...... European sources Joint statement to safeguard textile workers Study on the future of hybrid work Social summit in Porto ...... Austria Childcare unions protest Plans to lower compensation for the unemployed Higher wages for cable car employees ...... Belgium UberEats pays courier €67 in compensation Strike at petrol stations Corona bonus for employees ...... Bulgaria Support to retain jobs ...... Croatia Average wage rise Unions stage protest performance to mark Workers' Day ...... Cyprus Staff at vaccination centres intend to stop working overtime Unions support striking teachers ...... Czechia Minimum salary increase for EU Blue Card Holders Employment decreases, unemployment rises ...... Denmark Union welcomes decision to set up committee on equal pay ...... Estonia Fast wage growth in first quarter ...... Finland Government stimulus plan for skills and employment One-time pay to correct gender gap ...... France Unions appeal against reform of unemployment benefits Workers returning to offices from June 9 Medical lab workers strike for extra pay and recognition ...... Germany Landmark agreement on teleworkers in rubber industry Volkswagen to equalise working hours across Germany Agreement at Porsche provides additional mobility days Union warns of ‘employment fiasco’ in car industry ...... Greece Government presents labour reform bill Transport workers strike ...... Hungary Wage growth stronger than expected ...... Iceland 2,500 summer jobs created for students ...... Ireland Union of civil servants fearful about future remote working Gender pay disparities set to become a controversial topic Updated guidance to protect workers ...... Italy Collective agreement for logistics Unions set out key issues for negotiations with government ...... Latvia Air company invites employees back, but only if they are vaccinated Parliament approves wage increase for public media council members ...... Liechtenstein 30 jobs at risk in painting company ...... Lithuania New source of support for small and micro businesses ...... Luxembourg Wages expected to increase by 2.5% ...... Malta Highest employment rate for EU citizens ...... Netherlands Unions pledge annulment of collective agreement for agency workers Collective agreement for transport and logistics One in five workers won’t receive holiday pay ...... Norway Municipal unions secure pay increase ...... Poland Gross wages pick up growth Government says equal pay is priority Workplace vaccinations start ...... Portugal Strike by border guards Metro workers go on strike ...... Romania Union calls for medical staff to be given permanent status ...... Serbia Air company and Government reward healthcare workers Union protests against relocation of production ...... Slovakia Labour code amendment and telework ...... Slovenia Trade unions protest lack of social dialogue ...... Spain Furlough scheme extended after negotiations with social partners Union calls on bank staff to strike Platform workers become employees ...... Sweden Unions (re)negotiate crisis agreement ...... Switzerland Union presents initiative for pension ...... Turkey Employment rises ...... United Kingdom Uber's drivers gain collective bargaining rights with union recognition Government calls on companies to mobilize against loneliness ...... European sources
Joint statement to safeguard textile workers May 28, 2021
Employers’ and workers’ representatives for the European Textile, Clothing, Leather, and Footwear (TCLF) sectors met with the European Commission to discuss the current challenges facing the TCLF industries and potential EU action to help support the sectors and their workers. The Joint Statement highlights the need for a dedicated strategy with support at national and EU level to help the TCLF sectors survive following the Covid-19 pandemic. The Social Partners of the TCLF industries fully support the EU’s ambitions for a green and digital transition of the sectors, but insist on concrete European measures to help the industries transform.
Read on: in English…
Study on the future of hybrid work May 17, 2021
In the post-pandemic future of work, nine out of ten organizations will be combining remote and on-site working, according to a new McKinsey survey of 100 executives across industries. Despite the embrace of a hybrid model, most organizations have only begun to think through and articulate the specifics of how to carry out a more permanent mix of remote and on-site working for all roles that aren’t essential to perform on-site. Many of their employees are feeling anxious as a result. The sustainability of pandemic-style productivity gains might well depend on how organizational leaders address the anxiety their employees feel—and the associated levels of burnout.
Read on: in English…
Social summit in Porto May 8, 2021
EU leaders, European institutions, social partners and civil society representatives met in Porto for a Social Summit organised by the Portuguese Presidency of the European Union. This Summit was intended as a first step towards putting social cohesion, justice and equality at the heart of European policies, following the adoption of the European Pillar of Social Rights (EPSR) in 2017. The Summit resulted in the publication of a joint statement that welcomed the EU's efforts in the social field. Trade unions strongly welcome the fact that EU leaders have acknowledged the need to move away from GDP as the only measure of economic success and to adopt an approach that puts people's well-being first.
Read on: in English… Read on: in English (2)… Read on the joint statement: in English …
...... Austria Childcare unions protest May 27, 2021
Trade unions representing workers in public and private sector childcare and after-school provision organised a demonstration in protest at the failure of the government to include trade unions in the Advisory Board for Elementary Education. The unions argue that it is unacceptable not to ensure that the views of the 61,500 workers in the sector are taken into account when developing education policy, particularly in the light of the exceptional commitment they have shown during the pandemic.
Read on: in German…
Plans to lower compensation for the unemployed May 7, 2021
ÖVP-Wirtschaftsbund, a sub-organization of the Austrian People’s Party ÖVP, wants to tighten the regime for the long-term unemployed, aiming to reduce unemployment benefits to below 40% and oblige long-term unemployed people to take jobs all over the country. Trade unions are against the policy. Read on: in German… Read on: in German (2)…
Higher wages for cable car employees May 5, 2021
Despite a total failure of the winter season due to the Covid-19-pandemic, a collective agreement was reached between the trade union Vida and the employers in the cable car sector, including a wage increase of around 1% and the introduction of an additional step at the top of the wage table. Employees in the lowest wage bracket will receive a wage increase of €20 per month.
Read on: in German…
...... Belgium
UberEats pays courier €67 in compensation May 27, 2021
A special coronavirus fund set up by Uber to help workers affected by the global pandemic paid a Brussels courier just €67.64 in compensation for 11 days of lost wages when he was forced to quarantine after his wife tested positive for Covid-19. The Covid-19 financial assistance that Uber offers includes up to two weeks of financial support, which is calculated based on the average earnings in the 90-day period prior to self- isolation. Because Uber is a gig-work platform, couriers and drivers who use it often have highly variable monthly incomes.
Read on: in English…
Strike at petrol stations May 27, 2021
A strike movement led to the temporary closure of a series of Texaco petrol stations. The discontent, which had been brewing for months, was directed at EG Shared Services which operates the Texaco service stations in Belgium. The workers denounced in particular a lack of consideration from the management, the increasingly difficult working conditions, and a lack of security. The action was supported by the trade unions.
Read on: in French…
Corona bonus for employees May 6, 2021
The government put forward the idea of granting an exceptional bonus of up to €500 to employees in companies that played an important role during the health crisis. The government is therefore stepping in with discussions between the social partners over a national inter-professional agreement. After several weeks of negotiations, trade unions and employers continue to defend opposing positions on inter-professional wage increases. Read on: in English… Read on: in French…
...... Bulgaria
Support to retain jobs May 20, 2021
The European Commission has approved an allocation of €173.6 million, which can be used as compensation related to the coronavirus pandemic. The funds aim to support the labour market and retain jobs, help small businesses and low-income families. Some 50,000 employees have received support to maintain their employment during temporary restrictions of their activities caused by the Covid-19 pandemic. A total of 17,250 medical and non-medical staff working on the frontlines of the pandemic received additional remuneration.
Read on: in English…
...... Croatia
Average wage rise May 20, 2021
The average wage rose in March by 1.4% in nominal terms and o.3% in real terms in comparison to February 2021. According to the national statistical office (DZS) the highest average monthly wages were paid in information service activities, while the lowest earnings were paid in the apparel manufacturing industry.
Read on: in English…
Unions stage protest performance to mark Workers' Day May 1, 2021
Three trade union federations marked International Workers' Day by staging a protest performance, called ‘The last train to a better normal’, at Zagreb's Central Station at five minutes before midnight, to stop the price of labour from being lowered further and the deprivation of workers' rights. Since traditional trade union marches and public protests could not be held because of the coronavirus epidemic, the Federation of Autonomous Trade Unions of Croatia (SSSH), the Independent Croatian Trade Unions (NHS) and the Matica Association of Croatian Trade Unions (MHS) organised a midnight performance to draw attention to the emigration of workers in search of more secure jobs and higher wages.
Read on: in English…
...... Cyprus
Staff at vaccination centres intend to stop working overtime May 25, 2021
Nurses and health visitors manning the vaccination centres are ready to stop voluntary overtime since, as they say, their overtime has not been paid for months. As the cashier of the nurses’ trade union said, they were given promises but these have not been kept and overtime has increased. The staff has to work more than 12 hours non-stop every day.
Read on: in English…
Unions support striking teachers May 18, 2021
Teachers and unions expressed their support for afternoon state school teachers who have asked to be given contracts, stressing they are ready to continue their indefinite strike until their request is met. Teachers working in state afternoon and evening schools and institutes started an indefinite strike over the education ministry’s decision to count them as self-employed. Teachers union Poed has supported its colleagues from the very beginning.
Read on: in English… Read on: in English (2)…
...... Czechia
Minimum salary increase for EU Blue Card Holders May 10, 2021
The minimum salary for EU Blue Card holders increased by 4.4% to CZK 53,417 (€2,097) from the prior minimum salary of CZK 51,188 (€2,010). The provisions are that the employment contracts must specify the amount within. Benefits and bonuses cannot be included in the salary.
Read on: in English…
Employment decreases, unemployment rises May 4, 2021
Total employment in the first quarter of 2021 decreased by 82,400 persons, year-on-year (y-o-y), according to data of the Czech Statistical Office. The employment rate (percentage of working persons in the age group 15–64 years) decreased compared to the corresponding period of the previous year by 0.8 percentage points. The number of unemployed increased by 73,300 persons. The unemployment rate increased by 1.4 percentage points to 3.4% (y-o-y). The number of the economically inactive increased by 7,400.
Read on: in English…
...... Denmark
Union welcomes decision to set up committee on equal pay May 20, 2021
Trade union FOA welcomed the government decision to set up a committee to examine the problem of pay inequality. FOA has been part of a large group of trade unions that have been pushing for new measures to achieve pay equality. While collective bargaining has been able to deliver some improvements, public service unions argue that the problem requires a broader political approach.
Read on: in Danish…
...... Estonia
Fast wage growth in first quarter May 27, 2021
In the first quarter of 2021, the average monthly gross wages and salaries grew by almost 5%, data from Statistics Estonia show. The highest salaries were reported in information and communication, financial and insurance activities and the energy sector. The average salary was €1,473. According to a representative of Statistics, average monthly gross wages and salaries have continuously increased in the last five years. In 2020 a slower growth in wages could be noticed, but in the first quarter of the current year, gross wages were again nearly 5% higher than at the same time last year.
Read on: in English…
...... Finland
Government stimulus plan for skills and employment May 27, 2021 The Government unveiled its plan for allocating a €2 billion budget in the EU Recovery and Resilience Facility. €636 million are allocated for skills and employment, of which €267 million is earmarked for research infrastructure and piloting, €170 million for employment and labour markets, €105 million for expertise levels and continuous learning, and €94 million for coronavirus-ravaged industries.
Read on: in English…
One-time pay to correct gender gap May 7, 2021
Pulp and packaging company UPM has promised to correct any pay discrepancies tied to gender. The decision follows the discovery that some women at the company are paid less than men for reasons that appear to be unrelated to performance. UPM plans to monitor pay equity annually and fix discrepancies when they emerge.
Read on: in English…
...... France
Unions appeal against reform of unemployment benefits May 28, 2021
For months now, unions have been standing up against the government's reform of unemployment insurance. A few weeks before its entry into force, they have not yet given up. Following the suspension of the measures applied since November 2019, multiple postponements of other components (including the most sensitive, that of the calculation method of the daily reference salary, which directly affects the amount of the allowance), and several adjustments, at the end of March the government approved by decree the introduction of new rules from July 1. But the Unsa, the CFDT, the CGT associated with Solidaires and the FSU, Force Ouvrière and the CFE-CGC have all lodged appeals before the Council of State.
Read on: in French…
Workers returning to offices from June 9 May 27, 2021
Workers will begin returning to the office from June 9, as the government ends its recommendation of 100% remote working as part of the gradual reopening of the country. Since October, the government has asked all employees who can work from home to do so, although there are allowances in place for people who find remote working difficult or impractical and there are no fines in place for people who continue to go to their workplace.
Read on: in English… Read on: in French…
Medical lab workers strike for extra pay and recognition May 18, 2021
Medical laboratory technicians went on strike demanding salary increases and greater public recognition of their crucial role in the fight against the disease. The strike involves technicians in medical laboratories in both the private and public sectors. A spokesman for one of the organising trade unions says the profession is virtually, and unjustly, invisible. The unions claim that 70% of medical decisions made in hospitals are based on their work.
Read on: in English…
...... Germany
Landmark agreement on teleworkers in rubber industry May 26, 2021
Trade union IG BCE signed a pioneer agreement that can inspire sister unions across Europe. In the rubber industry, trade unionists from now on have a legal right to engage with teleworkers. This new agreement is a novelty in the field of trade union rights, as it enables communication with teleworkers in order to recruit members, defend their rights and take collective decisions, while also ensuring that data protection rights are respected.
Read on: in English…
Volkswagen to equalise working hours across Germany May 11, 2021
Following extensive talks with trade union IG Metall, car manufacturer Volkswagen has announced their commitment to harmonise working hours at their facilities right across the country. East German employees currently continue to work 38 hours a week for the same pay as their colleagues in the West, who only work 35 hours a week. Equalising working time has been a specific demand from the East at every collective bargaining negotiation in the metal industry for 30 years. At Volkswagen, it has been announced that the three-hour reduction in the working week will be spread over the period from 2022 to 2027, and that significant productivity gains will be required to neutralise the negative financial effect.
Read on: in German…
Agreement at Porsche provides additional mobility days May 18, 2021
The social partners at car manufacturer Porsche signed a company agreement on ‘mobile work’. Among other things, this agreement provides for the possibility of working up to 12 days per month outside the company’s premises while still complying with the conditions necessary for the appropriate functioning of the teams. Alongside this, Porsche is intending to sharply reduce its office working space by 2025.
Read on: in English…
Union warns of ‘employment fiasco’ in car industry May 6, 2021
The car industry is facing an ‘employment fiasco’ unless it gets badly needed investment in new technologies, especially batteries, the president of union IG Metall said. The warning came after a survey by the Ifo institute showed that the transition to electric vehicles (EVs) could cost the industry some 100,000 jobs in combustion engine production by 2025 if companies fail to beef up efforts to reskill workers. As battery- powered cars need less assembly than combustion engine vehicles, the EV boom means carmakers and their suppliers must address the risks of unemployment due to skill mismatches by retraining employees.
Read on: in English…
...... Greece
Government presents labour reform bill May 12, 2021
The government detailed a wide-ranging reform of labour law that encompasses working time, teleworking, the right to disconnect, paternity leave, strike action and platform workers. The most contentious part of the bill introduces flexibility to the eight-hour workday by allowing employees to work up to 10 hours on one day and fewer on another, or take time off. It will also give workers the right to disconnect outside of office hours.
Read on: in English… Read on: in English (2)…
Transport workers strike May 7, 2021
Transport workers held a 24-hour public sector strike to protest over planned labour legislation. Unions say they oppose the government labour bill because it restricts employee rights at a time when workers risk job losses due to the coronavirus pandemic. The government says the changes would give workers more flexibility. The main civil servants’ union ADEDY, which called a 24-hour strike to coincide with May Day celebrations, says the legislation seeks to raise the eight-hour working day to 10 hours, and to abolish the five-day working week and collective agreements.
Read on: in English…
...... Hungary
Wage growth stronger than expected May 10, 2021
Wage growth has been stronger than expected, according to labour market data. This could be explained by the public sector wage settlement. Due to planned wage rises in certain domains – including pay rises for doctors, judges and prosecutors, and employees of nurseries – the growth of average wages in the public sector overall (13.5% y/y) exceeded that of the national economy in February.
Read on: in English…
...... Iceland
2,500 summer jobs created for students May 12, 2021
The Government announced that the Directorate of Labour developed 2,500 jobs for students this summer as a part of the Start a Job Campaign. The Minister of Social Affairs launched Start a Job last March. The campaign is similar to the one that ran last year during the pandemic, but is more extensive than the one before. Students over the age of eighteen that are hired for the summer will be provided with a grant that is in alignment with current wage agreements for a full day’s pay.
Read on: in English…
...... Ireland
Union of civil servants fearful about future remote working May 28, 2021
Delegates at the trade union Fórsa’s civil service conference expressed concern that remote working could lead to “creeping forced self-employment” with State employees ending up like “Deliveroo workers at home”. A representative from the union’s Department of Social Protection executive grades branch said members had concerns that remote workers could be turned into self-employed workers and as a result lose pay, pension rights and conditions of employment that they had spent a lifetime paying into. Read on: in English…
Gender pay disparities set to become a controversial topic May 24, 2021
Gender pay disparities are about to become a controversial topic thanks to Government plans to pass the Gender Pay Gap Information Bill this year. After the proposed bill is enacted, any company employing more than 250 people will have to publish data on the differences between the average and median hourly pay and bonuses of men and women and the percentages of men and women receiving bonuses and benefits in kind.
Read on: in English…
Updated guidance to protect workers May 14, 2021
The Government published updated guidance on ventilation, vaccinations and antigen testing to protect workers and help people get back to work. The updated Work Safely Protocol reflects the most up-to-date public health advice for the workplace. It sets out the range of measures required to prevent the spread of Covid-19 in the workplace, including information on how to approach the use of antigen testing. It has been developed in close consultation with employers and trade unions through the Labour Employer Economic Forum (LEEF).
Read on: in English…
...... Italy
Collective agreement for logistics May 18, 2021
Social partners in the logistics, freight and parcel-shipping sector signed an agreement to renew their national collective agreement which covers almost 1 million workers. According to the trade unions, this is the first time in 15 years that all the employers’ organizations in the sector – including the cooperative organizations, which are particularly relevant in subcontracting – have signed the same text at the same time. The new collective agreement runs until 31 March 2024, and provides for an average monthly salary increase of €104.
Read on: in English…
Unions set out key issues for negotiations with government May 14, 2021
During the second round of negotiations in central government the trade unions raised a number of issues that they want to see addressed. This includes the need to carry out a detailed review of the measures on worker and trade union participation introduced in the last national collective agreement (2016-2018) and to ensure their full effectiveness and enforceability to strengthen the involvement of employees and their representatives in organisational matters that impact on the employment relationship.
Read on joint statement: in Italian…
...... Latvia
Air company invites employees back, but only if they are vaccinated May 19, 2021 Following changes to its network of routes, the AirBaltic airline has commenced an internal process to hire back 20 former flight attendants. However, there is one requirement: they have to be vaccinated for Covid- 19. The State Labour Inspectorate says, however, that people have the right to refuse vaccination and this refusal is not to create any negative consequences for them as employees. Employers are not allowed to demand explanations from their employees, suspend them, or take other restrictive measures.
Read on: in English…
Parliament approves wage increase for public media council members May 6, 2021
Parliament approved the plan to increase the wage of members of the Public Electronic Mass Media Council (SEPLP) to €3,000 and for the chairman to €3,200 after taxes. Considering the parliament’s commitment to increasing wages for SEPLP members, the wages paid to members of the National Electronic Mass Media Council (NEPLP) will be made equal to those in SEPLP.
Read on: in English…
...... Liechtenstein
30 jobs at risk in painting company May 4, 2021
One of the largest painting and plastering companies in Liechtenstein, Gstöhl AG, has initiated a restructuring process which may cost 30 employees their jobs. Union LANV is in contact with the management of the company and hopes to be able to save these jobs.
Read on: in German…
...... Lithuania
New source of support for small and micro businesses May 4, 2021 The European Investment Fund and the LCCU credit union group have signed a cooperation agreement for a guarantee facility, to launch an €8 million microcredit programme for small businesses. The guarantee is supported under the European Union Programme for Employment and Social Innovation (EaSI). The support will help small businesses to start up or continue their operations as well as to create and maintain jobs.
Read on: in English…
...... Luxembourg
Wages expected to increase by 2.5% May 27, 2021
The salaries of workers could rise by 2.5% by the end of the year to match inflation, the national statistics agency Statec said. The readjustment of pay, initially expected to take place only next year, is now set to take place earlier, according to Statec’s latest monthly report. The automatic wage indexation happens every time prices for consumer goods and services jump by more than a certain threshold, normally 2.5%.
Read on: in English… ...... Malta
Highest employment rate for EU citizens May 20, 2021
Malta has the highest employment rate for persons born in other European Union Member States, with a total of 89.8% recorded in 2020, Eurostat reported. In a study observing migrant integration in 2020, Malta is among one of the 13 EU Member States that reported an increase in employability of persons born in another EU Member State.
Read on: in English… ...... Netherlands
Unions pledge annulment of collective agreement for agency workers May 28, 2021
The trade unions FNV, CNV Vakmensen and De Unie want an annulment of the collective agreement between the small union LBV and the employers’ associations in the temporary work agency sector, ABU and NBBU. The agreement came about after the three other trade unions withdrew from negotiations for a new collective agreement for the temporary work sector. The current collective agreement expires on 1 June 2021. The unions resent the fact that an agreement was reached with what they call a ‘yellow union’, within 24 hours after the breakdown of the negotiations.
Read on: in Dutch and in English…
Collective agreement for transport and logistics May 27, 2021
Trade union FNV has reached an agreement with employers in the transport and logistics sector about a new collective agreement for 150,000 people. In the proposed agreement, wages will increase by 3.5% from 1 July and 3.25% from 1 January 2022. The new two-year collective agreement, which is known in full as the collective agreement for ‘professional road transport and the rental of mobile cranes’, runs from January 1, 2021 to December 31, 2022.
Read on: in Dutch and in English…
One in five workers won’t receive holiday pay May 25, 2021
Losses incurred as a result of the coronavirus pandemic means that many workers won’t receive holiday pay in May. Last year, a number of people missed out on holiday pay as a result of the coronavirus pandemic, but new research shows that the figure has doubled in 2021. Research conducted on behalf of trade union CNV revealed that 19% of employees - approximately 1.7 million people - won’t receive holiday pay in 2021. Most of these people work in the events, hospitality, and travel industries.
Read on: in English…
...... Norway
Municipal unions secure pay increase May 27, 2021 Negotiations in the municipal sector have produced a deal supported by the trade unions. The overall package is worth 2.82%, slightly ahead of inflation and above the 2.7% in the industry sector which is normally seen as setting the pattern for pay bargaining. Pay increases range from €980 a year to €2,150.
Read on: in Norwegian…
...... Poland
Gross wages pick up growth May 13, 2021
Gross wages grew 6.6% year-on-year to €1,247.45 in the first quarter, the statistical office GUS said. The reading shows an acceleration in wage growth after gross monthly pay picked up 5% y-o-y in the fourth quarter. That marks a recovery after the worst of the coronavirus pandemic, which depressed demand for labour and undermined growth in remuneration. In quarter-on-quarter terms, wage expansion eased to 4.1% after growing 5.6% q-o-q in October-December.
Read on: in English…
Government says equal pay is priority May 7, 2021
Equal pay for women and men is a priority for the government, the Prime Minister said before an EU social summit. The agenda of the summit in Porto, Portugal, was dominated by a social action plan prepared by the European Commission. The European Commission has set out social goals to be reached by all EU member states by 2030, including an increase in employment to 78%, raising the percentage of adults taking part in courses and training to 60% and reducing the number of people at risk of social exclusion or poverty by at least 15 million people, including 5 million children.
Read on: in English…
Workplace vaccinations start May 4, 2021
From May 4, companies can participate in administering coronavirus vaccinations. For this, they must apply online with the government and indicate the number of people wishing to be vaccinated. All employees and their family members are included, i.e. there are no age bands or restrictions on non-Polish citizens legally employed in the country.
Read on: in English…
...... Portugal
Strike by border guards May 24, 2021
Border guards at the Immigration and Borders Service (SEF) pushed ahead with planned strike action. The interior minister said the strike threatens to "ruin the summer" and slammed the move as “unacceptable and irresponsible". The Algarve association of municipalities AMAL and the Algarve tourism association announced their intention to lobby the government for a requisition unless SEF reconsiders. In the “pre- announcement for industrial action” sent by SEF’s union to the government, the union outlines how it intends to protest at Lisbon airport and at Faro airport.
Read on: in English… Read on: in English(2)… Metro workers go on strike May 8, 2021
The Transport and Communications Trade Union Federation (FECTRANS) announced that metro workers would go on strike to demand the strict fulfilment of all clauses of the company agreement as well as its extension.
Read on: in English…
...... Romania
Union calls for medical staff to be given permanent status May 14, 2021
The Sanitas health union is calling on the Government to offer permanent employment to the many medical and auxiliary workers who were taken on to help cope with the pandemic. These workers will see their contracts terminated once the end of the emergency is declared. The union argues that these workers have clearly demonstrated their skills and competences in helping to deal with the crisis, with many facing high risk of infection and some even losing their lives to Covid-19.
Read on: in Romanian…
...... Serbia Air company and Government reward healthcare workers May 19, 2021
Air Serbia and the Government have struck a deal that will give 10,000 healthcare workers discount vouchers on the flag carrier’s flights as a reward for their contribution to the COVID-19 response.
Read on: in English…
Union protests against relocation of production May 12, 2021
The trade union of Fiat Plastic, whose workers were on strike because of reduced wages, has announced that Fiat has relocated part of its production from that factory to its parent company. The union considers that to be an infringement of the Labour Law and workers’ rights, which makes the right to strike meaningless.
Read on: in English…
...... Slovakia
Labour code amendment and telework May 24, 2021
The Labour Code amendment and further advances in digitalisation have led to an increased number of employees working from their homes. This gives rise to discussions about the benefits and drawbacks of home office. The focus here lies primarily on legal challenges linked to work from home, and on topics that the Labour Code amendment failed to address. Are employers obliged to reimburse employees for increased costs, or to provide work equipment? What is the distinction between occasional and regular work from home? What lies ahead for the employers?
Read on: in English… ...... Slovenia
Trade unions protest lack of social dialogue May 15, 2021
Trade unions are protesting the lack of social dialogue and negotiations over major reforms that negatively affect workers. The unions have left the Social-Economic Council as they say the government is disrespectful of its role. The government has not consulted unions on the national plans for the recovery despite the EU declarations that they should do so. Five confederations, including ZSSS, Pergam and the public service confederation KSJS, will join the protests.
Read on: in English… Read on: in English (2)…
...... Spain
Furlough scheme extended after negotiations with social partners May 28, 2021
The Government has approved a new extension to its “ERTE” job retention scheme, which was implemented last year to offset the economic effects of the coronavirus pandemic. Nearly 600,000 workers stand to benefit for a further four months from a program that would otherwise have expired. The fifth extension was made possible thanks to last-minute negotiations between the government, the UGT and CCOO unions, and the employer groups CEOE and CEPYME.
Read on: in English…
Union calls on bank staff to strike May 27, 2021
Trade union CCOO called on BBVA's more than 20,000 bank employees to hold a one-day strike in protest over the bank's plans for layoffs. Negotiations with the bank have stalled. BBVA said last month that it was planning to cut 3,800 jobs and close almost a quarter of its branches, to adapt to a customer shift towards online banking.
Read on: in English…
Platform workers become employees May 17, 2021
Food delivery and courier companies have three months to employ drivers as staff under a landmark new law. The law, given royal decree, requires employers in the sector to hire any workers currently freelancing for them by mid-August, and will affect around 30,000 couriers. The law will technically give workers employee status and corresponding rights, but will also give unions the right to access algorithms used by the employers to manage their workforce. This will enable the unions to ensure workers are not underpaid if demand for services falls, as well as monitor working hours and conditions.
Read on: in English…
...... Sweden
Unions (re)negotiate crisis agreement May 17,2021 Unions representing workers across municipalities and regions are negotiating with the SKR and Sobona employer organisations on changes to the crisis agreement. The aim is to ensure that the agreement is better adapted to longer crisis situations, based on experience from the pandemic. The crisis agreement can be activated temporarily by the employers in special crisis situations and means that regular working hours are increased at the same time as staff receive higher compensation. The agreement also allows for special emergency overtime and relocation of staff.
Read on: in Swedish…
...... Switzerland
Union presents initiative for pension May 28, 2021
The Swiss Federation of Trade Unions SGB submitted its initiative for the 13th AHV pension on Friday. According to the SGB, the current AHV pension is not enough to live on and will steadily decline in value. The union is calling for an increase in the AHV pension of 8.33%.
Read on: in German…
...... Turkey
Employment rises May 10, 2021
The unemployment rate was 13.1% in March, down by 0.1 percentage point month-on-month, the Turkish Statistical Institute (TurkStat) announced. The number of unemployed aged 15 and over increased by 59,000 to 4.2 million in March, while the employment rate increased to 44.3% (+0.8 percentage points) as the number of employed people rose by 550,000 to 28.9 million.
Read on: in English…
...... United Kingdom
Uber's drivers gain collective bargaining rights with union recognition May 26, 2021
Uber said it was recognising Britain's GMB union, allowing it to represent up to 70,000 drivers and boosting the power of workers with collective bargaining. Recognition means a union has the right to negotiate on behalf of the workforce. Meetings will take place quarterly to discuss issues and the pair will work on matters such as pay, pensions and safety.
Read on: in English… Read on: in English (2)…
Government calls on companies to mobilize against loneliness May 8, 2021
The Government published guidance with good practices for employers to better combat employee loneliness. The report urges companies to automatically include the issue of loneliness into their workplace well-being policies and warns that employee isolation, which has been exacerbated due to the pandemic and the upsurge in remote working can have unwelcome financial repercussions.
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