EIROnlineThe European Industrial Relations Observatory (EIRO) is a monitoring instrument offering news and analysis on European industrial relations. Its aim is to collect, analyse and disseminate high-quality and up-to-date information on key developments in industrial relations in Europe. It aims primarily to serve the needs of national and European level organisations of the social partners, governmental organisations and EU institutions.New rules on unemployment benefit impose stricter criteria- February 26, 2007 On 1 January 2007, new rules on unemployment benefit came into effect. The new rules impose more stringent measures in relation to unemployed persons refusing job offers. The main changes introduced affect non-voluntary unemployment and, in the case of restructuring, restrictions on the number of workers in each company who are entitled to unemployment benefit. Moreover, the parameters of a so-called convenient job have been established, obliging those in receipt of unemployment benefit to...http://www.eiro.eurofound.eu.int/2007/01/articles/pt0701029i.html Companies opt for collective dismissals rather than lay-offs- February 26, 2007 Companies are increasingly using collective dismissals instead of lay-offs to cope with the reduction or temporary suspension of work, according to findings of the General Directorate for Studies, Statistics and Planning. Collective dismissals are also being used more frequently than softer solutions like agreements to work fewer hours and adapting wages, in order to maintain jobs. While the flexible legislation on collective dismissals in Portugal is not the sole reason for this trend, it has..http://www.eiro.eurofound.eu.int/2007/01/articles/pt0701039i.html Government grants tax breaks to companies hiring long-term unemployed- February 26, 2007 Since 1 January 2007, the budgetary framework law enacting the 2007 state budget offers fiscal incentives to companies to recruit not only young job seekers but also long-term unemployed people. Thus, companies which hire long-term unemployed persons on the basis of a permanent employment contract will benefit from a 50% reduction in their corresponding tax contributions.http://www.eiro.eurofound.eu.int/2007/01/articles/pt0701049i.html Agreement at Volkswagen plant guarantees wage increase and more jobs- February 19, 2007 Following intense negotiations, the Portuguese Volkswagen plant Autoeuropa and the companys works council reached a pre-accord agreement aimed at establishing a mid-term agreement on flexibility and job guarantees for20062008. On 18 October 2006, all Autoeuropa workers were called to vote on this mid-term agreement. The vast majority of workers participated in the vote, and 62% of workers approved the agreement. The agreement aims to prime the company for the Volkswagen Groups internal...http://www.eiro.eurofound.eu.int/2006/12/articles/pt0612039i.html New legislation provides for increase in pension entitlements- February 19, 2007 On 30 November 2006, the government issued a new directive (No. 1357-A2006) updating the pension regulations concerning disability, occupational disease, old age and survivors benefit. As a result, new pension rules came into force on 1 January 2007. The criteria for updating pensions took into consideration the new scheme included in the draft bill on social security reform that was being discussed in parliament. Under this scheme, pensions are calculated in relation to a new index independent.http://www.eiro.eurofound.eu.int/2007/01/articles/pt0701019i.html |