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Labor Market


Czech Republic: Disinflation Continues

Analysts expect Czech economy to grow by 1.7 % next year.
March 29, 2013


Strikes Paralyze Poland

Protests against government’s changes in education, social and labor policy.
March 27, 2013


Hungary: Tax Overhaul Finalized

Minister for National Economy: taxation system completed - time for fine-tuning.
March 27, 2013


Head of Bank of Cyprus Withdraws

Head of Cyprus’ biggest bank withdraws. Cyprus’ Labor Minister warns of recession and economic downturn due to the austerity measures imposed by the EU and Commission.
March 26, 2013


Czech Republic: Confidence in Domestic Economy Inreased Marginally

Overall confidence in domestic economy increased slightly in March. The composite confidence indicator (economic sentiment indicator) increased by 0.2 points compared to February.
March 25, 2013


Austrians Poorer Than Italians or Spaniards?

According to a study carried out by the German Central Bank (Bundesbank) assets of private households in Austria is less than in Italy or Spain.
March 22, 2013


"Croatia Will Not Benefit From Joining The EU"

Croatia will join the European Union as the 28th member state in a few months. Economists criticize the country for not carrying out enough reforms and only focusing on tourism.
March 22, 2013


Hungary: In a Debt Crisis Soon?

New all-time high in debts was reported. Hungarian populations hopes for fast political turn-around.
March 22, 2013


Poland’s Finance Minister Shows Optimism

Deputy Finance Minister Majszczyk announced that Poland will not exeed the planned budget deficit and forcasts economic growth for the second half of the year.
March 22, 2013


Part-Time Jobs Increase While Full-Time Jobs Are Axed

Figures in the labor market were not very satisfying due to the economy being affected by the crisis. The unemployment rate in Austria increased in 2012 more rapidly than in 2011, according to international calculations.
March 21, 2013


Slight Improvement for Austria’s Economy in 2013/14

IHS (Institute of Advanced Studies) and Wifo (Austrian Institute of Economic Research) forecast a sluggish growth for Austrian’s economy.
March 21, 2013


Hungary: Gross Earnings Increased Marginally

In the national economy – at corporations employing at least 5 persons, budgetary and designated non-profit institutions – average gross earnings increased by 2.5%, while net earnings excluding family tax benefits grew by 3.9% compared to 2011.
March 21, 2013


FCC to Cut Down On Manpower

Alpine’s parent company, Spanish construction enterprise FCC is going to cut back on 1,000 jobs. Furthermore, company shares that are not part of the core business in the amount of € 2.2bn are supposed to be sold.
March 20, 2013


Austria: Welfare Fraud Costs € 1bn Per Year

According to a study, which was commissioned by the Chamber of Commerce (WKO) and carried out by the Johannes-Kepler University in Linz, social fraud causes a smaller amount of economic damage than fiscal evation and black labor.
March 19, 2013


Czech Republic: Opposition Rejects Austerity Measures

Opposition leader Sobotka was re-elected last Friday as chairman of the Social Democrats. In an interview with Reuters he explains why the government needs to slow down on austerity measures.
March 18, 2013


Slovakia: Fico’s Plans For The Future

In a speech at the congress of the Czech senior opposition Social Democrats (CSSD) on Saturday, Prime Minister of Slovakia, Robert Fico explained his future plans.
March 18, 2013


Hungary: Dissatisfaction Towards Government Grows

Right-wing leader Viktor Orban has been in parliament for almost three years. But the promised reforms and changes to improve the economic situation came to nothing. Protests are arising.
March 18, 2013


Future of the EU Requires Solidarity And Integration

The EU has declared the year 2013 to be the “year of citizens”. The citizens of the EU should become aware of their European identity and their rights that come along with it.
March 15, 2013


Romanian Labor Costs Increased Dramatically

The EU average increase in labor costs in the 4th quarter in 2012 increased by 1.3 % throughout the EU. Front runner turns out to be Romania.
March 15, 2013


Poland: Inflation Decreasing

Declining inflation was supported by weaker demand and cost pressures in the economy, decrease in energy price growth as well as zloty exchange rate stronger than a year ago.
March 15, 2013


Hungary: Number of Emigrants to Austria Increases

More and more Hungarians emigrate to Austria due to economic and political reason.
March 14, 2013


Slovak Unemployment Rate on the Rise

In January, compared with January 2012, the employment decreased in five surveyed sectors.
March 14, 2013


Turkey: Economic Imbalances Become More Visible

Unlike the Eurozone, Turkey´s economy still shows substantial growth rates. However, Turkey suffers from a number of structural weaknesses.
March 13, 2013


Austrian Economy Recovers Cautiously

At the moment, Austria´s economy still stagnates. In the first quarter of 2013, the economic growth rate only comes at 0.1%, the Austrian National Bank says.
March 13, 2013


Latvia: Part Time Workers to Improve Employment

As economic growth has recovered, also demand in the labour market is increasing. Unemployed persons traditionally are the source used to increase the number of employed persons.
March 13, 2013


Estonia: Economic Growth Reached 3.2%

According to the second estimates of Statistics Estonia, in 2012 the gross domestic product (GDP) increased by 3.2% compared to the previous year.
March 13, 2013


Czech Republic: Average Wage Increased Due to Bonuses

In Q4 2012 the average gross monthly nominal wage per employee FTE in the entire national economy increased by 3.7% compared to the corresponding period of the previous year.
March 11, 2013


Estonia: Hope For Employment Rate to Increase

Employment continued to grow at the end of 2012.
March 8, 2013


Estonian Labor Market Records Promising Results

In the 4th quarter the number of job vacancies increased by four percent.
March 8, 2013


Slovenian National Bank: “GDP Decline in Line with Expectations”

The Governing Board of the Bank of Slovenia discussed current economic and financial developments.
March 7, 2013


Romania: Average Earnings Down Substantially

In January 2013, the average gross nominal earnings were 2138 lei, by 8.7% lower than the one registered in December 2012.
March 7, 2013


Leitl: "Restructuring Instead of Cashing in"

Christoph Leitl, head of WKO (Austrian Chamber of Commerce), dismisses further plans for a tax hike. The outcome would be fatal and the economy exposed to threats.
March 6, 2013


Bulgaria: Still Fighting Minimal Growth and Weak Economy

The Balkan country has the lowest living standards in the EU and the population’s frustration over its failure to improve the economic situation led to mass protests.
March 6, 2013


Poland: NBP Cuts Interest Rate to Record Low

The council of fiscal policy has cut interests rate down to 3.25 % which is the lowest since Poland’s democratic turnaround in 1989.
March 6, 2013


Estonia: Turnover in Business Sector Increased by 7 %

2012 proves to be a successful year for the business sector
March 6, 2013


Poland: Government Retains Economic Forecast

Despite the economic slowdown, Poland´s Minister of Finance Jacek Rostowski demonstrates optimism.
March 5, 2013


Romania: Corlatean Questions Admittance to Schengen-Agreement

Exterior minister Corlatean shows no more interest in Romania’s joining the Schengen-zone. Several member states disapprove of this idea.
March 2, 2013


Romania: Labor Market Situation Improves Slightly

In January 2013, the seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was estimated at 6.6%, decreasing by 0.1 percentage point as compared to the previous month.
March 2, 2013


Latvia: Unemployment Shrinks Rapidly

Data of the Central Statistical Bureau show that the number of unemployed persons (aged 15-74) in 2012 has diminished by 11.1 thousand.
March 1, 2013


Czech Republic: Unemployment Grows Slightly

In January 2013, the general employment was up by 1.3 percentage points. The unemployment rate came at 7.0% in January.
March 1, 2013


Austria: Record High in People Unemployed

At the end of February, 404,006 persons were seeking for a job. Compared to January this means an increase of 5.3 % or further 16,337 people jobless.
March 1, 2013


Bulgaria: Economy to Stabilize

Despite the enormous political instability, Bulgaria is expected to record positive growth rates this year.
February 28, 2013


Austrian Budget: Pensions as Risk Factor

Until 2017, the additional burden has a size of € 1.0bn, Austrian Minister of Finance Maria Fekter says in an interview with “Presse”.
February 28, 2013


Slovakia: Economic Growth Almost Coming to Still-Stand

Growth estimates are lower than predicted by NBS. Export sales lag behind and the domestic economy is in a recession. Opposing parties blame the new labor regulations.
February 27, 2013


Slovakia: Unemployment Rate Reaches All-time High

Prime Minister Fico blames stagnating economy for highest unemployment rate since 2004.
February 27, 2013


Austria: Productivity Grows Moderately

Since 2005, the labor productivity per hour was up by 16%, the Austrian advisory firm Czipin says.
February 27, 2013


Hungary: Employment Moves Upwards

In November 2012–January 2013, the number of employed people was 3,855 thousand, 39 thousand more than a year ago.
February 27, 2013


Hungary: Unemployment Rate Unchanged

In November 2012–January 2013, the number of unemployed people was 486 thousand, the unemployment rate was 11.2%.
February 26, 2013


Bulgaria: Protests Continue in Sofia and Varna

Bulgarian political decisions are afflicted by extreme unpopularity as almost 60 % of the population suffers from immediate poverty. Riots continue in Sofia and Varna.
February 24, 2013


Latvia: Exports Remain Growth Driver

In 2013, the Baltic countries will remain the best performing economies in the EU. However, the growth will slow down a bit.
February 23, 2013