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EU commission: Renewed social agenda published
On 2 July 2008, the European Commission issued a "renewed social agenda" - a wide-ranging package of proposals (in areas including employment law) aimed at boosting the EU's social dimension. The measures include a proposal for the revision of the European Works Councils Directive.
International: Cement producer signs global workers' rights accord
In June 2008, Italcementi, an Italy-based multinational cement producer, signed an international framework agreement on promoting and protecting workers' rights with the Building and Wood Workers' International and Italian trade unions.
France: President plans to encourage employee financial participation
On 26 May 2008, president Nicolas Sarkozy announced the details of a reform of employee financial participation and measures to give greater dynamism to pay bargaining.
Germany: IG Metall calls warning strikes over phased early retirement
The IG Metall metalworkers' trade union initiated a series of warning strikes in June 2008 to press home its claim for a negotiated replacement for the state-funded early retirement scheme, for which official financial support is set to expire in 2009.
Italy: Collective agreement signed in textiles industry
On 11 June 2008, the sectoral employers' organisation and trade unions in the textiles industry signed a collective agreement covering more than 500,000 employees and 58,000 companies.
Spain: Government sets out employment strategy
In June 2008, the Spanish government announced the main elements of its employment strategy for its four-year term of office, focusing on areas such as promoting youth and female employment and cutting early retirement.
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