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European Edition
10th January 2025
 
THE HOT STORY
Slovenia's unemployment hits record low
In December, Slovenia recorded its lowest unemployment figures since 1990, with 47,038 registered job seekers, a 3% increase from November but a 2.7% decrease from the previous year. Greta Metka Barbo Škerbinc, director of the Employment Service, said: "Very high employment and the lowest unemployment rate in the history of independent Slovenia were recorded in 2024." The average monthly unemployment for the past year was 45,982, down 5.6% from 2023. Despite a rise in job seekers, the number of reported vacancies fell by 3.9% to 157,384. The share of foreign workers in Slovenia's active workforce has also increased significantly, now comprising 15.4% of the total. In 2024, the registered unemployment rate stood at 4.6%, reflecting ongoing challenges in specific sectors like education and social care.
REMUNERATION
Germany's salary landscape unveiled
According to the Stepstone Gehaltsreport (Salary Report) 2025, full-time employees in Germany earn a median gross salary of approximately €45,800 annually. This figure contrasts with the average gross salary of €52,300, which is skewed by high outlier salaries. The report highlights a gender pay gap of 12.40%, with women earning a median of €42,100 and men €48,000. Despite economic challenges, satisfaction with salaries has increased slightly, with 33.6% of respondents expressing satisfaction in 2024, up from 31.7% in 2023. However, a significant portion remains dissatisfied, with 46.5% reporting dissatisfaction. The report indicates that "Germans' satisfaction with their salary has actually risen slightly compared to the previous year."
HIRING
Blokker employees swiftly find new jobs
Following the bankruptcy of Blokker, a retail chain with a 128-year history, most of its employees have successfully secured new jobs. According to Frank Eskes, a labour market expert at the Dutch benefits agency UWV, only 238 out of over 3,500 former employees have applied for unemployment benefits, which he described as “an exceptionally low number.” The tight labour market has made it easier for these workers to find new roles, with many opportunities available in various sectors, including hospitality and healthcare. Eskes noted: “Employees from stores like Blokker can often find work in hospitality, as caregiving assistants, or as commercial sales representatives.” Despite the challenges faced by the retail sector, the swift re-employment of Blokker's staff highlights the resilience of the workforce.
WORKFORCE
Pharmacy assistants across the Netherlands strike for pay rise
Pharmacy assistants across the Netherlands are set to strike again today, impacting around 2,000 pharmacies. This action follows their first national strike in November, as they demand a 6% pay increase and a minimum wage of €16 per hour. The assistants are also advocating for compensation for work performed before opening hours. As they put it: "We want our pay to reflect the work we do." While some pharmacies will remain open for emergency prescriptions, the strike highlights ongoing tensions regarding fair compensation in the sector.
STRATEGY
Local businesses support probation initiative
Major UK businesses, including Greggs, Iceland, and Greene King, are supporting a Government initiative to help offenders on probation secure stable employment. Led by Lord Timpson, the prisons minister, the scheme aims to enhance the probation service's efforts by establishing employment councils across 11 regions in England and Wales. These councils will facilitate collaboration between local businesses, prisons, and probation officers, with the Department for Work and Pensions assisting in connecting offenders to job centres. Lord Timpson said: "Getting former offenders into stable work is a sure way of cutting crime and making our streets safer," highlighting the initiative's dual benefits for society and the individuals involved.
LEGAL
Vacancies hinder Luxembourg's justice system progress
Martine Solovieff, Luxembourg's outgoing attorney general, highlighted a significant backlog in the judiciary, with nearly 2,880 prosecutions currently stalled due to a lack of resources. In her final address, she said: “Since we have a lack of people, since we have a lack of investigators, we can only really investigate and instruct the important or major cases.” The shortage of judges and space has hampered the fight against crime, with over 30 magistrate positions remaining unfilled. Justice Minister Elisabeth Margue mentioned that potential legislative amendments are being considered to expedite investigations, alongside plans for a new legal quarter to alleviate the current capacity issues. Staff numbers in the judiciary have increased by almost 15% from 2019 to 2022, yet the challenges persist.
REMOTE WORKING
Employers tighten grip on remote work
Flexible working arrangements are being curtailed by several large employers as they enforce stricter office attendance policies. A survey in September of 150 financial services companies by KPMG found that bosses were considering a range of methods to track attendance in the office, with some companies saying they would consider using monitoring devices to ensure employees were at work. As firms navigate these changes, the balance between office presence and employee satisfaction remains a critical issue. Employment lawyer David Palmer notes that while companies can mandate office attendance, they must consider reasonable adjustments for employees with disabilities. 
TECHNOLOGY
AI reshapes the job landscape
According to a report by the World Economic Forum, millions of jobs will be lost globally by 2030 due to the rise of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and robots, although new technology-related jobs will also emerge. The research, which involved the University of Amsterdam, predicts that one-third of work will still be performed by humans, while another third will be a collaboration between humans and technology. The study highlights that many employees, particularly in roles like secretaries and cashiers, will find their skills outdated. It states: “11% of the workforce will not receive the necessary training and will lose their jobs.” The new roles created will focus on technology, including self-driving cars and self-learning machines.
CULTURE
Workers flock to Netherlands ... then flee
New data from the national statistics agency CBS reveals that approximately 60% of Europeans and 70% of non-EU workers in the Netherlands depart within five years of their arrival. The trend raises questions about the sustainability of the Dutch job market, as many foreign workers seem to struggle to settle. The report highlights a significant turnover, indicating that "the Netherlands may not be the long-term destination many expect."
INTERNATIONAL
Chinese firms seek global foothold
As Chinese companies venture into emerging markets, they face challenges in adapting to local needs and building infrastructure. William Hong, a businessman from Dongguan, emphasises the need for a shift in mindset, stating: “We need to change our thinking and bring an ‘altruistic' approach to foreign trade.” Many small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are learning that success abroad requires integration into local ecosystems, often sacrificing profits to establish trust. The China Europe International Business School (CEIBS) highlights the importance of adopting Japan's “produce-where-you-sell” model. With nearly 90% of Chinese enterprises planning to expand globally, the journey is fraught with obstacles, as potential partners remain cautious about Chinese investments. Hong concludes: “We must downplay ourselves to empower local businesses. This is how we can establish deep roots overseas.”
Robots threatening American jobs
U.S. labour unions representing different sectors are pressing for contract provisions to retain jobs and compensate displaced workers in the event of automation as more corporations experiment with next-generation robotics.
AND FINALLY...
EU is looking for Maltese translators
The European Union is actively recruiting Maltese translators, with 119 positions available as announced by the European Personnel Selection Office. The selection process, known as "concours," involves rigorous testing in abstract reasoning, language comprehension, and translation skills. Successful candidates will be placed on a reserve list for indefinite recruitment by EU institutions in Brussels or Luxembourg. David Schembri, the local representative for the Directorate-General for Translation, highlighted the challenges in attracting candidates, noting: "Sometimes, there's no going around the fact that Malta is the EU's smallest population." The competition is open to those with a university degree and proficiency in Maltese, English, or French, along with a third EU language.
 


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