25 January 2006
The liberal-conservative government is due to make its proposals for a pensions reform next February. Just 18 months after the lowering of the retirement age from 67 to 65 years old, political parties are willing to end the system of early retirements and to make Danes work longer. In the end, the entire social protection system could be overhauled. (Ref. 0660)
25 January 2006
Given the current pace of the economic growth, the head of the Czech-Moravian Confederation of Trade Unions, Milan Stech, said that the average salary in the Czech Republic should reach 27000 CZK (about 944 euros) by the year 2010 (compared to approximately 18000 CZK now or 629 euros). (Ref. 0665)
25 January 2006
The new European Union legislation concerning registration, evaluation, approval and limitation of chemicals (REACH) should impose strict rules on Czech companies. (Ref. 0667)
25 January 2006
24 January 2006
The civil servants’ main trade union (PCS) revealed to the press a confidential report from the Ministry for Work and Pensions on the possibility of relocating to India its call-center activities, which employ thousands of people. According to the trade union, the divisions addressing the requests related to unemployment benefits would be specifically targeted. This trade union outcry forced the Department, already in delicacy with its personnel because of job cuts, to deny these projects. (Ref. 0659)
23 January 2006
The branch of metallurgy and electronics, which employs some 3,4 million people in Germany, should be affected by an important wage conflict soon. Taking up the recommendations made by its regional tariff commissions, the direction of IG-Metall announced, Friday January 20, its claims for the wage negotiations to come. The trade union is thus demanding a 5% rise in wages for 2006, a collective agreement on permanent training and innovation, as well as a collective agreement on advantages being added to wages....
23 January 2006
The renewal of the collective agreement for metalworkers dominated the social scene last week. After the blockade of the country, which led to the reopening of negotiations, the conflict ended with the conclusion of an agreement between government and the two sides of industry, in the early morning of January 19. Of course, the press followed the marathon of negotiations, stage by stage, and commented on the situation. (Ref. 0651)
23 January 2006
The conference on joint management, which took place in Bitburg, has quite interested the press this week. It fed discussions that are currently agitating the country, involving this method of workers’ participation. (Ref. 0648)
19 January 2006
Metalworkers organized a blockade of the country’s air and rail traffic routes on Janurary 17th. The three trade unions had organized this day of industrial action. (Ref 0642).
19 January 2006
The Commission for equality of opportunities is celebrating this year the 30th birthday of the law on discrimination against women at work. Despite the readjustment that took place, things have evolved very slowly. (Ref 0641)
