Health and Safety, Transparency & Corruption, Pensions/retirement, Germany, Croatia, Armenia

The ver.di trade union has strongly condemned the violence against firefighters, rescue services and police officers on New Year's Eve and calls on employers to do much more to fulfil their duty of care towards employees. Numerous workers were injured after coming under fire from rockets and firecrackers or as a result of other attacks. The events on New Year's Eve have highlighted the kinds of violence to which many public sector workers are exposed on a day-to-day basis. The union wants employers to ensure they document all incidents and that employees report all assaults, write accident

A survey by the health and services union ver.di has revealed that the already high burden on employees in the emergency medical service has increased significantly since the beginning of the COVID pandemic. Around 7,000 workers replied to the questionnaire with 39% saying they would change professions immediately if they had the opportunity. There are serious problems with working hours, work intensity, physical and psychological stress and risk of physical assaults. Almost all respondents reported problems balancing work and private life. Staff shortages mean that 61% of employees are (very)

A joint campaign of the three main trade union confederations has been successful in getting support for a referendum to undo legal changes that increased the retirement age to 67. The unions needed to reach a target of 373,568 signatures (10% of registered voters) in a two-week campaign that ended on 11 May. They easily passed the threshold, amassing 600,000 signatures and its now up to the government to respond and confirm that it will organise the referendum.