Collective Bargaining

Bulgarians earn little and spend little. They are in last position in the European per capita consumption rankings, at 56% of the average levels for the EU. The income and spending level of Bulgarian households indicates that at this time, things are not looking particularly rosy, nevertheless, they are improving – gradually and at a modest pace. Mostly because incomes are going up uninterruptedly and at a stable rate which is allowing Bulgarians to increase their consumption.

Read on: in English ...

Paid paternity leave will be extended from 7 to 10 working days within the next three years, with fathers being compensated at the level of sick pay. This rule is a result of the new European directive on work-life balance. The directive is intended to contribute to the division of care between men and women and to the increased employment of mothers and caregivers.Read on: in English ...

Data (with attached pdfs) published by the Statistical Office reveal that, compared to earnings for the first half of 2018, average monthly earnings for the first half of 2019 increased: gross earnings in nominal terms by 4.3% and in real terms by 2.8%, and net earnings in nominal terms by 3.6% and in real terms by 2.1%. However, in the month of June 2019 the wage development was uneven: compared to earnings for May 2019, average net earnings for June 2019 increased in the public sector by 0.3%, while in the private sector they decreased by 1.0%.

Read on: in English … in English (2) …

Hospital workers in Bradford, England, facing the backdoor privatisation of their jobs have voted to take indefinite strike action from August 26. This is the latest in a series of disputes that have hit the National Health Service (NHS) in the last four months—in Merseyside, Cornwall, Blackpool, South London, Birmingham and Doncaster, involving workers in pharmacy, catering, cleaning, domestic services, porters, building services and security.

Read on: in English ...

The Syndicat indépendant pour cheminots (SIC, Independent union of railroad employees) called for a strike on 17 August 2019. The reason for the strike, the second after one on 27 July 2019, is the recurring shortage of train guards. Roughly half of the trains were not running.

Read on: in English ...

Workers are rallying in Leeds to oppose the imposition of a new work contract that will negatively impact 60,000 employees of the UK supermarket giant Asda, a subsidiary of US-based global retailer Walmart. The merging of five current contracts into one ‘flexible’ contract, known as Contract 6, will mean workers losing paid breaks. Working bank holidays and weekends would be compulsory and they would have to agree to work more flexible hours.

Read on: in English ...

Three days into a strike, Portuguese fuel tanker drivers have rejected a new government decree requiring them to fulfil minimum services or face arrest or even jail. Strikers reacted angrily after proceedings began against 14 drivers who did not comply with the decree. The government is trying to stop the strike hitting key tourist areas. Officials are particularly keen to protect Lisbon airport and the southern Algarve coastal region and the military and police have been drafted in to help move fuel stocks to areas that are running dry.

Read on: in English ...

During many years Norway has attracted foreign workers. Currently, there are approximately 850 thousand immigrants. This is mainly caused by the high level of salaries that is incomparably higher than in other countries. This website enumerates the lowest wages that can be earned in various sectors according to the Arbeidstilsynet (Norwegian Labour Inspection).

Read on: in English ...

After making it easier for employers to fire workers, the new New Democracy government is going to push a measure that would require unions to let workers vote electronically to prove there’s a majority for any prospective strikes. Labour Minister Yiannis Vroutis said electronic voting will soon be required. Also under discussion is the creation of a special web page for employers where trade unions can publish strike actions.

Read on: in English ...

The government is seeking to motivate companies to promote a healthy and harmonious work-life balance for families. To this end, the government will be awarding prizes to particularly family-friendly companies later this year. The winners will be awarded a certification, with larger companies also receiving an individual report of their results.

Read on: in English ...