Collective Bargaining

An annual study from global risk consultancy Verisk Maplecroft reveals that modern slavery risks have risen in nearly three quarters of the 28 EU member states in 2016. The research, which assesses countries on the strength of their laws, the effectiveness of their enforcement and the severity of violations, shows drops in the scores for 20 countries across the EU. The EU countries posing the highest risk are Romania, Greece, Italy, Cyprus and Bulgaria – key entry points for migrants who are extremely vulnerable to severe forms of forced labour, such as servitude and trafficking. The findings come shortly after the Economist revealed huge weaknesses in companies’ efforts to secure responsible global supply chains. Global brands and their local suppliers often exploit developing countries’ low wages and weak social and environmental standards to produce low-cost goods at the expense of local workers’ welfare.

English: https://maplecroft.com/portfolio/new-analysis ...

The Economist report: http://growthcrossings.economist.com/wp-content ...

The trade union for supermarket workers at the Dia/Minipreço supermarkets has called for a strike. The union said the workers’ action is planned to support accusations by workers of ‘salary discrimination and moral harassment’ within the company. The unions speak about constant threats of dismissal, attempts to prevent the reconciliation of family life with work, limitation of the right to strike, abuse of authority and threats of change time schedules and site transfers.

English: http://www.theportugalnews.com/news/diaminipreco-supermarket-employees …

Portuguese: http://www.tvi24.iol.pt/economia/07-08-2017/trabalhadores-do-dia-minipreco ...

Although an immigration boom was recorded this summer 2017, the number of those leaving the country outweighs the arrival numbers. According to the statistics, the majority of the immigrants are returning citizens, however, the numbers of arriving foreigners is also gradually growing. The total population shrank from 3.7 million residents in 1990 to 2.8 million people in 2017 due to emigration and aging. Emigration is spurred by large income inequality; the majority of emigrants changing for Western Europe look for higher wages. In the European semester reform program, special attention is given to reducing emigration.

English: http://www.baltic-course.com/eng/analytics …

The National Reform Program 2017: https://ec.europa.eu/info …

SIPTU members have voted by a large majority to accept the proposals in the Public Service Stability Agreement 2018-2020. A count of ballots revealed that 76% of the members voted in favour of the proposals with 24% against. The Agreement, which is an extension to the Lansdowne Road Agreement, provides for pay restoration and other improvements for workers in the public service.

English: http://www.siptu.ie/media/pressreleases2017/mainnews …

The car-share firm Uber has abandoned its cheap UberPop service in the city of Zurich after increasing controversy over the fact that its drivers do not have a professional licence. The app-based ride-share service essentially allows anyone to become a taxi driver with an own car. Drivers must be over 21 and own a car with four doors, but they need not be a professional taxi driver. But the legality of the service has long been questioned. In June, Zurich’s government said that any driver who does not have a taxi permit is operating illegally and should be fined. Trade union Unia hailed Uber’s decision to withdraw the service from Zurich as a ‘partial victory’. Unia continues its fight in other cities, like Basel, that still tolerate the Uber services.

English: https://www.thelocal.ch/20170810/uber-cancels-low-cost-uberpop-service-in-zurich

Union reaction (German): https://www.unia.ch/de/aktuell …

Union reaction (French): https://www.unia.ch/fr/actualites ...

A secret footage that was placed on the Internet reveals how a factory owner verbally threatened his workers after they complained about being paid late. Eleftherios Vanellis – believed to hold dual Cypriot and British citizenship – was secretly filmed at the textile factory Unique Clothing in Paulesti in Prahova county.

English: https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/4207734/british-factory-owner-filmed-swearing ...

A deal reached between the government and public-sector trade unions on pay can be implemented, as enough trade unions signed the agreement, more than a week before the deadline. The law prescribes a signature of at least 22 out of 41 representative unions; 24 unions signed by early August. The deal, reached in July after months of negotiations, involves 71.4m euro to be spent on wages annually, of which 26.6m euro to increase the wages of the lowest paid workers such as cleaners, janitors and cooks, who earn below the minimum wage. A new round of talks is necessary for public workers not yet covered.

English: http://www.sloveniatimes.com/public-sector-pay-deal-becomes-valid

Jadrolinija workers in Split started with industrial action due to poor working conditions, low-pay and violations of workers’ rights. Workers at the shipping company complained about these problems for years. Workers do not have a collective agreement at all, although the management promised several times to start negotiations. Moreover, according to the trade unions, the management has taken unilateral decisions on working time and shifts that violate the provisions of the Labour Act and the Maritime Labour Convention.

English: http://www.total-croatia-news.com/news ...

Policemen have taken the street in several cities to put pressure on ongoing pay negotiations. The trade unions demand higher wages and better working conditions. More demonstrations are planned. Besides more money, workers insist on changes in the texts of a Law from the Ministry of Interior related to the use of physical force and aids. The unions have announced that if their requests are not heard, they will organise more meetings in Sofia in the autumn to express their dissatisfaction.

English: http://www.novinite.com/articles ...

http://www.novinite.com/articles ...

The national statistical office has updated its figures on wages and earnings. As compared to June 2016, the average net nominal earnings increased by 14.5%. The real earnings index in relation with the same period of previous year was 113.5%. In June 2017, the average gross nominal monthly earnings stood at 3313 lei (720 euro). The average net nominal earnings were 2380 lei (517 euro). The best paid jobs can be found in IT and information consultancy, the lowest paid in hospitality and the food sector.

English: http://www.insse.ro/cms/sites/default ...

The data set: http://www.insse.ro/cms/en/content/earnings-1991-monthly-series