Sweden
The EIRO industrial relations observatory reports that enforced part-time work is a major problem in Sweden with 200,000 workers, 75% of them women, working fewer hours than they want to because of labour market conditions. The care sector is one of the main sectors affected and both unions and employers have rejected government proposals to legislate on the issue.
Read more at > EIRO
After lengthy negotiations civil servants and employees of the Vienna municipality have the right to switch to part-time work to help them looking after their children up to the age of seven. In the child's first four years, the parent can cut their hours by at least a quarter and up to three quarters. During the next three years the maximum working time reduction is half of normal hours. This entitlement applies to all employees and civil servants with at least three years' service. [Read more at > GDG->http://www.gdg.at/servlet/ContentServer?pagename=C01/Page/Index&n=C01_0.a&cid
Three unions - Fagforbundet, NSF and Delta - with a combined total membership of 560000, are joining forces to address the continuing problem of part-time work in health and social care. The unions say that around two-thirds of workers in the sector, employed mainly by municipalities - are on part-time contracts. This is a problem for many workers, making it difficult to make ends meet. The unions argue that the problem has been recognised at national level and some municipalities have taken action but they say the government needs to ensure that municipalities have the funding so that they
