(23/7/2010)

Last week the European Federation of Building and Woodworkers took note of a deliberate action to circumvent binding EU-legislation on minimum conditions for posted workers. The Enterprise Europe Network, which falls under the direct authority of the European Commmission, has advised a Czech company “Solara” that they would have a competitive advantage over local Germany and Austrian companies by registering workers as self-employed workers in Germany for installation works. This...

(14/7/2010)

During its last Executive Committee meeting the EFBWW adopted a policy on worker participation and health and safety management systems. The paper clearly describes the role and importance of both the worker’s individual participation and the participation of their representatives in all aspects of a company’s health and safety activities. It underlines that especially a proper risk assessment, in all its phases, is very much depending on the active participation of workers. The paper...

(14/7/2010)

During the Plenary meeting of the European Social Dialogue for the Construction Industry on 30 June, EFBWW and FIEC agreed on a joint position paper regarding the results of the European High Level Group, also known as the “Stoiber Group”. This group, installed by the European Commission, aimed at elaborating concrete proposals to reduce administrative burdens due to EU legislation. The proceedings and methodology of the group are strongly criticised by EFBWW and FIEC as the proposals...

(14/7/2010)

At 15 June the European Works Council of the ETEX Group has adopted a health and safety charter. Workers representative and the management of the group signed an agreement which covers both, requirements regarding the health and safety organization and the representation and participation of workers as well as specific requirements regarding diverse hazards. To include strong requirements regarding the participation of workers and their individual rights was a central issue for the workers...

(28/6/2010)

The combined effects of the Laval and Viking judgments, together with some other EU regulations and an increased inclination of employers to settle disputes in court, have put the right to strike in international disputes under threat. An ILO Expert Report from 2010 is confirming this situation and saying that the Viking and Laval judgments create a situation where the rights under ILO Convention No 87 concerning Freedom of Association and Protection of the Right to Organise cannot be...