Developments in Working Life in Europe is part of a series of annual reviews published by Eurofound and provides an overview of the latest developments in industrial relations and working conditions across the European Union and Norway
This annual review highlights the most significant developments that took place in industrial relations in the EU Member States and Norway in 2009, both at national and EU level. It first sets out the political context, then goes on to examine levels of coverage of collective bargaining, and trends
This annual review highlights the most significant developments that took place in industrial relations in the EU Member States and Norway in 2008, both at national and EU level. It first sets out the political context, then goes on to examine levels of coverage of collective bargaining, and trends
Industrial relations developments in Europe 2007 highlights the most significant industrial relations developments over the past year – both at national and EU level. It first outlines the main political and legislative initiatives taken in the Member States over the past year and goes on to examine
The expert report, New skills for new jobs: Action now [1] – which was prepared for the European Commission [2] – was presented at a high-level conference in Brussels on 4 February 2010. The conference [3] was opened by the then Commissioner for Employment, Social Affairs and Equal Opportunities
A European-wide opinion poll on safety and health at work [1], commissioned by the European Agency for Safety and Health at Work (EU-OSHA [2]), was published in October 2009. The survey focuses on the perception of European citizens of health and safety [3] at work. The German-based market research
Each year, the European Commission issues a report to the Spring European Council on developments towards gender equality [1] in the EU Member States, presenting future challenges and priorities in this area. The 2009 report [2] notes that while there are positive trends towards gender equality
On 12 October 2009, the European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC [1]) and the Social Platform [2] – the alliance of representative European federations and networks of non-governmental organisations (NGOs) active in the social sector – signed the joint declaration Fight discrimination and guarantee
In a Joint Declaration (43Kb PDF) [1] on 28 May 2008, in response to the proposed directive on working conditions for temporary agency workers, the European sectoral social partners for temporary agency work [2] made reference to their joint work programme 2008–2009. This programme committed them to
Two recent rulings by the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR [1]) state that the exercise of the right to form and join trade unions includes the right to collective bargaining [2] and the right to strike [3]. The judgement in the first case, Demir and Baykara v. Turkey (Application No. 34503/97
On 20 and 21 October 2009, the Executive Committee of the European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC [1]) adopted a ‘Resolution on climate change’. The resolution was developed in the context of a major document debated at a meeting earlier that month and in the run-up to the Copenhagen climate
On 29 October 2009, the Tripartite Social Summit [1] met ahead of the autumn European Council of Ministers. These twice annual meetings provide an opportunity for an exchange of views between the social partners, the European Commission [2], heads of government and employment ministers. The agenda
Under Directive 2003/88/EC [1] on the organisation of working time [2], workers have the right to a minimum of four weeks’ annual paid leave, which needs to be taken during the leave year stipulated. In some workplaces, workers have the opportunity to choose the times when they wish to take their
The REACH [1] obligations on the registration, evaluation, authorisation and restriction of chemicals were introduced under Regulation (EC) No. 1907/2006 [2] of 18 December 2006 and entered into force on 1 June 2007. The aim of the regulation is to improve the protection of human health and the