This report maps the impact of the global financial, economic and public debt crisis on industrial relations and working conditions at national level in the EU Member States from 2008 to end 2012. The impact of the crisis on industrial relations is mapped with regard to the actors, processes and
The European Company Survey 2009 on flexibility practices and social dialogue is the second European-wide establishment survey to be undertaken by Eurofound. The survey documents flexibility strategies in firms and is a unique source of comparative information on social dialogue at the workplace
This report presents a comparison of national industrial relations systems in the EU25, exploring the differences between individual systems and their effects on the economy. The report is based on the more detailed findings of a research project entitled ‘Quality of industrial relations
The Flemish government and the trade unions representing public sector employees have signed a new two-year collective agreement for the 2005–2007 period. The agreement covers approximately 27,800 civil servants in the region, excluding teachers and public transport workers (these groups each
At an extraordinary federal congress of the socialist Federation of the Belgian metal industry (Centrale van de Metaalindustrie van België, CMB [1]), some 400 union representatives took part in the vote on a new organisational structure for the union, with 85.5% of them voting in favour of it. As a
Two influential bodies responsible for monitoring the Belgian economy and for advising on economic policy - the Central Economic Council (de Centrale Raad voor het Bedrijfsleven) and the National Bank - have recently expressed their dissatisfaction with the competitiveness of the Belgian economy. As
In October 2005, a new sectoral agreement was concluded for the 140,000 local and provincial government employees in the Flemish part of Belgium. The three-year deal, which was not signed by the socialist CGSP/ACOD trade union, provides for increases in various allowances as well as amending a
The FGTB/ABVV trade union confederation organised a 24-hour general strike in Belgium on 7 October 2005, mainly directed against the government’s plans for amended 'end-of-career' and retirement arrangements. The 24-hour strike particularly affected public services such as public transport, postal
Labour migration to Belgium from central and eastern Europe has increased substantially since EU enlargement in 2004. However, much of this employment is illegal or performed under arrangements regarded by many as somewhat dubious, in sectors such as construction and transport. In summer 2005, the
Since the early 1990s, the Flemish social partners and regional government have concluded their own regional 'employment agreements' (BE0305302F [1] and BE0209303F [2]) on stimulating or adapting the labour market. On 20 January 2005, they signed a new employment agreement (werkgelegenheidsakkoord)
In the mid-1990s, the Confederation of Christian Trade Unions (Confédération des Syndicats Chrétiens/Algemeen Christelijk Vakverbond, CSC/ACV) - Belgium's largest trade union organisation - launched a 'plan for the future', aimed at more work, more fiscal justice and more social security. In late
In order to conform with EU regulations, the Belgian electricity market is gradually opening and will be fully liberalised over 2006-7 (BE0103343F [1]). Traditionally, electricity prices were set by a control committee, which was dominated by the social partners and especially the Federation of
June 2004 was a busy political month in Belgium, with elections to the European Parliament and regional parliaments (the latter are very important, given Belgium's federal structure). In the run-up to the elections, social partner organisations at various levels put together their proposals and