Trade union OGBL has called on the government to delay the implementation of cuts to maternity and education allowances. Social partners have been negotiating a far going reform of family policies, but have not yet reached a complete agreement. In the reform, current forms of the allowances would be abolished. The maternity allowance is paid to women who do not work for eight weeks before and after the birth of their child. The education allowance is paid instead of parental leave for 21 months for mothers who stay at home with their child. The new law, as proposed by the government, would introduce a single parental leave system, in which parent can choose between 4 months of full-time leave (previously 6 months) or 8 months of part-time leave (previously one year). Negotiations over the parental leave are ongoing, but the government intends to already abolish the old allowances as of 1 June. OGBL said that this will hit low income families hardest and called for a delay in the implementation of cuts until the entire package has been negotiated.
English: http://www.wort.lu/en/politics/new-benefits-system-from-june-1-union-calls .
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Trade unions and KLM have agreed on a new collective agreement, which the unions will recommend to their members. The agreement follows long negotiations, which were complicated by the company's poor economic performance. In the agreement, KLM will guarantee that there will not be any mandatory redundancies until 2020 and compose buyout packages for employees who want to leave earlier. The agreement also contains a general wage freeze. The agreement, if adopted, will run until 30 June 2016.
English: http://www.nltimes.nl/2015/04/10/klm-reaches-agreement-with-unions/
Although the unemployment rate remains high, fears have been raised that the country's education system is failing to produce enough skilled workers, including mechanics, plumbers and dressmakers. According to Eurostat, the percentage of Poles aged 30-34 with higher education qualifications has almost tripled between 2002 and the end of 2013, from 14.4 percent to 40.5 percent. Observers say that there is no economy in the world which would be able to employ so many high educated workers. This situation has resulted in many people ending up working in positions which do not correspond to their education and aspirations.
English: http://www.thenews.pl/1/12/Artykul/203067,Poland-facing-shortage-of-skilled-workers
A grassroots initiative called Heroes of the Sky is trying to organise the Ryanair base at Copenhagen airport. The group, which unites pilots and cabin crew, says its aim is to reach a collective agreement for Ryanair workers. Ryanair recently rejected an agreement with the Flight Personnel Union.
English: http://www.itfglobal.org/en/news-events/news/2015/april/call-to-support-danish .
Three major strikes coincided on 8 April to effectively cripple the country. Air traffic controllers have been organising actions over the increase of the pension age from 57 to 59. Despite talks being planned for 13 April, strikes on 8 and 9 April lead to the cancellation of hundreds of flights. In solidarity and ant-austerity protests that were organised, teachers walked out and the Eiffel tower remained closed. Radio France's programming remains limited as the radio broadcaster's conflict, reported in last month's newsletter, entered it fourth week.
English: http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/world/amid-strikes-french-unions-rally . ;
http://www.rte.ie/news/2015/0408/692696-flights/
The statistical office published interesting figures on the employment development in the `green' economy (the environmental goods and services sector). The share of `green' employment has increased to 5% of the total workforce to 185,122 workers (in 2013), realising a share of 11.3% of GDP. With public transport included the `green' employment amounts to 215,661 workers.
English: http://www.statistik.at/web_en/dynamic/press/081407
German: http://www.statistik.at/web_de/presse/081406
The labour inspectorate has started pre-trial proceedings against the firm that led the demolition of the Veronika hotel, which collapsed unexpectedly earlier this month. The firm was working on the controlled demolition when the 11 story building collapsed, killing at least one worker and leaving three or four trapped underneath the rubble. Media reported that the workers were working without contract or insurance, earning a daily salary of BGN30 (?15). The labour inspectorate said it will be pressing charges against the firm.
English: http://www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=167820
Faced with the weakening position of women in the labour market, the minister of labour and social policy announced he would be drafting a law on gender equality. The national statistical institute (NSI) reports that female employment levels are decreasing and that women's wages feel 20% below men's in 2013. Furthermore, the labour market is segregated with men predominantly employed in the processing industry and construction, while trade, education, human medicine and social work were the main spheres of work for women. The minister said a broad consultation will be started during the drafting process of the law.
English: http://www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=167774
Workers at the HSBC banks went on strike as collective agreement negotiations reported regress instead of progress. Talks between HSBC and the Malta Union of Banking Employees (MUBE) have been ongoing for months, but failed to deliver any results. After HSBC offered a package that was significantly worse than it had endorsed in the last year, the union called a strike. After several days of sit ins, the workers organised two day strikes in April. Media report that HSBC banks are running low on cash, as dispensers have not been refilled. Talks between MUBE and HSBC, mediated by the Malta Employers Association, are ongoing.
English: http://www.independent.com.mt/articles/2015-04-07/local-news/Malta-Union .
In an ongoing dispute (see the March Newsletter) on plans to privatise the state-owned power utility the energy ministry and the trade unions at the Electricity Authority of Cyprus agreed to call for a new tender for a study on the privatisation. Under the terms of the agreement, the study will take into account the company's concerns as well as those of its trade unions. The deal came after the unions threatened to take strike action which would affect power production and supply. While the deal is in place, unions will take no strike action.
English: http://cyprusbusinessmail.com/?p=6819