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EU Council: Social council debates key draft Directives
A meeting of the Employment, Social Policy, Health and Consumer Affairs Council was held, under the Portuguese presidency, on 5 December 2007. Ministers debated the draft Directives on temporary agency workers, working time and supplementary pensions, and approved EU-wide common principles on "flexicurity".
European Court of Justice: ECJ rules in key industrial action case
On 11 December 2007, the European Court of Justice issued its keenly awaited ruling in the Viking case. It found that industrial action taken by a trade union with the aim of inducing a foreign company to sign a collective agreement is a restriction on that company's freedom of establishment within the EU. However, such a restriction can be justified on the grounds that it protects workers, provided that the action is appropriate for achieving the legitimate objective pursued and does not go beyond what is necessary to attain that objective.
France: Sarkozy aims to free employers from 'yoke' of 35-hour week
In December 2007, president Nicolas Sarkozy announced a number of measures aimed at "freeing companies that so wish from the yoke" of the statutory 35-hour normal working week and giving more choice in working time matters to employees and company-level negotiators.
Germany: Parliament agrees minimum wage for postal sector
On 14 December 2007, after a lengthy controversy, the lower house of the German federal parliament (Bundestag) voted by a substantial majority to introduce a minimum wage for sorting and delivery staff in the postal sector. These employees will now be brought within the scope of the Posted Workers Law, the legal instrument currently used to set binding minimum wages in designated industries.
Poland: Figures reveal positive labour market trends
Data issued by the Central Statistical Office (GUS) in November 2007 indicate that 1.75 million new jobs have been created in Poland since 2004. Over the same period, the unemployment rate has fallen from more than 19% to 9%. However, long-term unemployment remains a problem, especially among older people, while skills shortages are emerging.
Spain: Employers and unions sign bargaining framework for 2008
On 18 December 2007, Spain's central trade union and employers' confederations renewed for 2008 their national agreement providing a framework for lower-level collective bargaining. The accord focuses on pay moderation, gender equality and health and safety.
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