EU: European Parliament votes to strengthen role of European Works Councils European legislation A report drafted by German MEP Dennis Radtke, which urges the European Commission to revise the 2009 directive on European Works Councils, was supported by the European Parliament in a vote on 2 February 2023.…
Poland: remote work now regulated by law National legislation An amendment recently adopted by the Polish parliament provides a definition for remote work and sets out procedures for how such arrangements should be implemented at companies. With remote work now a feature of the country's labour code, employees may voluntarily opt for this, provided their employer agrees, on a regular or occasional basis.
Spain: minimum salary level raised 8% National legislation The minimum wage floor has risen to €1,080 gross per month over 14 months, representing 60% of the average wage in Spain, as recommended by the EU Directive on adequate minimum wages. The minimum level has thus been raised by 47% over the last five years as the gap narrows compared to the legal minima applying across the rest of the European Union.
Schneider Electric develops the ‘career conversation’ to enable older workers express their career choices Professional development Le spécialiste des équipements électriques a lancé, courant 2021, un programme mondial dédié aux salariés de plus de 50 ans, afin de mobiliser leur potentiel et les accompagner dans leurs souhaits d’évolution tant professionnelle que personnelle. Au cœur du dispositif, “la conversation de carrière” : un échange approfondi entre le senior et son manager pour aider ce dernier à formuler ses attentes pour les dix ou quinze ans à venir.
The Netherlands: Senate adopts bill amending Whistleblowers Act National legislation On 24 January 2023, after more than a year’s delay, the Dutch Senate finally adopted the bill protecting whistleblowers. The European Commission had launched an infringement procedure against the Dutch state because of the late implementation of the EU Directive 2019/1937.…
Portugal: 20 days of bereavement leave for the death of a spouse National legislation On 23 January 2023, Portugal’s parliamentarians approved an amendment to the country’s labour code that increases paid bereavement leave for the death of a spouse from an original 5 days to 20 days.…
EU: EU Commission launches plan to strengthen European social dialogue European legislation On 25 January 2023, the European Commission presented a proposal for a recommendation comprising a series of measures to encourage the EU Member States to strengthen social dialogue at national level. The EU Commission also published a communication listing future initiatives to reinforce and promote European social dialogue, while employers continue to block several of them.
Great Britain: consultation launched to finalise the code of practice combatting the wave of ‘fire and rehire’ National legislation On 24 January 2023, the UK executive opened a 12-week consultation aimed at finalising its Draft Code of Practice on dismissal and re-engagement. The code,…
EU: minimum wage increases not able to compensate for rising prices National legislation As of 01 January 2023, eighteen out of the twenty-two EU Member States with a statutory minimum wage have implemented an increase in their basic salary level. The aim is to protect low-wage earners in the face of record inflation. However, even though some of these increases exceed 20%, they are struggling to compensate for the erosion occurring in employees’ purchasing power.
Croatia: substantial changes to the Labour Law National legislation On 01 January 2023, amendments to Croatia’s Labour Act came into force. The text adopted on 16 December 2022 limits to three the number of successive fixed-term employment contracts allowed over a maximum period of three years and it also gives employees the opportunity to request an permanent employment contract after they have spent six months on a fixed-term contract.…
