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European Edition
3rd June 2026
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THE HOT STORY

Biometric data ban: Turkish employers face new rules

Turkey's Personal Data Protection Authority (KVKK) has ruled that employers cannot use biometric data for monitoring employee attendance. The decision, published in the Official Gazette, states that processing biometric data, even with consent, violates personal data protection laws. The KVKK highlighted that attendance systems relying on biometric identifiers, such as fingerprints and facial recognition, are incompatible with legal principles. Instead, employers should adopt less intrusive methods like password-protected cards or manual registration. The board emphasised the need for compliance with the Law on the Protection of Personal Data.
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TECH & TOOLS

67% of HR leaders are already using AI. Is your team one of them?

AI has crossed the tipping point in HR — and the data proves it. A new global survey of over 1,000 HR and people operations leaders reveals that two-thirds of teams have already reached intermediate or advanced AI adoption. The benefits are real: 56% say AI has cut onboarding time, 50% report lower operating costs, and high-growth organisations are twice as likely to call AI adoption a top priority. The teams that aren't moving fast risk being left behind.

Download the free report to see exactly where HR leaders are investing in AI — and how you can do the same.

Download the free report

 
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REMUNERATION

New law targets underpayment of workers in Holland

The Dutch government is introducing a law to combat underpayment of workers, particularly protecting migrant employees. This legislation shifts the burden of proof to employers, requiring them to demonstrate that they have paid fair wages. If they fail, they must retroactively compensate underpaid workers, potentially up to €14,000. The Labour Inspectorate has noted that many migrant workers earn below the minimum wage due to employers' poor record-keeping. This law follows recommendations from the Roemer Committee, aimed at addressing the exploitation of migrant workers in the Netherlands.

Slovakia to lift living wage

Slovakia will increase the living minimum by 3.9% from 1 July, lifting it from €284.13 to €295.22 a month. The change, driven by higher costs for low-income households, will affect social benefits, tax allowances and income tax thresholds. Tax effects will begin in January 2027. The personal tax allowance will rise to €6,199.62, reducing tax for eligible taxpayers by about €44. Higher income thresholds will also expand the 19% band and raise limits for the 25%, 30% and 35% tax rates.

Nvidia CEO advocates for higher wages

Jensen Huang, CEO of Nvidia, stated that companies should pay their workers "as much as possible". His comments came during a news conference in Taipei, where he addressed the recent Samsung Electronics union agreement that averted a strike. Huang noted that while he pays his employees well, he does not claim to have all the answers. The AI boom has significantly increased Nvidia's stock value, making many employees wealthy. Huang is set to visit South Korea to discuss robotics and AI with local firms, while Nvidia continues to expand its investments in Taiwan.
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WORKFORCE

Portugal braces for major strike

Portugal will experience a general strike begining today that will impact multiple sectors, including public transport and services. Train services will operate at 30% capacity, with CP – Comboios de Portugal providing limited operations. In Lisbon, bus services will be restricted to certain routes, while Metro services will be suspended. Air traffic will also face disruptions, with TAP managing 79 flights and contacting affected passengers. Public services, particularly hospitals and schools, will see varying levels of disruption, as participation in the strike remains uncertain. "Appointments that cannot be rescheduled within eight days may not be cancelled," a spokesperson noted.

AIMA strike exposes staffing pressures

Portugal’s Secretary of State for Immigration acknowledged some concerns behind AIMA workers’ four-day strike but rejected a dedicated career path. Rui Armindo Freitas, Deputy Secretary of State for the Presidency and Immigration, said the government wants “a stronger AIMA that is a benchmark service in the Portuguese administration.” He said staffing has risen 10%, further recruitment is planned, and IT investment is underway. The union says workers are exhausted, offices lack basic conditions, and new staff need better training.

Malaga jobs hit record high

Malaga province added 10,002 Social Security contributors in May, reaching a record 771,294 registered workers after three months of strong gains. The province accounted for more than half of Andalucía’s new jobs in May and ranked fifth nationally for absolute job creation. Unemployment fell by 2,208 to 102,207, the lowest level since 2008, though still above the 100,000 target. Services drove most of the decline, while 50,238 contracts were signed, split almost evenly between permanent and temporary roles.

Danish crown to cut 800 jobs

Danish Crown, the Danish meat group, will implement a new organisational structure that will lead to a reduction of 800 employees over the next two to three years.
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TRAINING & DEVELOPMENT

Romania tackles skills shortage head-on

The Romanian Business Leaders (RBL) Foundation has partnered with Basetolearn - Învață cu sens to address Romania's skills shortage. This initiative aims to transform the expertise of business leaders into training programmes for professionals. OECD data reveals that nearly 40% of employees work outside their specialisation, highlighting workforce challenges. The partnership will develop courses in areas like B2B sales and finance, including the C-Level Academy for executive education. Alexandru Dincovici, Managing Director of RBL, said: "The shortage of key skills is a reality that is holding us back." Ten percent of course revenues will support RBL projects.
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REMOTE WORKING

Remote work fuels youth unemployment surge

Research from the Federal Reserve Bank of New York reveals that the rise of remote work accounts for 64% of the increase in youth unemployment. The unemployment rate for young college graduates rose to 5.6% in March 2026, up from 3.6% in March 2019. The economists noted: "Employers may not want to hire fresh graduates onto distributed teams because it is more difficult to teach them the requisite skills from afar." The study highlights that while artificial intelligence's impact on entry-level jobs is often discussed, remote work has likely had a more significant effect. The authors emphasized that remote work has weakened incentives to hire young workers by impeding on-the-job training, leading to fewer inexperienced hires during the pandemic. They warned that "the high unemployment rates of young college graduates are particularly concerning because early-career experiences can have lasting consequences."

Istanbul cafes clamp down on remote workers

Cafes in Istanbul are implementing restrictions on remote workers and freelancers who occupy tables for extended periods. Many venues have banned laptop use on weekends to maximise revenue during peak hours. Business owners argue that these customers do not generate sufficient income to cover rising operational costs. Some cafes are also limiting Wi-Fi access and power outlet usage. Lawyer Özlem Şen stated: "Businesses have the right to determine the conditions under which they provide services," highlighting that there are no legal provisions against laptop use in cafes.
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HIRING

AI deepfake trickster lands tech job

Jake Moore, a cybersecurity expert, used AI to create two personas, including an Asian woman named Jackie Morris, to secure a tech job. He beat 261 applicants for a £30,000 role as a customer acquisition specialist. Moore, who has a background in cybercrime, spent five months planning his deepfake strategy, using software to alter his voice and appearance. He demonstrated how easily AI-generated identities can deceive hiring processes at Infosecurity Europe, stating: "Don't take things at face value." His findings highlight vulnerabilities in remote hiring security.
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CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

ING Bank Romania welcomes new COO

ING Bank Romania has appointed Tuğçe Bora Kiliç as Chief Operations Officer (COO), effective June 1, 2026. She succeeds Maria Cristina Matei, who served as COO for 12 years and will now lead Data and Analytics at ING Hubs Romania. Kiliç previously held the COO position at ING Bank Turkey.
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LEADERSHIP

Leaders to watch: Celebrating Romania's finest

Business Review hosted its third edition of Leaders to Watch, recognising 25 influential executives shaping Romania's business landscape. The event, held at CARO Hotel Bucharest, celebrated leaders from various sectors, including retail and technology. Awards were presented by Editor-in-Chief Anda Sebeși, highlighting values such as resilience and innovation. Răzvan Lăzărescu, General Manager of CARO Hotel, opened the event, emphasising the importance of leadership in fostering hope. Awardees included Ioanna Christopoulou of L'Oréal România, who said: "True leadership is not about being perfect, but about being real, authentic, and close to our people."
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AND FINALLY...

Carrymen: the shopping assistants you need

CarryMen, a new start-up in Delhi, offers shopping assistants to help customers navigate crowded markets. Founded by Ritu Kandari Srivastava and Kanishka Malhotra, the service provides assistance for up to four hours, starting at 79 rupees. While many customers appreciate the convenience, critics argue it reflects entitlement among the affluent. Ritu stated: "We are just providing assistance to those who have difficulty navigating the streets." The service has gained traction, with plans for expansion to other markets in India.
 
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