Human Times

European Edition

19th February 2026

THE HOT STORY

German union takes legal action against Tesla factory manager

German labour union IG Metall has filed a defamation complaint against Tesla's factory manager in the Berlin area, accusing him of spreading false allegations amid deteriorating relations with the automaker. The union is also pursuing a temporary injunction to prevent further claims from the manager, who had previously filed a criminal complaint against an IG Metall member for allegedly recording a works council meeting without consent. Union representative Jan Otto emphasised that while legal disputes are not preferred, they are necessary to defend workers' rights against Tesla's aggressive stance on union activities.

Reuters

CORPORATE

European airlines call for scrapping of Qatar deal after top official’s dismissal

European airlines have called on the European Commission to scrap an aviation deal with Qatar after the senior EU official who had overseen the negotiations was dismissed over corruption allegations. Henrik Hololei, the European Commission’s former director general for transport, was fired after an internal investigation found he had accepted free flights. The airline lobby ENAA, the European Transport Workers’ Federation and the European Cockpit Association pilots' union have all urged the deal to be scrapped.

TECHNOLOGY

Accenture combats AI refuseniks by linking promotions to log-ins

Dublin-headquartered consulting firm Accenture has begun monitoring staff use of its AI tools as part of how it decides top-level promotions, as consultancies push reluctant employees to adopt the technology.

Financial Times

WORKFORCE

Plan to increase UK youth minimum wage could be delayed

The UK government is considering slowing down plans to pay adults of all ages the same minimum wage. Labour committed in its election manifesto to remove "discretionary age bands" and increase the wages of 18 to 20-year-olds so they are paid the same as those over 21. But government sources have confirmed that ministers are weighing a delay in that rise, although they are unlikely to reverse the commitment entirely. Some business leaders say minimum wage increases are making it too expensive for them to hire young people - this week it was reported that the jobless rate among young people was at its worst level for more than a decade. But unions say it is unfair that the young can be paid less for doing the same job as older people.

Sky News

BBC News

The Guardian

Foreign workers face violence in Croatia

Foreign workers in Croatia face increasing violence and exploitation. Many report being attacked while working, with some suffering serious injuries. The country, which is experiencing a significant labour shortage, has witnessed a rise in foreign workers, particularly from Asia. Last year, four out of 10 work and residency permits were issued to Nepalis, Filipinos, Indians and Bangladeshis, mostly in the tourism, catering and construction industries. Public attitudes are hardening, with over 60% of Croatians expressing dissatisfaction with the presence of these workers.

France 24

LEGAL

Lloyds to investigate its use of staff banking data in pay talks

Lloyds Banking Group CEO Charlie Nunn has acknowledged there have been concerns over the company's use of information from staff bank accounts as part of pay negotiations and announced an internal review. Nunn said "we have definitely listened" after the UK's biggest lender was criticised for comparing employees' spending habits to the wider public to show if they weathered the cost-of-living crisis better. The group was found to have looked at the data of staff who banked with Lloyds, along with the saving rates and salary increases of its lowest paid workers, and assessed them against its customers.

BBC News

The Guardian

The Times

VW faces Dieselgate trial in Paris

Volkswagen is scheduled for a criminal trial related to the “dieselgate” emissions test-cheating scandal that hit the automotive sector a decade ago. The German automaker will be faced with claims of deceit “concerning goods that endanger human and animal health,” a source close to the litigation said. The Paris court is expected to discuss trial dates in December.

Bloomberg

REGULATION

Ireland probes X over AI abuse claims

Ireland's Data Protection Commission (DPC) has launched a large-scale inquiry into X regarding the publication of alleged child sexual abuse material. The investigation follows reports that the Grok AI tool generated and disseminated such content. The DPC will assess whether X has adhered to GDPR obligations concerning the processing of personal data, particularly that involving children. Deputy Commissioner Graham Doyle said: "The DPC has been engaging with XIUC since media reports first emerged . . . concerning the alleged ability of X users to prompt the @Grok account on X to generate sexualised images of real people, including children."

Daily Mail

INTERNATIONAL

KPMG partner fined for AI cheating

A partner at KPMG Australia has been fined A$10,000 (US$7,000) for using artificial intelligence to cheat on an internal training exam on AI. The unnamed partner uploaded training materials to an AI platform to answer questions, violating company policy. Over two dozen KPMG Australia staff have been caught using AI tools to cheat on internal exams since July, according to the firm. Andrew Yates, chief executive of KPMG Australia, said: "Like most organisations, we have been grappling with the role and use of AI as it relates to internal training and testing. It's a very hard thing to get on top of given how quickly society has embraced it."

Financial Times

The Guardian

The Times

General strike to protest labour reforms starts in Argentina

Argentina is facing a general strike by workers protesting a labour reform bill pushed by President Javier Milei - the fourth general strike of his term - and which is set to be debated in parliament. The country's main trade union called the strike, which is set to last 24 hours. The contested reforms would make it easier to hire and fire workers, and it would also reduce severance pay, limit the right to strike, increase work hours and restrict holiday provisions.

France 24

Sanofi to increase Hyderabad workforce to over 4,500 employees

Sanofi is to expand its global capability centre (GCC) in the southern Indian city of Hyderabad, and increase its workforce there to more than 4,500 employees from over 2,600 people currently. The French drugmaker said that the expansion would be supported by a "multi-hundred-million" investment, but it did not specify a timeframe. India hosts more than 1,700 GCCs, employing over 1.9 million professionals, according to real estate consultancy Anarock.

Reuters

OTHER

Chinese filial respect service ignites controversy

A Chinese mobile app called UU Paotui has cancelled a controversial service which enabled users to hire proxies to bow to elderly relatives during Lunar New Year visits. The service was intended to help those unable to visit family to maintain traditional customs. "Filial piety should not be commoditised," one user remarked. Following the backlash, UU Paotui said: "After careful consideration, we have voluntarily removed the services that caused controversy." The app continues to offer other services, including a New Year greeter option.

U.S. News

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