Human Times

European Edition

14th November 2025

THE HOT STORY

Portugal's government seeks dialogue with unions

Portugal's minority centre-right government has said it is open to discussions with unions ahead of a planned general strike on December 11. Minister for Cabinet Affairs Antonio Leitao Amaro said: "It is hard to understand why some want to halt the country . . . when the government is showing its real, true and concrete openness to dialogue." The looming strike, which is supported by the UGT and CGTP unions, opposes proposed labour law reforms that would ease dismissals and increase outsourcing. Unions argue these changes threaten workers' rights, while the government is seeking to boost productivity. UGT leader Mario Mourao has said that the strike could be called off if the government presented a new reform plan which takes into account union proposals.

Reuters

WORKFORCE

European countries see increase in attacks against migrant workers

France 24 reports that several European countries have seen an increase in attacks on migrant workers as hate speech becomes more prevalent across the continent. Concern about the situation is growing in Romania, which relies heavily on non-EU workers in its manufacturing, construction, trade and hospitality sectors. Romulus Badea, president of the country's Employers' Federation of Labour Force Importers, said that while attacks against foreign workers have been isolated, he hopes they won't "become a phenomenon." The Council of Europe's anti-discrimination body, the European Commission against Racism and Intolerance (ECRI), said last month in a report on Romania: "Issues of concern are the increasing presence of hate speech in political discourse, in the media and online."

France 24

Ireland's My Future Fund scheme is imminent

The Chartered Institute for Personnel and Development's Market Director Ireland Alison Hodgson has said everybody has a responsibility to understand what the new state-sponsored My Future Fund Retirement Savings Scheme - which launches on the 1st of January - means for them personally, and as an employer. Hodgson said: "Whilst the short-term benefits, or the short-term reality may be harsh, I think the long-term benefits will be real. It's about taking a holistic approach and it's all to do with financial well-being as part of the wider workplace." The government is pulling payroll data this month, and any eligible workers aged over 22 and earning the equivalent of more than €20,000 and who are not already registered in a company pension scheme will be automatically enrolled in the new scheme.

RTE.ie

HEALTH & WELLBEING

Stress levels soar among Dutch workers

Last year, 16% of workers in the Netherlands reported experiencing job-related stress, according to a study by the Netherlands Organization for Applied Scientific Research (TNO) and Statistics Netherlands (CBS). Pharmacy assistants reported the highest stress levels at 50.8%, followed by teachers (38.5%) and medical professionals. Additionally, 42% felt they had little control over their work. Stressed employees expressed concerns about their future job satisfaction, with 52% anticipating less enjoyment and 46.7% believing more measures are needed to alleviate work pressure.

NL Times

STRATEGY

JPMorgan staff relocated to new Berlin HQ

JPMorgan has relocated 120 employees to its new central Berlin headquarters as it prepares to launch its Chase digital retail bank in Germany in the second quarter of next year, with plans to expand hiring in the future. The bank is attracted to Germany's vast wealthy customer base and stable regulatory environment, but faces a challenge entering an already competitive market. Additionally, JPMorgan recently faced a significant fine of €45m for lapses in money-laundering prevention, highlighting ongoing regulatory scrutiny.

Reuters

HIRING

One in five jobseekers in Luxembourg is under 30 years old

Youth unemployment in Luxembourg is a growing concern, with 20% of jobseekers under the age of 30. The Chamber of Employees (CSL) has highlighted the need for better vocational training and career guidance to improve job prospects for young people. Employment agency Adem stated: "Vocational training improves your chances on the labour market."

Luxembourg Times

CYBERSECURITY

UK cyber insurance payouts jump by 230%

Cyber insurance payouts in the UK reached £197m (€223m) in 2024, a 230% increase from the £59m recorded a year earlier, according to the Association of British Insurers. The surge reflects a significant rise in cyber attacks affecting businesses. High-profile companies including Marks & Spencer and Jaguar Land Rover having suffered damaging breaches this year. The share of claims related to malware and ransomware attacks has increased to 51%, up from 32% in 2023.

Financial Times

The Daily Telegraph

ECONOMY

Europe's plastics industry at risk under broken market economics

Over 110 organisations in Europe's plastics value chain have alerted EU policymakers about the failing recycling industry. They highlighted the growing disparity between virgin and recycled plastic prices, which threatens recyclers' viability and the EU's circular economy goals. The signatories, part of the ‘Ring the Bell for Recycling' campaign led by Searious Business, have proposed several measures, including addressing cost imbalances and enhancing market mechanisms. Willemijn Peeters, CEO of Searious Business, said: “If plastic recycling is not a viable commercial prospect, it cannot solve the pollution crisis.”

Environmental Data Interactive Exchange

SECURITY

EU to set up new intelligence unit under Ursula von der Leyen

The Financial Times reports that the European Commission is setting up a new intelligence body under President Ursula von der Leyen, in an attempt to improve the use of information gathered by national spy agencies.

Financial Times

Reuters

INTERNATIONAL

Trump defends need for H-1B visas

President Donald Trump has defended the H1-B skilled worker visa program in an interview with Fox News in which he said the United States doesn’t have workers with “certain talents” to fill jobs needed domestically. The channel's Laura Ingraham asked Trump whether his administration would reduce H1-B visas amid concerns it would depress wages for American workers. Trump said: “I agree - but you also do have to bring in talent.” When Ingraham responded: “We have plenty of talented people here,” Trump replied, “No, you don’t, no you don’t . . . you don’t have certain talents, and people have to learn. You can’t take people off an unemployment line and say, ‘I’m going to put you into a factory where we’re going to make missiles.’” In September, the White House imposed a $100,000 one-time fee on H1-B visas, in a move that marked a win for immigration hard-liners on Capitol Hill, NBC News notes

Cambodian workers' stay in Thailand denied

The Interior Ministry of Thailand has rejected a resolution from the previous cabinet that would have allowed Cambodian workers to temporarily overstay in the country. The decision follows a cabinet meeting led by acting Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai which aimed to address labour shortages after many Cambodians returned home due to border clashes. According to Government House spokesperson Ms Trisulee, allowing unverified workers to remain could threaten national security and lead to illegal migration issues. Before the clashes, over 520,000 Cambodians were employed in Thailand, but only about 100,000 remain now.

Bangkok Post

OTHER

EU to invest greener fuels for air, sea transport

The European Union's executive arm, the European Commission, has announced plans for a major investment in green fuels in the aviation and maritime sectors. The Commission estimates that around 20 million metric tons of alternative fuels such as biofuel will be required by 2035 to meet green targets in those two sectors, which will require an extra investment of around €100bn. The latest proposals will provide an additional €3bn worth of funding. "The package is about strengthening Europe's competitiveness while moving decisively towards a net-zero future," said Apostolos Tzitzikostas, commissioner for sustainable transport and tourism.

Euronews

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