Talks started on increasing next year's minimum wage between the government, employers and unions, the Economy Ministry told Hungarian Press Agency (MTI). Although spokespersons refused to disclose further details media report the government put forward a proposal for a 4.3% increase of the minimum wage and the minimum wage for skilled workers, in line with its 4.3% inflation projection for 2013 with the possibility of a higher increase left on the table as well. The minimum wages are currently 93,000 forints (EUR 334) and 108,000 forints per month, respectively. Employers have stated they doubt whether the minimum wage should be increased at all, while unions said 4.3% is not enough.
English: http://www.realdeal.hu/20121017/government-unions-employers-begin-talks .
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Some 406 employees of the None plant of white goods producer Indesit have been guaranteed work, despite the plant's dishwasher production moving to Poland. After half a year of negotiations, Indesit agreed to maintain its None site research and development centre, part of its marketing activities and invest in the construction of a logistics and service centre. About a 100 workers will remain directly employed, the rest will receive alternative work guarantees. Indesit also promised to uphold employment in the rest of its Italian activities, employing a total of 4568 people.
English: http://www.industriall-union.org/unions-secure-employment-at-indesit-in-italy
Two years after the previous collective agreement expired, civil servants have a new agreement. The collective agreement will last for 6 years and affect 30,000 civil servants. The agreement includes an annual pay increase of 2.5%. Furthermore, the agreement includes a number of family friendly measures, such as teleworking, flexi-time and reduced hours. The number of civil servants benefiting from the family friendly measures is expected to double.
English: http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20121015/local/civil-servants-to .
http://www.di-ve.com/news/30000-goverment-employees-benefit-%E2%82%AC190 .
Talking about the bleak demographic future of the country Labour and Pension System Minister Mrsic called for the creation of a socially responsible society in which the worker would not be perceived as a good and which would promote the know-how, work and social solidarity.
English: http://dalje.com/en-croatia/labour-minister-warns-about-bleak-demographic .
The deal between the health care service executive (HSE) and hospital consultants that was reported closed in last month's newsletter has collapsed. The deal reached last month was only a partial deal, leaving several issues open to be referred to labour courts and the Croke Park committee. Following the deal, a conflict arose over the implementation of the deal, as the HSE moved to start without waiting for the courts to settle the unresolved issues. Unions argued that the deal could only come into effect once all issues were resolved. With the collapse of the agreement, all issues are now likely to be referred to the court.
English: http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/ireland/2012/1012/1224325187934.html
The national agreement, which was signed between the government and social partners in October 2009, expired at the end of 2010. Attempts to initiate the signing of a new agreement in 2011 were unsuccessful. In July 2012, a new version of the agreement was prepared and presented at the sitting of the Tripartite Council. However, the trade unions were of the opinion that it was only of benefit to businesses. The unions presented their own draft version with the addition to its long-term objectives of, among other things, the creation of a social welfare state.
English: http://www.eurofound.europa.eu/eiro/2012/07/articles/lt1207029i.htm
The Trade Union Confederation (TUC) has reacted critically to government plans to raise the earnings trigger for people to be auto-enrolled into workplace pensions. The new scheme would imply that companies are no longer obliged to pay employer pension contributions to workers earning less than 9,205 annually. The TUC warned this measure will negatively affect 585,000 workers, 80% of whom are women. The old trigger (8,105) already relieved employers from paying contributions for over 3.5 million people. Next to the annual earning trigger, the measure also decreases the income over which contributions need to be paid (from the part of earnings exceeding 5564 to that part above 5720).
English: http://www.tuc.org.uk/economy/tuc-21515-f0.cfm
Trade union FGTB has instated a `day of temporary workers' rights', during which it organised several demonstrations and actions calling for better working conditions. The specific focus of this year's temporary workers rights day was the practice of one-day contracts.
English: http://www.staffingindustry.com/eng/content/view/full/71802
Staffing firm Randstad and the metal industry employers' organisation (KMU) have closed an agreement to bring temp workers' employment conditions up to the same level as that of direct hires. The core of the agreement is the fixing of equal remuneration for payroll and direct hire employees. It is the first time that a sector wide agreement is signed between a staffing agency and an employers' organisation.
English: http://www.staffingindustry.com/eng/content/view/full/71803
A petition demanding more investment in pharmacies has gathered over 90,000 signatures in three weeks. The `grieving pharmacies' petition states that austerity cuts have brought revenues of pharmacists down below the threshold needed to stay in business. Allegedly, 600 pharmacies are threatened with closure and 98% of pharmacists state they have problems buying medicines from suppliers at least a few times per week. Next to the National Pharmacies Association, the petition is being promoted by students associations. The students fear that in the face of 600 pharmacies closing, apprenticeships will dry up and the 700 pharmacy students ready to enter the labour market will not find jobs.
English: http://www.theportugalnews.com/news/students-join-fight-for-portugals .