 2003's main developments in industrial relations in France.

• 17 Jun 2004
  Slovakia: 2003 Annual Review for Slovakia<#PDF_LINK>

  This record reviews 2003's main developments in industrial relations in Slovakia.

• 16 Jun 2004
  Romania: 2003 Annual Review for Romania<#PDF_LINK>

  This record reviews 2003's main developments in industrial relations in Romania.

• 16 Jun 2004
  Sweden: 2003 Annual Review for Sweden<#PDF_LINK>

  This record reviews 2003's main industrial relations developments in Sweden.

• 16 Jun 2004
  Portugal: 2003 Annual Review for Portugal<#PDF_LINK>

  This record reviews 2003's main developments in industrial relations in Portugal.

• 16 Jun 2004
  Slovakia: Tax reform implemented<#PDF_LINK>

  A new taxation system has been in place in Slovakia since 1 January 2004. Employees' incomes and employers´ profits are now taxed at a flat rate of 19%. The aim is to simplify the tax system and render it more transparent. Profit-making employers and higher-income individuals will pay lower taxes, but low-income earners will not lose out.

• 16 Jun 2004
  Slovakia: Stricter conditions for social benefits<#PDF_LINK>

  In February 2004, the Slovak government tightened up the conditions for payment of various social benefits. Financial support is now linked to unemployed people’s efforts to find work, while benefits have been cut. Groups hit by the new regulations have organised protest actions, prompting the government to address their complaints.

• 15 Jun 2004
  Latvia: 2003 Annual Review for Latvia<#PDF_LINK>

  This record reviews 2003's main developments in industrial relations in Latvia.

• 15 Jun 2004
  Netherlands: 2003 Annual Review for the Netherlands<#PDF_LINK>

  This record reviews 2003's main industrial relations developments in the Netherlands.

• 15 Jun 2004
  Poland: 2003 Annual Review for Poland<#PDF_LINK>

  This record reviews 2003's main developments in industrial relations in Poland.

• 15 Jun 2004
  EU Countries: National-level tripartism and EMU in the new EU Member States and candidate countries<#PDF_LINK>

  This comparative study examines the role that national-level social pactsbetween governments and social partners might play in paving the way for the new EU Member States and candidate countries to join EU Economic and Monetary Union (EMU) and introduce the euro single currency. As national-level tripartite social dialogue is one of the key institutions of industrial relations in these countries, it may be assumed that some of them will attempt to adjust their economies through social pacts, just as many oldMember States did in the early 1990s. The study reviews the current development of tripartite institutions and the established tripartite practices concerning macroeconomic issues in general, and wage developments in particular, in eight new Member States that joined the EU in May 2004 (Cyprus, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Malta, Poland, Slovakia and Slovenia) and two candidate countries (Bulgaria and Romania). It finds that only one country, Slovenia, has so far concluded a social pact in order to facilitate the introduction of measures to meet the macroeconomic criteria for EMU. Among those countries that can meet these criteria easily, Cyprus and Malta might produce a form of social pact over the amendment of their traditional wage indexation systems, if the social partners opt for such a solution. In the Baltic countries, there does not seem to be a major need for a specific EMU-related social pact, as regular social dialogue and trust-based relationships between the parties are thought to provide the necessary framework for compromises. In some other cases, most notably the central European countries, a social pact over reform measures is arguably needed badly owing to current macroeconomic imbalance, but a lack of political consensus over strategic issues makes it unlikely that governments, employers’ associations and trade unions will reach such comprehensive national accords.

• 15 Jun 2004
  Hungary: Unified Labour Register comes into operation<#PDF_LINK>

  A new Unified Labour Register (known as EMMA) came into operation in Hungary on 1 May 2004. The new system, run by the Public Employment Service, contains information on approximately 2.5 million employees and more than 300,000 employers. All employers must now register new employees before they start work and provide information on matters such as pay rates and working hours. The idea behind the new system is to make the labour market more transparent by making relevant data accessible to employers, employees and the authorities.

• 15 Jun 2004
  Hungary: Tripartite call for local and national employment pacts<#PDF_LINK>

  In May 2004 in Hungary, two employers’ associations, two trade union organisations and the Minister of Employment and Labour signed a joint memorandum urging local labour market actors to develop joint initiatives to improve the employment situation. The document was also signed with a view to concluding a similar national pact.

• 12 Jun 2004
  Sweden: Commission to examine parental leave<#PDF_LINK>

  In May 2004, the Swedish government set up a commission to examine the current system of parental leave and benefits. Trade unions and the Equality Opportunities Ombudsman have been calling for changes to the scheme, mainly to address the unequal situation whereby women take much more parental leave than men.

• 12 Jun 2004
  Italy: Confindustria outlines new approach<#PDF_LINK>

  In late May 2004 , Luca Cordero di Montezemolo was elected as president of Confindustria, Italy's main employers' organisation. In his inaugural speech, Mr Montezemolo called for a relaunch of social dialogue and consultation and criticised the government. The change of approach was welcomed by the trade unions.

• 12 Jun 2004
  Poland: Conflict resurfaces at Wrocławska Jedynka<#PDF_LINK>

  In late April 2003, it appeared that a dispute at Wrocławska Jedynka, a financially troubled Polish industrial construction company, had been resolved by an agreement on the severance terms for redundant workers. However, during May conflict resurfaced as doubts emerged over the funding of the severance payments, and negotiations over the issue broke down.

• 12 Jun 2004
  Poland: Protests at Orlen<#PDF_LINK>

  In May 2004, over 1,000 trade union members held a demonstration outside the head office of the Orlen petroleum company in Płock, Poland. They were protesting against the planned divestment of a number of subsidiaries and against reported plans to relocate Orlen’s corporate headquarters to Warsaw.

• 12 Jun 2004
  Poland: Social partners' incomes to be taxed<#PDF_LINK>

  New legislation means that from January 2005 the revenues of Polish trade unions and employers' organisations are to be subject to corporate income tax. The social partners have protested against this measure, but as of June 2004 without any success.

• 12 Jun 2004
  Latvia: Tax-free income to be increased<#PDF_LINK>

  In June 2004, a proposal from the Ministry of Finance to increase the amount of earnings on which no income tax is paid is due to be submitted to the Latvian cabinet. Under the proposal, the tax-free income threshold will rise to half the level of the minimum wage by 2010. Increasing tax-free income is a long-standing trade union demand.

• 11 Jun 2004
  Italy: New agreement signed for building sector<#PDF_LINK>

  In May 2004, a new sectoral collective agreement was signed for the Italian building sector, which employs around 1.2 million workers. As well as providing for a pay increase of EUR 90 a month, the agreement covers matters such as training, health and safety and joint action to combat undeclared labour.

• 11 Jun 2004
  Spain: New government sets out main lines of employment policy<#PDF_LINK>

  In May 2004, the Minister for Labour and Social Affairs in Spain's new Socialist government presented the main lines of its employment and industrial relations policy. The priorities include limiting the levels of of temporary employment, cutting the costs of open-ended contracts, enhancing the training system and increasing the minimum wage.

• 11 Jun 2004
  Spain: Supreme Court ruling improves employment situation of illegal immigrants<#PDF_LINK>

  In April 2004, the Spanish Supreme Court ruled - in a case brought by the CC.OO trade union confederation - that restrictions placed on the granting of work permits to immigrants in 2002 were invalid. The ruling should improve the employment situation of a large number of illegal foreign workers.

• 11 Jun 2004
  Spain: National minimum wage increased<#PDF_LINK>

  In May 2004, Spain's new Socialist government announced that the national minimum wage will be increased by 6.6% from July. This is the first stage in a substantial rise promised by the government during its term of office.

• 11 Jun 2004
  France: Union concerns as Alstom restructuring continues<#PDF_LINK>

  In June 2004, the management of Alstom, the French engineering group, is putting the finishing touches - with the assistance of the government - to a comprehensive funding plan aimed at getting the company out of the difficult situation it is now experiencing. The European Commission is keeping a close eye on developments to ensure that competition is not undermined. Employees and trade unions alike have voiced concerns as jobs losses mount.

• 11 Jun 2004
  France: Strikes held in state education system<#PDF_LINK>

  Trade unions organising staff in the French state education system called strikes in March and May 2004 in protest at current education policy, the decentralisation of the management of certain categories of staff, and continuing pensions reform. Support for both strikes was limited.

• 10 Jun 2004
  Slovenia: Minimum wage under debate<#PDF_LINK>

  Slovenia has had a form of statutory minimum wage since 1995, with tripartite agreements on increases in the minimum wage subsequently implemented by law. The system has been criticised, as the minimum wage has become a central reference point for the whole pay structure, with tripartite negotiations largely taking the place of genuine pay bargaining between employers and trade unions. Furthermore, the statutory minimum wage is now higher than the first three or four lowest pay rates set out in sectoral collective agreements. This article examines the development of minimum wages, the perceived problems with the system, and attempts to address these issues in 2004.

• 10 Jun 2004
  Slovenia: Tripartite private sector pay policy agreement concluded for 2004-5<#PDF_LINK>

  In April 2004, the Slovenian government and social partners signed a private sector pay policy agreement covering 2004-5, which is due to be enacted by legislation. The deal provides for pay rises of 3.2% in 2004 and 2.7% in 2005, linked to forecast increases in consumer prices, while a minimum cash increase will provide a boost for those on low wages.

• 10 Jun 2004
  Germany: Conference underlines cooperation between 'social movements' and trade unions<#PDF_LINK>

  In May 2004, a conference was organised jointly by German social movements(such as unemployed and anti-globalisation groups) non-governmental organisations, church-related groups and trade unions. The conference demonstrated the considerable degree of cooperation between social movements and a number of important trade unions in developing both national and international perspectives on tackling unemployment and poverty and safeguarding public services, as well as in opposing current cuts in the German social benefits system.

• 10 Jun 2004
  Finland: Draft Directive on services receives mixed response<#PDF_LINK>

  A draft Directive seeking to remove legal and administrative barriers to the development of a free market for services in the EU, proposed by the European Commission in March 2004, has received a mixed response among the Finnish social partners. PT, the service sector employers’ organisation, welcomes the proposal while SAK, the blue-collar trade union confederation, fears that it could lead to insufficient monitoring of employment conditions.

• 10 Jun 2004
  Greece: Holidays postponed for many workers due to Olympics<#PDF_LINK>

  The Olympic Games in Athens in August 2004 will mean the postponement or rearrangement of their annual leave for many groups of workers in the public and private sectors. The Greek General Confederation of Labour (GSEE) and the Ministry of the Interior have both issued circulars that attempt to clear up the legal situation regarding the conditions under which workers may take their summer holidays in 2004.

• 10 Jun 2004
  Spain: Panasonic to close plant and move production to China<#PDF_LINK>

  In May 2004, the Japanese-based Panasonic group announced the forthcoming closure of its MAES vacuum cleaner plant in Spain, with the loss of over 200 jobs, and the relocation of production to China. The company is offering a package of re-employment assistance and redundancy payments to the MAES workforce.

• 10 Jun 2004
  Estonia: Customs officers protest<#PDF_LINK>

  On 27 May 2004, the Federation of Estonian Customs Officers’ Trade Unions held a picket outside the government's headquarters. The protesters were demanding a pay rise, in-service training and investments to strengthen customs controls on Estonia's eastern border.

• 10 Jun 2004
  France: Legality of agreement on social dialogue in craft industry upheld<#PDF_LINK>

  In March 2004, a French court ruled that a December 2001 agreement on social dialogue in the craft industry was legal. The agreement - which introduced a new levy on employers - was signed by the Craftwork Employers' Association (UPA) and the five representative trade union confederations, but other employers' organisations opposed it and have made several - so far unsuccessful - legal challenges to the accord.

• 10 Jun 2004
  Norway: New agreements reached in public sector<#PDF_LINK>

  New collective agreements for the Norwegian central state and municipal sectors were concluded in May 2004. The settlements provide general pay increases for most employees, while funds have been set aside for local bargaining. The signatories estimate that the new agreements will generate wage growth of around 3.5% in 2004.

• 10 Jun 2004
  Bulgaria: New metalworking agreement signed<#PDF_LINK>

  Late May 2004 saw the conclusion of a new collective agreement for the Bulgarian metalworking sector. As well as increasing minimum pay rates, the deal covers matters such as paid annual leave, lay-offs and health and safety.

• 09 Jun 2004
  Finland: 2003 Annual Review for Finland<#PDF_LINK>

  This record reviews 2003's main developments in industrial relations in Finland.

• 09 Jun 2004
  Germany: Parliament passes law on training levy<#PDF_LINK>

  In May 2004, the German parliament passed legislation that will impose a levy on companies that provide insufficient training places. The aim is to reduce current shortages of apprenticeships for young people entering the labour market. Proponents say that it will ensure additional training places, while critics disagree and claim that the law may be counterproductive.

• 09 Jun 2004
  Spain: Debate over future of pensions and social expenditure<#PDF_LINK>

  The future of pensions is a key issue in Spain, as it is throughout the EU, in the light of an ageing population, and various alarming projections have been made of the situation in 2020 or 2040, not least by the European Commission. The issue is also connected with a wider discussion about public social expenditure in Spain, which is low in EU terms. This article examines the situation and the debate in 2004.

• 09 Jun 2004
  Latvia: Labour Law examined<#PDF_LINK>

  Since 2002, the Labour Law has been Latvia's main item of legislation regulating individual and collective relations at work. It transposes many aspects of EU employment law, thus removing the need for major further changes since Latvia joined the Union in May 2004. This article summarises the Law's main provisions, perceived problems with its content and amendments introduced up until April 2004.

• 09 Jun 2004
  Belgium: Social elections bring little change in union support<#PDF_LINK>

  The four-yearly social electionsof employee representatives on works councils and committees for prevention and protection at the workplace were held in Belgium in May 2004. Provisional results indicate that there were very few changes in the relative support for the candidates put forward by the main trade union organisations.

• 08 Jun 2004
  Sweden: Union wins strike over local representation in construction<#PDF_LINK>

  April 2004 saw industrial action by construction workers in the Swedish road and railways sector. The dispute centred on a demand made by the SEKO trade union during bargaining over a new collective agreement for the abolition of a clause on the identity of union representatives in local-level negotiations. The dispute ended when employers conceded the union's demand.

• 08 Jun 2004
  Sweden: Parliament rejects transitional rules for workers from new EU Member States<#PDF_LINK>

  In late April 2004, the Swedish parliament rejected government proposals that would have limited the free movement of workers from the new EU Member States in central and eastern Europe for a two-year transitional period. Most social partner organisations had been opposed to the proposed transitional rules, though the LO trade union confederation proposed a number of other measures to prevent abuses, which were taken up by the government and approved by parliament.

• 08 Jun 2004
  Spain: Report examines immigrants in Catalonia<#PDF_LINK>

  The Information Centre for Foreign Workers (CITE), set up by the CC.OO trade union confederation, is the leading organisation specialised in advising immigrants in Catalonia. Its 2003 annual report provides valuable information on the characteristics of immigrants, their legal situation and their employment situation.

• 08 Jun 2004
  Spain: Collective bargaining on subcontracting examined<#PDF_LINK>

  Outsourcing and subcontracting of activities is a growing phenomenon in Spain, leading to trade union concerns about negative effects on employment conditions. This article reviews the situation, as of 2004, with regard to the treatment of subcontracting in collective bargaining.

• 08 Jun 2004
  Slovakia: New employment conditions introduced in public sector<#PDF_LINK>

  Since 1 January 2004, the public sector in Slovakia has been subject to new employment conditions, affecting both the civil and the public services. Many privileges have been abolished, while employee responsibility and obligations have been increased and the wage system has been changed.

• 08 Jun 2004
  Greece: New rules proposed on fixed-term contracts in public sector<#PDF_LINK>

  In May 2004, the Greek government published a draft Presidential Decree regulating fixed-term contracts in the public sector. The aim is to complete transposition of the 1999 EU Directive on fixed-term work into Greek law, following criticism that earlier implementing legislation failed to comply with the Directive, as it excluded many public sector workers from some of its provisions.

• 08 Jun 2004
  EU Level: Commission highlights social dimension of globalisation<#PDF_LINK>

  In May 2004, the European Commission published a report on how it intends to contribute to securing the social benefits of globalisation. This is partly in response to the publication in February 2004 of the findings of the ILO World Commission on the Social Dimension of Globalisation.

• 08 Jun 2004
  Austria: Plans for major union merger in danger of failure<#PDF_LINK>

  The success of a planned merger of five trade unions affiliated to the Austrian Trade Union Federation (ÖGB) - including the two largest affiliates - has been put into question by inter-union conflicts, which culminated in May 2004 in the withdrawal from the process of the Union of Chemical Workers (GdC).

• 08 Jun 2004
  Denmark: Industrial action falls sharply in 2003<#PDF_LINK>

  According to figures published by Statistics Denmark in April 2004, the number of working days lost due to industrial action in 2003 was down over three-quarters on the 2002 figure.

• 08 Jun 2004
  Ireland: Largest newspaper group shuns Labour Court<#PDF_LINK>

  A decision in April-May 2004 by Ireland’s largest newspaper group, Independent Newspapers, to ignore the entreaties of the public dispute-resolution agencies and push through a redundancy programme for 205 back-officestaff, is widely regarded as a significant milestone in Irish industrial relations.

• 07 Jun 2004
  Italy: Confindustria conference highlights competitiveness<#PDF_LINK>

  Italy's Confindustria employers’ confederation held its two-yearly conference in April 2004. The theme was the challenge of growthand Confindustria's outgoing president, Antonio D’Amato, made an assessment of the past four years of activity. Revitalising Italy’s competitiveness was the priority task that Mr D'Amato handed on to his successor, Luca Cordero di Montezemolo.

• 07 Jun 2004
  Poland: Privatisation and restructuring of petroleum sector<#PDF_LINK>

  Poland’s petroleum industry in general, and the major enterprise PKN Orlen in particular, is undergoing restructuring and privatisation, if relatively slowly. April and May 2004 saw disputes and protests over planned job losses at PKN Orlen and management attempts to impose wage restraint.

• 07 Jun 2004
  Poland: New labour market legislation adopted<#PDF_LINK>

  An Act regarding the promotion of employment and labour market institutions was passed by the Polish parliament in April 2004 and started to come into force on 1 May. The new legislation deals with the state’s duties with respect to fostering employment, assuaging the impact of unemployment and activatingunemployed people. An important role in the achieving these objectives is envisaged for the social partners. Adoption of the Act marks the latest step towards harmonisation of Polish legislation with EU law in this area.

• 07 Jun 2004
  Poland: Dispute hits Wrocławska Jedynka<#PDF_LINK>

  Over January-April 2004, a serious industrial conflict hit Wrocławska Jedynka, a financially troubled Polish industrial construction company. The dispute started when management called for pay cuts in order to save jobs, triggering a strike, and worsened when the company dismissed striking workers. A settlement was finally reached after intervention by regional and national social dialogue institutions.

• 07 Jun 2004
  France: Content of sickness insurance reform still unclear<#PDF_LINK>

  In May 2004, the French government has still not announced the content of a long awaited and several times postponed reform of the jointly-managed sickness insurance scheme. The only area in which any details have yet emerged is a new system of governance for the scheme. The social partners have taken varying positions on the reform.

• 07 Jun 2004
  Estonia: Employment/work contracts examined<#PDF_LINK>

  In May 2004, the draft of a controversial new Employment Contracts Act is still under discussion in Estonia. This article looks at the current legislative framework for employment contracts and other forms of work contract, and at their use in practice.

• 07 Jun 2004
  Norway: Transitional arrangements introduced for free movement of workers from new EU Member States<#PDF_LINK>

  On 1 May 2004 new rules came into force in Norway imposing, for a transitional period, restrictions on the free movement of workers from the new EU Member States in central and eastern Europe. The government has also proposed a number of additional measures aimed at preventing social dumping.

• 07 Jun 2004
  United Kingdom: Mixed reception for European Commission working time proposals<#PDF_LINK>

  The Confederation of British Industry and the Trades Union Congress issued contrasting reactions to proposals for revising the EU working time Directive put forward in a European Commission consultation document in May 2004.

• 07 Jun 2004
  United Kingdom: Union members support merger<#PDF_LINK>

  In May 2004, members of the UK's ISTC steel workers’ union and the Knitwear, Footwear and Apparel Trades Union voted overwhelmingly in favour of a proposed merger between the two organisations.

• 07 Jun 2004
  Malta: Agreement at Maltapost after industrial action<#PDF_LINK>

  In May 2004, Malta's national postal service, Maltapost, became involved in a dispute over staffing levels with the Union of United Workers (UHM). The dispute escalated when UHM instructed employees to refrain from carrying out several work-related tasks. The conflict was finally settled after several meetings involving UHM, Maltapost, and government officials.

• 04 Jun 2004
  Netherlands: Employees' rights and position in bankruptcies - latest developments<#PDF_LINK>

  The number of bankruptcies declared in the Netherlands reached a record high in 2003, and questions have been raised in parliament over the potential misuse of bankruptcies to the detriment of creditors and employees. This article looks at recent developments in legislation and case law on employees' rights and position in the event of their employer's bankruptcy.

• 04 Jun 2004
  Norway: Survey examines lifelong learning<#PDF_LINK>

  A research report published in May 2004 outlines the current conditions for lifelong learning in Norway. It finds that in 2003 61% of employees participated in some sort of training or education, while around half of all employees pursue what the study labels as learning-intensivework. The study reveals significant differences in this area between sectors and between employees with higher and lower levels of education.

• 04 Jun 2004
  Romania: Government launches mining restructuring strategy<#PDF_LINK>

  In April 2004, the Romanian government adopted a restructuring strategy for the mining sector for the 2004-10 period. It envisages that 48,000 jobs out of 68,000 in the industry will be cut, accompanied by financial assistance, job creation measures and retirement. Trade unions have given a muted response to the strategy, with many miners already seeking to leave the industry.

• 04 Jun 2004
  Cyprus: The bi-communal trade union movement after the referendum<#PDF_LINK>

  In May 2004, the Greek Cypriot Pancyprian Federation of Labour (PEO) and the Turkish Cypriot Revolutionary Trade Unions Federation (DEV-IS) held a meeting to assess the results of the referendum held on 24 April 2004 - when the Turkish Cypriot community voted in favour of the Annan Plan for reunification and Greek Cypriot against it - and create a framework for future joint action.

• 03 Jun 2004
  Cyprus: Minimum wage increased for six occupations<#PDF_LINK>

  Cyprus has a system of statutory minimum wages that applies to only six specific occupations. In April 2004, the government increased the minimum rates for these jobs by nearly 8%. This is in line with a previous decision aimed at gradually bringing the minimum wage for the six occupations up to 50% of the national median wage by 2008.

• 03 Jun 2004
  Cyprus: Compulsory medical insurance agreed for migrant workers<#PDF_LINK>

  In April 2004, the Ministry of Labour and the social partners agreed to implement a previous agreement on mandatory healthcare insurance for migrant workers in Cyprus.

• 03 Jun 2004
  France: Developments in employee savings plans<#PDF_LINK>

  After a rather slow development up to the end of the 1990s, some momentum has been injected into the development of employee savings plans in France on two occasions in recent years. The 2001 Fabius lawaimed primarily to facilitate such schemes through opening up new options, while the 2003 Fillon lawbolstered the existing pension savingsstrand of employee savings plans. Trade unions are split in their views on employee savings schemes, but most of them been attempting jointly to influence the investment of these savings since 2002. This article reviews the situation in 2004.

• 03 Jun 2004
  Denmark: Private sector settlement approved in ballot<#PDF_LINK>

  During April 2004, the members of the trade unions affiliated to the Danish Confederation of Trade Unions (LO) voted on whether or not to accept an overall compromise settlement to conclude 2004's various sectoral collective bargaining rounds across the private sector. The members approved the deal by 57% to 43%. However, the turn-out was only 37%, and in some unions there were significantly more nothan yesvotes. Union leaders are thus concerned about a democratic deficitthat may have a negative impact on the legitimacy of collective agreements in the longer term.

• 03 Jun 2004
  Spain: CC.OO holds eighth congress<#PDF_LINK>

  The Trade Union Confederation of Workers’ Commissions (CC.OO), Spain's largest trade union confederation, held its eighth congress in April 2004. CC.OO's position towards the newly-elected Socialist government attracted considerable attention, following a period in which the confederation had - somewhat controversially - engaged in dialogue and negotiation with the previous conservative People's Party administration.

• 03 Jun 2004
  Spain: New agreement signed for temporary employment agencies<#PDF_LINK>

  In April 2004, a new national collective agreement for temporary employment agencies was signed in Spain. As well as improving pay and conditions for the direct employees of the agencies themselves, the agreement contains a commitment by trade unions not to seek clauses in collective agreements in other sectors and companies that restrict the use of temporary agency work. A number of agreements currently contain such restrictive provisions.

• 03 Jun 2004
  Bulgaria: Unions seek guarantees over energy sector privatisation <#PDF_LINK>

  In May 2004, trade unions are in negotiations with the Ministry of Energy and the Privatisation Agency over the employment and industrial relations terms to accompany the forthcoming privatisation of Bulgaria's energy companies. For example, the unions are demanding major pay increases and a freeze on job losses. The negotiations are proving difficult and the unions have organised protest actions.

• 03 Jun 2004
  Italy: First World Congress on Child Labour held in Florence<#PDF_LINK>

  In May 2004, the First World Congress on Child Labour was held in Florence, Italy. The organisers included the main Italian trade union confederations - Cgil, Cisl and Uil - as well as the Global March against Child Labour, a major international organisation involved in combating child exploitation. The congress took stock of progress to date in the fight against child labour, and highlighted gaps between pledges made by governments and social partners and the objectives achieved - some 246 million children are in full-time work worldwide and the trend is upward. The Italian unions also made a number of proposals on how to combat child labour, which is more common in Italy than in most EU countries.

• 02 Jun 2004
  Italy: Agreement reached at Fiat Melfi after major industrial action<#PDF_LINK>

  During April-May 2004, industrial action by workers at the Fiat plant in Melfi, southern Italy, which also involved local suppliers, paralysed all of the car company's plants in Italy by preventing delivery of components from the Melfi factory complex. The protest was the first of significance since construction of the Melfi plant, which is considered a leading example of productivity and corporate efficiency. The industrial action divided the trade unions at Melfi, and was backed by only some of them, notably Fiom-Cgil. It led to the blockading of the factory gates by strikers to prevent the entry of workers and vehicles, and saw tension both between strikers and the police and among the workers themselves. Only after direct intervention by top management and by the general secretaries of the three main union confederations was the blockade lifted and negotiations opened. A deal was finally reached and approved by the workforce.

• 02 Jun 2004
  Finland: Highly educated Finns' purchasing power 'lowest in EU' - AKAVA demands changes<#PDF_LINK>

  According to a comparison of incomes in 14 EU countries, published in April 2004, Finns’ wages are around the average but, due mainly to the high cost of living, their purchasing power is low. Notably, Finnish workers with a higher education have the lowest purchasing power among this group in the countries considered. AKAVA, the trade union confederation representing professional workers, has responded to the research findings by demanding that the position of highly educated Finns be improved by decreasing their tax burden and increasing their wages relative to those of low-skilled workers. These demands have already been partially met, and income inequality has been rising faster in Finland than in the other countries examined in recent years.

• 02 Jun 2004
  France: Strikes accompany difficult restructuring at La Poste<#PDF_LINK>

  France's state-run La Poste postal services group has been restructuring its various departments since the second quarter of 2003, with particular emphasis on its banking and mail operations. The process has been accompanied by outbreaks of industrial action, most recently in May 2004, with unions concerned about job losses and deteriorating conditions of employment. At the same time, parliament has been considering changes to La Poste’s legal status in order to bring it into compliance with EU regulations.

• 02 Jun 2004
  Austria: Study finds deteriorating working conditions in commerce<#PDF_LINK>

  May 2004 saw the presentation of the results of a study of employment in the commerce sector, conducted by the Austrian Institute of Economic Research (WIFO). The research finds that: jobs are less secure than in other sectors; the average duration of employment is very short; part-time and minorwork are tending to replace standard employment relationships, which has a dumpingeffect on wages; and women make up the majority of the workforce. In the light of these findings, the Chamber of Labour (AK) and the Union of Salaried Employees (GPA) have called on the government to make atypicalemployment less attractive to commerce employers.

• 02 Jun 2004
  Belgium: Nationwide 'social elections' held<#PDF_LINK>

  Belgium's four-yearly social electionsof employee representatives on works councils and committees for prevention and protection at the workplace took place in May 2004. Over a two-week period, 1.4 million employees in 6,000 private sector businesses elected representatives from over 120,000 candidates. This article highlights the main features of the 2004 election campaign.

• 02 Jun 2004
  Norway: Strikes break out during bargaining round<#PDF_LINK>

  In May 2004, strikes occurred in five private sector bargaining areas in Norway, involving workers in transport, journalism, hotels and restaurants, the graphical sector and breweries. All were settled by the bargaining parties after industrial action of varying length and severity. The most notable characteristic of these conflicts was the diversity of issues subject to dispute - in addition to normalpay matters, the issues at stake included pensions, agency workers and differential treatment of unionised and non-unionised employees.

• 02 Jun 2004
  Malta: Negotiations over Air Malta restructuring<#PDF_LINK>

  The Maltese government has started a process which should lead to the restructuring of Air Malta, the national airline. This state-owned enterprise, which is of great strategic importance for the Maltese economy, has been making considerable financial losses in recent years. Negotiations between the government and the four trade unions representing Air Malta’s employees have been taking place during early 2004, covering matters such as pay and conditions and employment guarantees, and progress appeared to have been made in April.

• 01 Jun 2004
  Germany: Working time cuts agreed in exchange for job guarantees at Deutsche Telekom<#PDF_LINK>

  In March 2004, the United Services Union (ver.di) and the German telecommunications company Deutsche Telekom AG concluded an employment pact- a framework collective agreement reducing weekly working time in exchange for job guarantees by the company. Weekly working time will be cut from 38 to 34 hours with only partial wage compensation for employees. The company has agreed that employment will remain stable over 2004-5 and that there will be no redundancies for economic reasons before 31 December 2008.

• 01 Jun 2004
  Germany: Employees prepare for longer working lives<#PDF_LINK>

  In May 2004, the German Federal Ministry for Family Affairs, Senior Citizens, Women and Youth published figures indicating that more and more workers, both male and female, are planning to work longer than they had previously intended. According to the Ministry, the percentage of workers aged 40 and above who wish to retire at 60 at the latest declined from 50% in 1996 to 35% in 2002.

• 01 Jun 2004
  Ireland: Parties set out priorities for national pay talks<#PDF_LINK>

  In May 2004, Ireland’s social partners were in the process of setting out their positions for talks on stage two of the pay element of the current national wage agreement, Sustaining Progress. The ICTU trade union confederation called for a pay increase based on a combination of inflation and productivity forecasts, while its largest affiliate, SIPTU, agreed to re-enter the talks process after previously boycotting it. Meanwhile, the IBEC employers' organisations warned that excessive pay demands could damage competitiveness.

• 01 Jun 2004
  EU Level: Commission launches review of EWCs Directive<#PDF_LINK>

  In April 2004, the European Commission began consultations with EU-level social partner bodies on measures to enhance the effectiveness of European Works Councils (EWCs), including the possible revision of the EWCs Directive.

• 01 Jun 2004
  EU Level: Call centres charter agreed<#PDF_LINK>

  In May 2004, the EU-level social partners in the telecommunications sector published a newly-agreed charter for employers and workers in the call centre sector. The charter sets out good practice guidelines in areas such as health and safety, working time and workload, surveillance, pay and benefits, training and worker representation.

• 01 Jun 2004
  Germany: IW examines non-wage labour costs in 2003<#PDF_LINK>

  In May 2004, a study by the Cologne Institute for Business Research (IW) found that annual non-wage labour costs in German industry amounted to EUR 21,270 per employee in 2003. The ratio of these costs to direct earnings was 77.1%. In eastern Germany, non-wage labour costs were 40% lower than in western Germany. In the service sector, non-wage labour costs varied considerably by branch, from 65.4% of direct earnings in the retail sector to more than 100% in the insurance and banking sectors. In 2003, non-wage labour costs rose, in particular due to higher social security contributions and an increase in the assessable incomeceilings for statutory pension and unemployment insurance.

• 01 Jun 2004
  United Kingdom: 'Offshoring' of service sector jobs prompts union concerns<#PDF_LINK>

  A series of highly publicised decisions by several major companies in late 2003 and early 2004 to relocate - or offshore- jobs in activities such as call centres and back-office operations to low labour cost countries such as India and China has prompted widespread concern amongst trade unions and a consultation exercise by the UK government.

• 01 Jun 2004
  United Kingdom: Employers and unions highlight concerns over EU constitution<#PDF_LINK>

  Following the UK government’s decision in April 2004 to hold a referendum on the proposed EU constitution, and the resumption of EU-level treaty discussions during May, employers and trade unions have been setting out their objectives concerning the outcome of the constitutional process.

• 01 Jun 2004
  EU Level: ETUC adopts resolution on coordination of collective bargaining<#PDF_LINK>

  In March 2004, the executive committee of the European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC) adopted a resolution on the coordination of collective bargaining and on worker participation, which includes its 2004 bargaining guidelines for ETUC member unions. Faced with what it sees as increasing unity on the part of European employers, ETUC is concerned about a potential weakening of workers’ bargaining and participation rights. It fears that this will be exacerbated by the accession in May 2004 to the EU of new Member States with less developed industrial relations structures.

• 01 Jun 2004
  United Kingdom: Government announces reform of apprenticeship system<#PDF_LINK>

  In May 2004, the UK government unveiled plans to reform the apprenticeship system, including the removal of the current age limit of 25 and establishing a new Young Apprenticeshipsprogramme for 14-16 year olds still at school. The social partners' reactions to the proposals have been generally positive.