Low pay/minimum wages, Economic Policy
Health union joins first in series of anti-austerity protests
The OSZSP health union joined the first in a series of protests around the country in opposition to the government’s austerity programme. The demonstration took place in Strakonice in South Bohemia and was organised by the OS KOVO metalworkers’ union. Further protests in June are due to take place in Zlín, Ostrava and Prague. The campaign is backed by the CMKOS confederation as the austerity measures will have a massive impact across society. Public service workers are facing a freeze on salaries this year and the prospect of a 5% cut in pay next year.
New two-year agreements in private health and eldercare
Kommunal and the Almega Vårdföretagarna employers’ organisation have negotiated two new collective agreements for employees working in private health and social care and eldercare both of which run from 1 June 2023 to 31 May 2025. In the private health and social care agreement, the minimum wage will be increased by SEK 1350 (€115) in 2023 and by 3.5% in 2024. The general wage rises will be SEK 1156 (€100) in 2023 and SEK 995 (€85) in 2024. The new minimum salary as of 1 December 2023 will be SEK 21297 (€1830) with a rate of SEK 24013 (€2060) for professionals. These rates will rise to SEK
New ETUI publication - Beyond economic growth: The role of trade unions in the transition to well-being
A further contribution to the ‘beyond growth’ or ‘post-growth’ debates, the recent ETUI working paper sets out the case against the pursuit of undifferentiated economic growth and advocates substantial changes to European economies.
ETUC calls for action on low pay to tackle labour shortages
The European Confederation of Trade Unions (ETUC) is calling on employers to offer better-paid jobs to end damaging labour shortages across Europe. An analysis of job vacancy rates and wages in 22 EU countries by the European Trade Union Institute (ETUI) reveals that industries with the worst labour shortages pay 9% less on average than sectors where it’s easier to recruit. The ETUC argues that lack of skills is often seen as the main problem, but the new analysis suggests that low pay is one of the main drivers of labour shortages. The ETUI research found that across the EU, the industries
Confederations mobilise over pay, jobs and public services
The CGIL, CISL and UIL trade union confederations are planning major mobilisations in May to send a clear message to the government and employers that urgent action is needed to deliver higher pay for workers and a shift in other economic and social policies. Along with workplace assemblies there will be large regional events in Naples, Bologna and Milan. The main union demands include protection against inflation for pay and pensions in both public and private sectors, fairer taxation, higher funding for public social and health, action on health and safety, social security reform and
Will EU’s new fiscal rules hinder urgent action on staffing crises?
Public service federation EPSU is concerned that the proposed reform of the European Union’s fiscal rules, published yesterday, might undermine national action to address the widespread staffing shortages across a broad range of public services in Europe – in health and social care, the justice system, childcare, tax administrations, utilities and more.
Action on minimum wage directive important for purchasing power
A new briefing on the Adequate Minimum Wage Directive (AMWD) argues that its timely implementation would be a key measure to address the cost-of-living crisis. The briefing by the European Trade Union Institute (ETUI) shows that, despite the dynamic developments of minimum wages between 1 January 2022 and 1 January 2023, the nominal increases have not been sufficient to safeguard the purchasing power of minimum wage earners in almost half the countries with a statutory minimum wage. More broadly the ETUI maintains that the directive has the potential to be a gamechanger, with its dual