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Labor Market Policy


Bulgaria: Labor Hour Costs Increased 5.1 % in Q4 2012

Preliminary data of NSI for the Fourth Quarter of 2012 indicated that the total hourly labour cost rose by 5.1% compared to the Fourth Quarter of 2011.
March 30, 2013


67 % of Estonians Work in Service Sector

According to the data of the 2011 Population and Housing Census (PHC 2011) of Statistics Estonia, 67% of persons employed in Estonia worked in service sector, 29% in industrial sector and only 4% in primary sector.
March 30, 2013


Hungary: Economic Growth Only in 2014

The MNB, the National Bank of Hungary estimates economic growth to further stagnate in 2013 but forcasts positive devolopments for the next year.
March 29, 2013


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


Austria: Tax Burden Lessens With Higher Income

According to an OECD study only three industrialized nations (Austria, Germany and Spain) show a degressive tax system.
March 26, 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


Austria Showing Less Reforming Zeal

According to the so-called „D-A-CH-Reformbarometer“, a study which was commissioned by the Chamber of Commerce, Austria’s will to reform has diminished.
March 20, 2013


Austria: How to Keep Enterprises (from Drifting Away)

At the moment, there is a subtle fear in Austria’s economy that large enterprises are going to outsource to foreign countries which is currently the case with voestalpine.
March 19, 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


Latvia: Increase for Minimum Wages Turned Down

Prime Minister Valdis Dombrovskis explained that a raise of minimum wages to LVL 303 (€ 428) is not realizable at the moment.
March 12, 2013


Bulgaria: „Eagle’s Bridge“-Protests Start Today

Other meetings of protest representatives are taking place in Gabrov today to elect a committee for further negotiations with government.
March 9, 2013


Estonia: Hope For Employment Rate to Increase

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


Hungary: Highest Loss in Real Wages in Five Years

Gross salaries increased 4.6 % while net income only saw moderate rise at 2 % in 2012.
March 6, 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


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


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


Call for Structural Reform of Social Policy

The Federation of Austrian Industries reaffirms the high non-wage labor costs and intends to raise efficiencies in the health sector. The retirement age would be too low.
April 12, 2012