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EU: Czech Republic gains rights Charter opt-out
At a European Council summit on 29 and 30 October 2009, the Czech Republic was given an opt-out from the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights, clearing one of the last obstacles to the entry into force of the Lisbon Treaty on 1 December 2009.
International: Danone EWC becomes global body
In October 2009, Danone, the France-based food multinational, extended its European Works Council (EWC) to include representatives of its employees around the world.
France: Training law adopted
The French Parliament adopted a new law on vocational training on 14 October 2009, aimed at modernising the system and meeting changing labour market needs.
Ireland: Subsidy scheme protects vulnerable jobs
The Irish Government has set up a scheme to subsidise jobs in export-oriented firms that are in difficulty because of the economic crisis, and by September 2009, 561 companies had applied for the assistance - worth up to €200 per employee per week.
Italy: Unions divided over metalworking agreement
In October 2009, two of the main trade unions in the Italian metalworking industry signed a new sectoral collective agreement, providing for pay increases of 5.9% over three years. However, Fiom-Cgil, the largest metalworkers’ union, has rejected the deal and called for protests.
Spain: Unions offer long-term pay framework
Spanish trade unions have proposed a national bargaining framework to employers for 2010-12, providing for a degree of wage moderation, on the condition that current problems affecting bargaining are resolved. The two sides set up a joint group to examine these problems in October 2009.
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