Work/Life: international employment news update

Issue 56

Welcome to the latest edition of our international employment news update. Given the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, we wanted to direct readers to our practical resources aimed at supporting those who wish to understand and help the circumstances of Ukrainian people who want to be able to live and work. Here is the link led by our CE offices:

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Despite spy warning, Germany relaxes visa requirements for Russian workers

Germany will relax visa requirements for skilled workers from Russia, despite a special report by the Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution warning that Russian nationals seeking to come to Germany and those already working in the country face an increased risk of being blackmailed or otherwise pressured to gather information useful to a Russian economy increasingly cut off from global knowledge networks.

Overseas investment in UK rebounds

Last year 993 foreign direct investment projects were recorded in Britain last year – an increase from 975 in 2020, EY reports. Digital tech is the most popular sector with a rise of 7% in Britain despite a 7% fall in the rest of Europe. Of the 993 projects, 394 were recorded in London making it the leading city in Europe for foreign investments.

The Netherlands: most Deliveroo workers are not enforcing employment contracts

Deliveroo workers have the right to be recognized as employees, instead of freelancers. However, going to court to enforce a permanent contract could be daunting to meal deliverers. Many Deliveroo workers are migrants, might not speak Dutch, and the turnover rate is also high. Many deliverers might also not know their rights or understand that they can seek help from a trade union.

Poland issued 24% more foreigner work permits in 2021

Poland issued 504,200 work permits for foreigners in 2021, a 24% annual rise. The number of foreigners working in Poland has been rising rapidly. Compared to 2015, the number of work permits increased eightfold by 2021. The exception was 2020, when work permits fell due to the coronavirus pandemic. Ukrainians have been the biggest group of foreigners given the green light to work in Poland.

Jaguar Land Rover to hire hundreds in Slovakia

UK car maker Jaguar Land Rover will be making their new Defender model in the Slovak city of Nitra. The manufacturer aims to have hired 4,500 by Autumn and they note a third of Jaguar Land Rover employees are women. The jobs are open to Ukrainians as well.

Czech Republic: unemployment fell to 3.3 percent in April

Unemployment in the Czech Republic fell by a tenth of a percentage point to 3.3 % in April compared to the previous month. 243 658 people were unemployed, about nine thousand fewer than in March. The number of job vacancies fell by around 16 000, with 344 350 jobs offered by employers. Last year in April, unemployment in the Czech Republic was 4.1 percent.

World's top graduates get new UK visa option

Graduates from a top university listed in one of three lists will be eligible for the new 'high-potential individual' visa. The lists include 20 US universities including Harvard and MIT but no African, South Asian or Latin American ones. Applicants will not need to have a job offer, and if successful will be given a two-year visa if they hold a bachelor's or master's degree, and three years if they hold a PhD.

The French Supreme Court confirms the validity of the scale of damages created by “Macron law” in 2017

The Macron Law allowed for unfair dismissal awards to be calculated based on monthly pay and factors such as length of service. However, several labour courts and appeal courts refused to apply the scale as it does not in their view always provide adequate compensation especially if employees are elderly and will have more difficulty finding a new job.

On 11 May 2022 the French Supreme Court ruled that scale of damages provided by the Macron Law is valid.