Issue 113
Welcome to the latest edition of our international employment news update.
In this edition we look at:
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EU AI Act: Brussels issues guidance on banned AI practices
The European Commission has released detailed guidance on enforcing the EU AI Act, the world's most comprehensive AI regulation, which affects high-risk practices like facial recognition databases and social scoring systems. Companies must comply with strict rules (risk assessments, transparency, human oversight) to avoid fines of up to EUE35 million or 7% of global revenue. While some fear the rules could stifle innovation, others see them as setting a global standard for responsible AI regulation. For more see our Global Data Hub.
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Spain plans to cut workweek to 37.5 hours without salary reductions
The Spanish government has approved a draft law to reduce the legal working week from 40 to 37.5 hours while maintaining salaries, marking the first such change in decades. Labour Minister Yolanda Díaz described the move as a step toward improving work-life balance, boosting productivity, and modernizing Spain's labour market. If passed by parliament, the measure will take effect by the end of 2025. This change, aimed at improving work-life balance and boosting productivity, aligns closely with the ongoing discussions around remote work in Spain. Our upcoming webinar on 20 February, 'Unlocking remote work in Spain: seizing opportunities and overcoming challenges in the EU,' offers a timely platform to explore how these two developments intersect.
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New concept of harassment in France
On 21 January 2025, the French High Court (Cour de Cassation) issued a decision in the France Telecom case, officially recognizing the concept of 'institutional moral harassment' for the first time. This ruling marks a significant development in both criminal and labour law in France. The court established that harassment could stem from company-wide policies, not just individual manager-employee relationships. This expands the scope of moral harassment in the workplace, holding companies and their leaders accountable for systemic practices that harm employee well-being.
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Poland strengthens protection against workplace bullying
The Polish Ministry of Family, Labour and Social Policy has prepared a draft law aimed at providing greater protection against workplace bullying, known as 'mobbing.' The proposed legislation seeks to simplify the definition of mobbing and focus on persistent harassment as its key characteristic. Employers will be obligated to implement anti-bullying and anti-discrimination rules in workplace regulations, take preventive measures, and support victims of mobbing.
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New Dutch initiative to tackle homelessness among migrant workers
The trade union CNV and the Salvation Army have launched a plan to address the growing issue of homelessness among migrant workers in the Netherlands. Approximately 60% of the country’s homeless population - around 10,000 people - are migrant workers who have lost their jobs and as a consequence their employer-provided housing. The initiative proposes linking homeless shelters, Regional Work Centres, and municipalities to help migrant workers find new jobs and housing within three weeks or facilitate their return to their home countries.
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Slovakia launches largest crackdown on bogus self-employment
Slovak labour inspectors have carried out the largest-ever operation to uncover bogus self-employment, checking more than 300 people, including third-country nationals, in one manufacturing company. The operation uncovered illegal employment, where individuals posed as self-employed while working as regular employees. This is part of a wider effort to combat illegal employment. In 2024, Slovak inspectors carried out 18,266 controls, finding 1,392 people working illegally. Companies found violating labour laws face hefty fines of up to EUR200,000.
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