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European Edition
28th November 2025
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THE HOT STORY

UK government reverses day-one dismissal protection plan

The UK government has reversed its manifesto pledge to give workers protection from unfair dismissal from their first day in a job. Instead, the right will apply after six months, following pressure from business groups and opposition in the House of Lords. Ministers said the change was necessary to prevent delays to the wider Employment Rights Bill. While the Trades Union Congress welcomed the news, Unite questioned the decision, saying the Bill was now a "shell of its former self." In a joint statement, business groups including the British Chambers of Commerce, the Confederation of British Industry, and the Federation of Small Businesses said the agreement "keeps a qualifying period that is simple, meaningful, and understood within existing legislation." Ministers, meanwhile, have announced that the Fair Work Agency, which will be tasked with overseeing the new rights, will be set up in 2026.
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STRATEGY

Wacker Chemie to cut more than 1,500 jobs

German chemical group Wacker Chemie is to eliminate 1,500 jobs, or nearly 10% of its workforce, as part of a cost-cutting strategy. The job losses, primarily in Germany, aim to save over €300m annually and will be completed by the end of 2027. "Particularly in Germany, the excessively high energy prices and bureaucratic obstacles continue to act as a major brake on the successful development of the chemical industry," said CEO Christian Hartel. Wacker reported a net loss of over €80m in Q3, driven by weak demand and increased competition, particularly from China.
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WORKFORCE

Italian journalists strike today over contract issues

Italian journalists will strike today due to the failure to renew their collective contract, which has been expired since 2016. The journalists' union, FNSI, said that publishers aim to implement a two-tier system, and reduce rights for new hires. FNSI Secretary Alessandra Costante observed: "We want to keep the rights that publishers want to take away from us." Journalists are also concerned about the impact of artificial intelligence on their roles. The strike marks the first protest by journalists in Italy in 20 years.

Doctors' unions in France call for 'unprecedented' strike action in January

Unions representing doctors in France have announced a strike starting January 5th in opposition to the draft 2026 social security bill. Seven unions have called for the action, which would specifically affect médecins libéraux, meaning self-employed doctors, such as GPs and specialists with their own practices, and also medical students and interns (doctors in training). They argue that the bill threatens private practices by allowing the national healthcare system to unilaterally set rates in profitable sectors.

FNV raises alarm for couriers on Black Friday

The FNV union has raised concerns about the working conditions of delivery workers during today's Black Friday, describing the shopping event as “far from a celebration.” A survey revealed that many couriers face significant physical demands, with routes averaging 120 to 150 stops daily. Issues such as unsafe sorting facilities and inadequate breaks were highlighted. The union is urging the government to implement strict regulations on courier companies. DHL said it prioritises employee conditions and aims to reduce physical strain. PostNL has reported handling over 2.8m packages on its busiest day ever.

Pace of Volkswagen job cuts slows as fewer staff agree to leave

Volkswagen has suffered a dramatic slowdown in the number of workers agreeing to quit at its German sites as the carmaker attempts a sweeping cost-cutting plan, the Financial Times reports.
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HIRING

Netherlands advised to hire workers from emerging countries

The Netherlands must recruit workers from emerging countries such as Indonesia and Nigeria to avert an economic downturn, according to the government advisory body WRR. With over 50% of the Dutch population aged 50 or older, many sectors are struggling to find staff. “Our prosperity depends on having sufficient workers from other countries,” WRR researcher Gijsbert Werner said. “We need people. Who else is going to build the 100,000 homes a year that we need? The goods we buy also largely come from other countries, and manufacturers here use semi-finished goods from abroad.”

UK's disability employment gap remains stark

Nearly one in four working-age adults in the UK is disabled, yet disabled people remain excluded from work at twice the rate of non-disabled people. Ahead of the UN International Day of Persons with Disabilities, Sir Charlie Mayfield and the Disability Charities Consortium are urging employers to take meaningful action, noting that only 37% of FTSE 100 firms have disability initiatives. Some retailers are leading the way: Whitbread’s Thrive programme supports young people with special needs into jobs; Asda offers supported internships through DFN Project Search; and Marks & Spencer’s Marks & Start scheme has helped thousands into work.
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TECHNOLOGY

World's central banks are cautious of AI

The world's central banks are wary of artificial intelligence amid concern that AI-driven behaviour could "accelerate future crises," according to a survey by the Official Monetary and Financial Institutions Forum. "AI helps us see more, but decisions must remain with people," one participant was quoted as saying in the report from a working group of 10 central banks from Europe, Africa, Latin America and Asia managing roughly $6.5trn. More than 60% of respondents said that AI tools are not yet supporting core operations. although most central banks are using AI mainly for basic work, such as summarising data or scanning markets. "Most early applications centred on routine analytical tasks rather than risk management or portfolio construction," the report said.
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INTERNATIONAL

Attorneys general urge Congress to reject ban on state AI laws

Republican and Democratic attorneys general from 35 states and the District of Columbia have sent a letter to congressional leaders calling on them to reject a ban on states’ ability to enact artificial intelligence laws. “While AI promises to be a transformative technology in numerous fields, it also poses significant risks - notably to the most vulnerable among us, our children. States must be empowered to apply existing laws and formulate new approaches to meet the range of challenges associated with AI,” the group wrote, adding “We are also deeply troubled by sycophantic and delusional generative AI outputs plunging individuals into spirals of mental illness, suicide, self-harm, and violence.” ChatGPT maker OpenAI, Google, Meta and venture capital firm Andreessen Horowitz have called for national AI standards instead of a 50-state patchwork, Reuters notes.

Indian trade unions unite against new labour codes

On Wednesday, a coalition of 10 major Indian trade unions staged nationwide protests against the government's new labour codes, which they labelled a "deceptive fraud" against workers. Demonstrators expressed concerns that the reforms erode job security and favour employers. Tapan Sen, general secretary of the Centre of Indian Trade Unions, said: "Workers' rights are being bulldozed." The new codes replace 29 existing laws and aim to modernise labour regulations, but unions argue they disproportionately benefit employers and restrict workers' rights. 

Theborn Korea referred to prosecutors over alleged worker 'blacklist'

Food and beverage company Theborn Korea has been referred to prosecutors for allegedly blocking workers from finding new jobs. The Ministry of Employment and Labor's Seoul Gangnam District Office recommended indictment after discovering a message on an online forum that violated the Labour Standards Act. Theborn Korea claimed the bulletin board was inactive and created at franchise owners' requests. However, the ministry found it constituted an illegal attempt to hinder employment. The company has also faced other violations, including unpaid allowances, which have since been resolved.
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OTHER

EU won't force tech giants to identify and remove online child sexual abuse

European Union member states won't force global tech companies such as Google and Meta to identify and remove online child sexual abuse. Reuters says the position represents a victory for the companies and for anti-surveillance activists who had argued that draft online child protection rules threaten privacy, and is part of a wider pushback against regulation led by U.S. President Donald Trump.  Online providers will be required  to assess the risk of their services being used to disseminate child sexual abuse material and take preventative measures, but the European Council left enforcement up to national governments. EU member states will now have to thrash out details of the draft rules with EU lawmakers before the legislation can be passed. An EU Centre on Child Sexual Abuse will be set up to help countries comply and provide assistance for victims.
 
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