Collective Bargaining

Trade unions have expressed worries about a possible deal in the steel sector. The concern is linked to current owner Arcelor Mittal’s attempts to take over Italy’s Ilva steelmaker, whose main plant is located at the southern city of Taranto. Arcelor is reported to have offered the Czech plant, employing around 7,000, as part of a package to pave the way for the European Commission to clear the deal. Ostrava and the wider Moravia and Silesia region are still in the painful process of diversifying their employment base after being based for most of the last century on coal, steel, and heavy engineering.

Read on: in English …

A representative of the European Commission stated that the paradox of social inequalities and poverty is maintained in the country, given that the economic growth is above the EU average and unemployment is at the lowest level in the last 20 years. According to the EC the trend of economic growth is maintained. The paradox of social inequalities and poverty is also maintained, especially in disadvantaged groups, such as children. One in two children is at risk of poverty.

Read on: in English …

Workers at steel stockpiler and fabricator Huta Pokoj, are carrying out a strike ballot for possible industrial action to demand wage increases. Unions have been unable to reach an agreement with Pokoj’s management during wage negotiations, which have been ongoing for months. They are also seeking wage increases for workers at other subsidiaries of coal exporter Weglokoks, namely Euroserwis, Euroblacha and Eurokonstrukcje. Workers are demanding a raise of 71.50 euro in monthly wages, claiming the majority of workers are paid minimum wage or only slightly above. Huta Poloj’s management offered an increase of around 49 euro a month, based on a lower overtime rate and cuts in allowances.

Read on: in English …

The annual Economic Survey of Employee Share Ownership in European Countries in 2017 provides a lot of information on the financial participation of workers. The report includes an overview of the evolution over the period 2006-2017, with main findings, tables and graphs and a list of the most remarkable companies. According to the report, 2017 was a new record year for employee share ownership in Europe, with nearly 400 billion euro held by employees in their company or 3.20%. 86.6% of all large European companies have employee share plans. Their number increased by 3 to 4% on average each year since 2006, a solid growth.

The report: in English …

The statistical office published its unemployment report and the provisional labour market analysis 2017. The office reveals that the employment growth reached the level of almost 3.6% (against 1.9% in 2016). The unemployment rate decreased to an average 1.9% (against 2.3% in 2016). The highest unemployment rate (with an annual average of 2.6%) was signalled in the age group of 15 to 24 years.

Read on: in German … The unemployment report: in German …

The Electrical Workers’ Union turned down a proposal that was tabled by the Deputy National Conciliator. It was meant to settle a dispute over the terms and conditions of employment for electricians. The union said that the employers had adopted an inflexible and hard-line strategy for the negotiations based on the government’s decisions. A strike was scheduled to continue until 16 April, affecting over a dozen companies represented by Service Sector Employers (Palta) including Are, Aro Systems, Bravida Finland, Caverion Suomi and Consti Talotekniikka. More industrial actions are scheduled to begin on 17 May.

Read on: in English …

Delivery services PostNL and the trade unions FNV, Bond van Post Personeel and CNV Publieke Diensten have reached a final agreement on mail deliverers’ pay in a collective labour agreement. The agreement is valid for two years: from 1 October 2017 until 30 September 2019. It includes pay increases in five steps during the duration of the CLA, 5 percent in total. It also includes a one-time bonus of 1 percent and the adjustment of the pension scheme to the tax requirements.

Read on: in English …

The country’s employers’ organization NHO and two of the largest trade union confederations, LO and YS, made a deal preventing what would have been the first massive nationwide strike in 18 years. This years’ negotiations covered not only wages but all other aspects of labour contracts. The dispute primarily concerned proposed pension reforms. The first wave of negotiations involved the private sector, covering contracts between NHO and 28,900 employees who are members of LO and another 6,000 employees organised through YS. The main branches targeted included bus companies, food producers, media and ferry transport firms. Beside a 2.8% pay increase the workers preserved the right to retire early at an age of 62. Some adjustments were made to pensions for low-paid workers. The unions’ demand allowing workers to accrue pension contributions from the first krone they earn was not met.

Read on: in English …

A thematic issue of the journal ‘espace populations sociétés’ is dedicated to the socioeconomic situation of frontier workers. The main article refers to a study, carried out by the Luxembourg Central Bank (BCL) and the Luxembourg Institute of Socio-Economic Research (LISER). The researchers looked at more than 2,400 households in France, Germany and Belgium with at least one member working in the Grand Duchy. In 2017, cross-border workers filled nearly 45% of jobs. The survey looks at trends in cross-border workers' investment choices, profiles, average commuting times and salaries compared with native workers. Most commuters are on permanent contracts and have been working in the country for around 10 years. In comparison, commuters are more likely to be working in retail and wholesale, or in the financial sector.

Read on: in English … The thematic issue: in French …

In the annual report from the Council of Europe’s Group of Experts on Action against Trafficking in Human Beings (GRETA) Cyprus is listed among the countries where labour exploitation has emerged as the predominant form of human trafficking. The proportion of identified victims of labour exploitation grew from one third of the total of identified trafficking victims in 2013, to two thirds in 2015. Trade union Peo called on the government to toughen its response to illegal employment. According to the union the state needs to build more effective mechanisms to support and protect victims of trafficking for labour exploitation so that victims can report abuses.

Read on: in English … The GRETA-report: in English …