The European trade union confederation ETUC presented the results of its investigations into the activities of the Troika in Cyprus, Greece, Ireland and Portugal. The report shows that countries where the Troika has implemented its policies have paid a high economic and social price. The ETUC demands substantial amendments to the existing programmes and mechanisms to ensure that the Troika's policy of austerity and deregulation cannot be repeated in the future. The ETUC also announced a European trade union demonstration in Brussels on 4 April 2014, as the European Parliament prepares to elect new members. It is part of its campaign A New path for Europe, outlining a bold new investment plan for the EU, based on a sustainable industrial policy and quality jobs. The ETUC is asking for the involvement of social partners in strengthening social dialogue, collective bargaining and worker participation, particularly in relation to economic governance process at national and EU level, education and training and labour market reform.
English: http://www.etuc.org/IMG/pdf/THE_FUNCTIONING_OF_THE_TROIKA ...
http://www.etuc.org/a/11863
Search results
Find articles
Based on harsh criticism of cutbacks in safety training the trade unions that represent offshore oil rig workers have pulled out of the Norwegian Oil and Gas Association's Network for Safety and Emergency Response Training (NSOB) that was established in the wake of the 1980 Alexander Kielland platform disaster in which 123 people died. The unions made the move reluctantly but were forced to make a statement after the industry group unilaterally instituted a number of changes that impair safety and emergency training on the continental shelf despite vociferous objections of workers.
English: http://dalje.com/en-world/norwegian-oil-worker-unions-pull-out ...
According to statistics provided by the Ministry of Labour, over 2.15 million people were registered as unemployed in December 2013, marking a 0.5% rise since November. A government spokesperson said that any level of unemployment that is in double figures is `a big problem', but there is reason for optimism as it is the first time since 2007 that unemployment at the end of the year is the same as in the previous year. However, other sources forecast hard times for the economy.
English: http://www.thenews.pl/1/12/Artykul/158203,Unemployment-spiral-slows ...
http://www.tradingeconomics.com/poland/unemployment-rate
The two main trade union confederations along with several independent unions supported a one-hour strike in protest against government proposals for major changes to labour legislation. The amendments will have serious impact on workers' rights, including changes to severance pay, compensation for sick leave and paid leave. The trade unions are also very concerned about changes to the law that hinder the position of trade union representatives and the right to collective bargaining and believe that it is wrong that salaries and working hours will no longer have to be stipulated in employment contracts.
English: http://www.world-psi.org/en/we-say-no-amendments-serbian-labour-law
http://ca.reuters.com/article/topNews ...
http://www.b92.net/eng/news/society ...
http://www.bwint.org/default ...
Rabobank Group announced a cut of 2,000 jobs as part of the so-called Vision 2016 plan that aims to reduce expenses by 220 million euros by 2016. The bank will reduce between 1,000 and 2,000 positions at Rabobank Nederland and at the Dutch arm of the company's international operations. The job reductions come on top of the 8,000 jobs earlier unveiled at its consumer bank, which currently employs 28,000.
English: http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2014-01-25/rabobank-groep-may-cut ...
The government presented draft amendments to the Labour Act to the parliament which provide a shorter and simpler procedure for lay-offs. The amendments shorten the notice periods so that the notice will not run during paid holidays or leaves of absence. Notice periods will not run during a worker's sick leave, but a notice expires six months from the date of the notice. As for the arrangement of work hours, a week can consist of 56-60 work hours, but the monthly work hours cannot be higher than the result of the number of weeks in that month multiplied by 40 hours.
English: http://www.balkans.com/open-news ...
In an attempt to stop a strike by air traffic controllers, which is set to lead to delays and the cancellation of flights, Lufthansa has requested a court injunction. Air traffic controllers are protesting against plans from the European Commission to cut costs which they say will reduce safety in the skies (see European Sources).
English: http://www.thelocal.de/20140124/lufthansa-seeks-court-order ...
The population is optimistic regarding economic development in the following 12 months and both the willingness to buy and income expectations are rising, according to a survey from market researcher GfK. However, most of the respondents expect unemployment levels to rise in 2014 compared with 2013: the percentage of people optimistic about employment has been reduced, from 7% (2012) to 5% (2013).
English: http://www.balkans.com/open-news ...
New unemployment figures from the National Statistic Institute (INE) show the country's unemployment climbed back up to 26.03% at the end of 2013, up from 25.98% three months earlier. The reported fragile growth has had no positive effect on employment after six straight years of job destruction. Some 198.900 jobs disappeared in 2013, and 3.5 million have vanished since the country's crisis began in 2008. New jobs are of poor quality and hours of overtime have increased.
English: http://www.thelocal.es/20140124/seven-shocking-facts ...
http://www.ine.es/welcoing.htm
Spanish: http://www.ine.es/en/daco ...
In a move affecting 1,250 jobs Coca-Cola plans to close 4 of its 11 bottling plants. The management said it would try to place 500 of the affected workers in other positions, and offer the rest early retirement or attractive termination packages. The trade union UGT is seeking to negotiate with Coca-Cola to head off the closures. The unions will launch strikes and demonstrations to press their position.
English: http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/news/world/cocacola-looks-to-close-4-bottling-plants-in-spain/article5608498.ece ...