Labor relations

The number of part-time workers in Greece is decreasing, albeit slowly, which is a determining factor for the incomes of Greek households.

Last Friday, in the presence of Labor and Social Insurance Minister Yiannis Panayiotou, Cyprus' social partners (trade unions and employers) signed a new transitional agreement on the Cost-of-Living Adjustment (CoLA), stipulating an increased allowance of 66.7% of last year's inflation from the previous 50%.

The shortages of workers, particularly skilled ones, defining the current economic climate have improved their bargaining position vis-a-vis employers. 

According to Randstad's HR trends survey of business executives for 2023, 66% believe job seekers have unrealistic salary expectations. Indeed, this figure has increased by 17 percentage points compared to 2022.

The measures introduced by the government to support incomes were significant, however, they could make up for the high cost incurred by employers due to social security contributions.

The government has offered a 30 percent increase in the wages of the public sector workers for the first half of 2023, a labor union leader has said.

The government also proposed a base salary of 11,500 Turkish Liras for workers employed in the public sector, said Engin Atalay, the leader of Türk-İş.

The fact that (yet another) last-minute amendment is required to overcome the short-circuiting caused by factionalism on the newly elected administrative boards does not cover the academic community in glory.

The work ethic in the wider public sector cannot change overnight. But the use of new digital instruments, such as the digital labor card, is the basis for efficiency and evaluation. 

It is a measure that does not affect the majority of consistent employees. It just needs to be applied and not slam into obstacles raised by trade unions.

French trade unions are heading for what is expected to be a decisive showdown with President Emmanuel Macron over pension reform, with massive strikes from March 7 aiming to bring the country "to a standstill."

After five separate days of protests so far this year, this week's stoppages herald a new phase in the battle between the centrist government and opponents of the changes.

Alamy Photo

A U.S. administrative judge has ruled that Amazon broke labor laws by threatening to withhold wage and benefits increases from employees at two New York warehouses if they voted to unionize.

Actors and theater workers have called a 48-hour strike on Wednesday and Thursday in protest at a draft government bill on pay in the sector.

Unionists said that under the proposed law, the "remuneration of artists in the wider public sector and in private entities will not be determined by collective labor agreements but by the respective government."