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Germany

German train drivers signal new strike over pay and working conditions

The union's demands include better working conditions, a 3.2% salary increase and a one-time "coronavirus bonus" of €600.

Work

Half of US workers want mandatory COVID vaccines to return to work

The AP-NORC poll of 1,729 employees finds a similarly favourable sentiment among workers towards masks being required to be worn in the workplace.

Work

Would you accept being paid less to work remotely?

New plans could see Google employees who choose remote working paid less according to their location and cost of living.

Work

Amazon workers could get second vote on joining union

The workers in Alabama rejected joining a union by a two-thirds majority in April. But now a US official says the company's tactics were illegal, potentially triggering a re-run.

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France

Ikea France fined €1 million for spying on staff and some customers

The French subsidiary of the home furnishings giant Ikea was found guilty of spying on union representatives, employees and some unhappy customers in the country.

Work

Gig work companies have been slated in new Oxford University ranking

Courier service Amazon Flex and cab companies Ola and Bolt scored zero out of 10 for fairness to their workers. How did others fare?

Russia

At least 10 workers die after accident at Russian sewage plant

At least 10 people have died while cleaning sewers near the Russian city of Taganrog after inhaling toxic fumes, local authorities said.

Europe News

MEPs call for the rights of gig economy workers to be strengthened

European lawmakers voted Wednesday in favour of plans to fight inequality and in-work poverty, calling for a minimum wage and equal labour conditions for platform workers.

No Comment

Protesters air Amazon gripes outside Jeff Bezos' NYC apartment block

They sought to highlight that Amazon had profited during the pandemic and that, at the same time, workers were unhappy over pay and protections.

Europe News

MEPs adopt road transport reform which fuelled east-west tensions

The mobility package fuelled tensions within the European Union for three years, but its adoption by MEPs may calm a longstanding debate on working conditions for hauliers.

Finland

Locals muck in for Finland's summer strawberry harvest

Migrants normally make up the bulk of fruit pickers in Finland, but in this pandemic year, farmers are instead turning to locals for help.

United Kingdom

Charities fear rise in modern slavery as UK lockdown eases

Campaigners fear the easing of coronavirus lockdowns could spark a rise in exploitation, as businesses scramble to recruit low-paid workers.

World News

Should Europe follow Twitter and make it easier to work at home?

Twitter is allowing its employees to work from home permanently. Should Europe shift to this model?

Germany

Why Germany's slaughterhouses are hot spots for the COVID-19 pandemic

Unions say much of the cheap meat on our supermarket shelves is slaughtered by migrant workers who earn low wages, live in cramped shared accommodation and operate in crowded working conditions even in the midst of a pandemic.

No Comment

Ford's Europe HQ back at work as production restarts in first gear

Ford has restarted production at its main European car plants with strict standards on social distancing and safety precautions.

France

'We feel useful': Meet the workers keeping Lyon going during lockdown

Most of those forced to risk their health to serve food, man cash-desks or drive buses do so for minimum wage and some don't receive state aid.

World News

The dark and bloody origins of May Day

How a bloody riot in Chicago in 1886 gave birth to a public holiday marked across the world.

Spain

COVID-19: Spain allows partial return to work as death toll slows

Workers in Spanish factories, construction and some offices have been going back to work as the government lifts restrictions on non-essential industries

No Comment

Tehran disinfects streets to protect against COVID-19 coronavirus

Iran is one of the worst-hit countries by COVID-19.

United Kingdom

‘Speak English’ in order to work in UK, post-Brexit migrants are told

The UK’s future immigration policy includes a points-based system designed to end ‘cheap labour from Europe’.