ETUC calls for swift adoption of labour authority agreement

The ETUC has called for swift adoption of the draft directive on work-life balance as a key measure that will make a real difference to women's pay and employment prospects. According to the ETUC the Directive would strengthen rights in many member states. For example paid paternity leave of 10 days would be new in Austria, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Germany, Croatia, and Slovakia, while four months' paid and non-transferable parental leave would improve rights in Bulgaria, Ireland, Italy, the Netherlands and the UK. Measures on carers' lave and the right to request flexible working arrangements

The Fagforbundet trade union has reported the Aleris Ungplan and Boi private care company to the authorities for possible breaches of labour, health and safety, tax and even criminal law. The union has taken up cases for a number of workers who have been denied their rights on pay, sick pay and pensions and forced to work excessive hours. The cases mainly involve workers who were taken on as "consultants" rather than employees so that the company could avoid paying pension, sickness and other costs. The company is a subsidiary of a major private sector health and social care provider, Aleris

After lengthy negotiations the unions FNV Abvakabo, CNV Publieke Zaak and CMHF have signed a new agreement covering water authority employees. The unions see this as a modern agreement which will allow for long-term investment in the employability of workers. A key element of the two-year agreement is the individual choice budget which increases by 1% in 2012 and 2% in 2013. This allows employees to choose what element of their pay and conditions they want to increase. There are also new provisions on flexibility which allow workers more control over their working time. [Read more at > FNV