Japan, Slovak Republic, Malta

A new collective agreement running for 12 months from 1 January 2006 provides for a 5% increase in pay for civil servants. It also allows from some local negotiations, particularly on working time so that it is possible to cut the standard 40-hour working week by up to 2½ hours. Longer paid leave can also be negotiated at local level. [Read more at > EIRO->http://www.eiro.eurofound.eu.int/2006/02/inbrief/sk0602101n.html] Meanwhile the 300,000 public sector employees who don't have civil service status should see an increase in basic pay of 6% from 1 July. [Read more at > EIRO->http://www.eiro

The government has proposed extending rights for working parents, currently enjoyed in the civil service, right across the public sector. The minimum legal provision of three months' leave and time off for emergencies was much improved by negotiation in the civil service where 12 months of parental leave is available and civil servants have the right to work shorter hours until their children reach the age of 12. Private sector employers have reacted angrily to the proposals fearing that the government might extend them beyond the public sector. [Read more at > EIRO (EN)->http://www.eurofound

Parliament has agreed significant changes to the Labour Code, including: either severance pay or a layoff notice period but not both; longer periods for fixed-time employment; longer overtime hours permitted; less pay for overtime work; more night shifts allowed. While there are some positive elements in terms of holiday entitlement and maternity benefits the Slovak trade union confederation says that overall impact is aimed at weakening employees’ rights creating more flexibility for employers in the labour market. [Read more at > Slovak Spectator news website (EN)->http://spectator.sme.sk