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European Edition
20th June 2025
 
THE HOT STORY
France plans final pension talks
French unions and employers will meet on June 23 for final talks on revising the 2023 pension reform, although employer group Medef may boycott. The reform raised the retirement age from 62 to 64, sparking union resistance. Prime Minister Francois Bayrou agreed to revisit the issue to gain Socialist backing amid no-confidence threats. Employers oppose reversing the age hike, fearing higher payroll costs. Despite some progress, labour minister Astrid Panosyan-Bouvet acknowledged a broader deal remains out of reach. France’s pension system, which is heavily state-funded, faces a projected deficit of 1.4% of GDP by 2070.
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CORPORATE
Thyssenkrupp CEO faces board revolt
Thyssenkrupp’s deputy chairman and labour leader Juergen Kerner plans to vote against renewing CEO Miguel Lopez’s contract, citing a failure to deliver a steel division turnaround. The rare boardroom rebellion highlights union frustration following a stake sale to Czech billionaire Daniel Kretinsky. Kerner, representing IG Metall and 10 labour-aligned board members, warned of “massive resistance,” including potential strikes. Chairman Siegfried Russwurm may need to use his casting vote to retain Lopez. Kerner criticized Kretinsky’s refusal to engage with workers, calling him an “unsuitable partner” for the future of the steel business.
WORKFORCE
Paris Metro drivers strike today over working conditions
Paris Metro drivers have initiated a one-day strike today due to "unacceptable" changes in working conditions on Line 3. The strike will impact services on three lines: Line 3 will operate at half capacity, Line 3b will have no services, and Line 13 will run three out of four normal services. Other Metro lines will function as usual, and city buses, trams, and RER services will remain unaffected. This strike coincides with the Fête de la musique, prompting RATP to announce extended services on several lines for the event.
Further strike warning for Helsinki
The Finnish Aviation Union (IAU) has announced a new strike action warning for airport ground workers on 4 July, following a prolonged pay dispute with the employers' group Palta that has persisted since January. Earlier this week, the union also warned of a work stoppage on 2 July, leading to Finnair cancelling 128 flights and affecting over 8,200 passengers.
HEALTH & WELLBEING
1m sick and burned out UK workers set to quit by 2026
Over 1m workers in the UK are expected to resign by 2026 due to burnout and health issues, according to a report by the Work Foundation. The analysis highlights that 6% of the workforce plans to leave their jobs by June 2026, with younger workers aged 16 to 24 being particularly affected. The report calls for a redesign of jobs, advocating for flexible working arrangements and improved health benefits to address the declining mental health of employees. Ben Harrison, director of the foundation, warned that without additional support, "we could see a new generation scarred by unemployment and economic inactivity." A government spokesman said: "We are determined to create a welfare system that supports people into work and out of poverty – backed by £1bn to help sick or disabled people find good, secure jobs."
STRATEGY
Monopoly maker Hasbro lays off 3% of workforce
Hasbro, the toy seller and maker of Monopoly, has laid off 3% of its global workforce, or about 150 employees, in an attempt to cut costs amid higher U.S. tariffs on toys from China. "We are aligning our structure with our long-term goals," Hasbro spokesperson Abby Hodes said. The toymaker sources about half of its toys and games sold in the U.S. from China, and has been accelerating efforts to diversify sourcing. According to the company's fiscal 2024 annual filing, it had roughly 4,985 employees globally.
TECHNOLOGY
Gen AI set to transform Europe's legal sector
The Global Legal Post, in collaboration with LexisNexis, has released a report detailing how European law firms are preparing for the transformative impact of Gen AI on the legal profession. Senior lawyers from Spain, Germany, Italy, Portugal, and Belgium anticipate significant changes in service delivery and daily operations. Key insights include the necessity for tailored AI integration strategies, as noted by Sebastien Bardou, VP strategy at LexisNexis, who observed: "The smaller [firms] will be able to implement very quickly, because the disruption would be quite limited." The report also highlights the evolving skill requirements for lawyers, and highlights the need for critical thinking and AI proficiency. As firms adapt, they must rethink training methods and client engagement strategies, with a shift towards value-based billing becoming increasingly prevalent. The report, titled 'Harnessing Gen AI in Law - Lessons from the Front Lines in Europe,' underscores the urgency for firms to innovate and embrace AI technologies to remain competitive.
LEGAL
Finance blog raided over suspected Swiss banking secrecy law breaches
The Zurich Public Prosecutor's Office has raided the offices of popular financial blog Inside Paradeplatz over suspected violations of banking secrecy laws. The journal and its manager, Lukas Hässig, are the subject of criminal proceedings related to the case of Pierin Vincenz, the former chief executive of Raiffeisen Switzerland.
INTERNATIONAL
Disabled Amazon workers allege discrimination over return-to-office mandate
Amazon's strict return-to-office policy has led to backlash from disabled employees, who claim the company is violating the Americans with Disabilities Act and their collective bargaining rights. At least two employees have filed complaints with federal agencies, citing Amazon’s refusal to grant accommodations and alleged retaliation against those who advocate for disabled workers. Some employees are also concerned about Amazon’s use of AI to handle accommodation requests, fearing it may lead to legal issues. Amazon maintains that its accommodation process is empathetic and compliant with the law, denying any discrimination or retaliation. Over 71% of disabled Amazon employees surveyed reported that the company denied or did not fulfill most of their accommodation requests, and half said they encountered "hostile" work environments after disclosing their disabilities and seeking accommodations.
Latin American AI model scheduled to launch later in year
A coalition of twelve Latin American countries is set to launch Latam-GPT in September, the first large AI language model tailored to the region's cultural and linguistic diversity. Spearheaded by Chile's National Center for Artificial Intelligence (CENIA) and supported by over 30 regional institutions, this open-source project aims to enhance AI accessibility and preserve Indigenous languages, with initial applications planned for education and public services. Chilean Science Minister Aisen Etcheverry described the initiative as a potential "democratising element for AI," and highlighted its role in addressing the limitations of existing global AI models.
OTHER
Japan footballer still going strong at 58
Kazuyoshi Miura, at 58 years and 109 days, has set a new record as the oldest player in the Japan Football League, marking his 40th professional season with Atletico Suzuka. Coming on as a substitute in the 82nd minute, Miura contributed to a 2-1 victory over YSCC Yokohama. Despite not scoring, he expressed his gratitude, saying: "Thanks to help from my teammates and trainers, I've been able to make it this far." Miura, who returned to Japan after a stint in Portugal, aims to elevate his performance further, saying: "I'm looking to step up a gear from here." He made his debut in 1986 and has played a significant role in popularising football in Japan.
 


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