Jordan Cowman-Baker & McKenzie Global Employment Law Alert

Hello-

This email contains our August 2001 Global Employment Law Alert, which I
thought you might find of interest.

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Employer, which summarizes cutting-edge developments in labor and employment
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If you have any questions or need further information, please contact me.

Jordan W. Cowman
Board Certified, Labor & Employment Law
Texas Board of Legal Specialization
Baker & McKenzie
2001 Ross Avenue, Suite 2300
Dallas, Texas 75201
214/978-3015
214/978-3099 fax
jordan.w.cowman@bakernet <mailto:jordan.w.cowman@bakernet.com< .com

<http:\\www.bakernet.com\gel<

Baker & McKenzie

<http://www.bmck.com/gel/current.asp?submitbtn=Show+Alerts&area=calert<
GLOBAL EMPLOYMENT LAW ALERT
Baker Events Global Asia Pacific Europe & CIS Africa/Middle East
South America North America

Baker_EventsBaker Events top
VISIT OUR GLOBAL EMPLOYMENT LAW ALERT WEBSITE: To access our Alert program,
including current and past editions of the GEL Alert, please visit our
dedicated website at http://www.bakernet.com/gel Readers can search the
current GEL Alert by category, or access our complete archive search engine
to review past GEL Alerts by topic, country, region, or date. In addition,
readers can search our Knowledge Base (K-Base) for surveys, resources, and
articles by members of our Global Labour, Employment & Employee Benefits
Practice Group. Alert Date: 8/1/01

NEW PUBLICATION SCHEDULE: Based on feedback of our readership, the GEL Alert
is now disseminated twice per month (on the 1st and 15th day of each month).
This schedule will ensure that our readership receives the most timely and
up-to-date information possible on breaking developments. Our GEL Alert also
features a new section on "Highlights," so that readers can quickly scan the
Alert for items of special interest. Alert Date: 8/1/01

** - GEL ALERT HIGHLIGHTS: Employee Benefits: Australian court orders share
options for dot.com employees; Argentina's new Executive Order regarding
employee benefits. Employment Discrimination: Norway identifies unequal pay
problems for female workers. Immigration: German reform of immigration
regulations; Morocco and Spain establish new migrant quota. Employment
Litigation: Austria secures dismissal of Holocaust-era slave labour
litigation; Philippines adopts new rules for electronic evidence in labour
proceedings. Labour Abuses: Mozambique is warned regarding risks of abusive
child labour; protests over bonded labour in Nepal. Legislation: Indonesian
minimum wage laws; Mexico approves Indian rights bill; Russia adopts new
Labour Code; United Kingdom reforms Employment Tribunal system. Pensions:
Argentina enacts new Executive Decree regarding pension benefits; Web-based
pension information now available to employees in India. Privacy:
Netherlands adopts new regulation on data privacy; Philippines addresses
harassment through the Internet. Unions: Air France develops fundamental
rights charters with Union; Coca-Cola sued over alleged use of paramilitary
forces to threaten unions in Columbia. Wrongful Termination: Multimillion
dollar class action over withheld wages from Mexican farm workers;
Smoke-sensitive employee may proceed with retaliation claim again U.S.-based
employer. Alert Date: 8/1/01

** - BAKER EVENTS: Chicago: Seminar entitled " How to Hire, Manage,
Compensation And Downsize Overseas <http://www.bakernet.com/Practice
Areas/uscelpg/Sep13/seminar.asp< Employees," September 13, 2001, Chicago,
Illinois. For more information, please contact
<mailto:deborah.black@bakernet.com< deborah.black@bakernet.com Alert Date:
8/1/01

GlobalGlobal top
** - ILO DECLARES THAT DECENT WORK IS A COMMON GOAL OF YOUTH AND TRADE
UNIONS: On July 13, 2001, the International Labour Organisation (ILO)
released a report addressing concerns of young people in the workforce and
the need for labour groups to adopt their strategies, language, and
structures to make them more "youth friendly." See " InFocus Programme
<http://www.ilo.org/public/english/dialogue/actrav/new/press.htm<; ."
<mailto:guenther.heckelmann@bakernet.com< guenther.heckelmann@bakernet.com
or <mailto:stewart.d.saxe@bakernet.com< stewart.d.saxe@bakernet.com Alert
Date: 8/1/01

** - LABOUR GROUPS SUGGEST A NEW VISION IS NEEDED FOR THE GLOBAL ECONOMY: On
July 19, 2001, trade union leaders from the G-8 countries joined leaders
from underdeveloped countries at a meeting with the host of the Genoa
Summit, Italian Prime Minister, Silvio Berlusconi. At the meeting, the
unions demanded a new vision and policy action from world leaders to restore
economic and employment growth to the global economy. See " New Vision For
Global Economy
<http://www.icftu.org/dispalydocument.asp?Language=EN&;Index=991213108< ."
<mailto:william.r.watson@bakernet.com< william.r.watson@bakernet.com or
jorge.de.regil@bakernet.com <mailto:jorge.de.regil@bakernet.com< Alert
Date: 8/1/01

** - EUROPEAN COMMISSION ISSUES GREEN PAPER ON FRAMEWORK FOR CORPORATE
SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY: On July 18, 2001, the European Commission released a
Green Paper on promoting a framework for corporate social responsibility by
employers. With this Green Paper, the European Commission aims to launch a
wide debate on how the European Union can promote corporate responsibility
at both the European and international level. It also seeks to encourage the
development of innovative practices, bring greater transparency, and
increase the reliability of evaluation and validation. See " EC Green Paper
<http://www.bmck.com/gel/articles/CSR%20Green%20Paper.doc< ."
<mailto:gerald.l.maatman@bakernet.com< gerald.l.maatman@bakernet.com or
<mailto:james.r.cameron@bakernet.com< james.r.cameron@bakernet.com Alert
Date: 8/1/01

** - TRADE UNIONS DECLARE GLOBAL DAY OF ACTION FOR WTO MINISTERIAL
CONFERENCE: Trade union leaders from around the world, meeting in a special
session of the ICFTU Steering Committee held in conjunction with the G-8
Summit in Genoa, decided to mark the launch of the next Ministerial
Conference of the World Trade Organisation (WTO) in Doha, Qatar by staging a
Global Unions' Day of Action by the Workplaces of the World. The Day of
Action will take place on November 9, 2001, the opening day of the WTO
Conference. The Day of Action will be coordinated at global level and
delivered at a local level, taking the form of diverse actions to be
determined in individual countries ranging from stoppages and demonstrations
to workplace discussions, public meetings, and high-profile media
activities. See " Global Day Of Action
<http://www.icftu.org/displaydocument.asp?Language=EN&;Index=991213142< ."
<mailto:Brian.s.arbetter@bakernet.com< brian.s.arbetter@bakernet.com or
<mailto:guenther.hecklemann@bakernet.com< guenther.hecklemann@bakernet.com
Alert Date: 8/1/01

** - McDONALD'S ESTABLISHES E-LEARNING SYSTEMS FOR GLOBAL WORKFORCE: On July
19, 2001, McDonald's Corporation, in conjunction with DigitalThink, Inc.,
announced the launch of an e-learning pilot program for its worldwide
workforce of 1.5 million employees. The program will complement McDonald's
existing Worldwide Training, Learning, and Development cirriculum. The
system will be delivered initially in five different languages, and the
content will address orientation, standards of quality, food safety, and
restaurant operations. See " McDonald's E-Learning Systems
<http://www.digitalthink.com/news/pressroom/releases2001/07192001.html<; ."
<mailto:gerald.l.maatman@bakernet.com< gerald.l.maatman@bakernet.com or
<mailto:craig.s.annunziata@bakernet.com< craig.s.annunziata@bakernet.com
Alert Date: 8/1/01

** - G-8 COUNTRIES TO SET UP PLAN TO BRIDGE DIGITAL DIVIDE WITH POOR: On
July 20, 2001, the G-8 nations endorsed the Digital Opportunity Task Force,
set up at last year's G-8 summit in Japan, to bridge the digital divide with
the world's poorest countries. Plans will focus on improving connectivity
and lowering costs, helping establish national Internet strategies, and
deploying information technology in health care, development aid, and
fostering entrepreneurship with start-ups and established businesses and
employers. See " G-8 Digital Plan
<http://www.siliconvalley.com/docs/news/tech/004685.htm<; ."
<mailto:michael.j.wagner@bakernet.com< michael.j.wagner@bakernet.com or
<mailto:alex.valls@bakernet.com< alex.valls@bakernet.com Alert Date:
8/1/01

** - HUMAN RIGHTS ORGANISATIONS GET CONNECTED ON THE INTERNET: A group of
multinational hackers is developing software called "Peekabooty" which
allows human rights activists to gain access to censored web sites that are
blocked or administered by Asian and Middle East governments. The software
will enable activists to monitor alleged human rights abuses by governments
and multinational corporations. See " Human Rights Software
<http://register.scmp.com/loginscmp.asp?refpage=http%3A//technology.scmp.com
/internet/ZZZL7WXN4PC.html< ." <mailto:gerald.l.maatman@bakernet.com<
gerald.lmaatman@bakernet.com or <mailto:james.r.cameron@bakernet.com<
james.r.cameron@bakernet.com Alert Date: 8/1/01

** - MORE BOSSES KEEP TABS ON TELECOMMUTERS: The American Management
Association has reported recently nearly 80% of large multinational
companies record and review employee communications. As technology makes
monitoring easier, bosses are watching where telecommuters and business
travelers go on-line, what they say in their e-mail, and how often they type
on their keyboard. See " Worker Surveillance Increases
<http://www.newsbytes.com/news/01/168284.html<; ."
<mailto:andrew.j.boling@bakernet.com< andrew.j.boling@bakernet.com or
<mailto:michael.j.wagner@bakernet.com< michael.j.wagner@bakernet.com Alert
Date: 8/1/01

** - PLAN OF ACTION FOR TRADE UNIONS: The International Confederation of
Free Trade Unions recently released a plan of action outlining the trade
unions' fight against racial discrimination, xenophobia, and related
intolerance. See " Plan of Action
<http://www.icftu.org/displaydocument.asp?Language=EN&;Index=991213176< ."
<mailto:guenther.heckelmann@bakernet.com< guenther.heckelmann@bakernet.com
or <mailto:cynthia.l.jackson@bakernet.com< cynthia.l.jackson@bakernet.com
Alert Date: 8/1/01

Asia_PacificAsia Pacific top
AU - INCOME THRESHOLD FOR UNFAIR DISMISSAL CLAIMS GOES UP: The remuneration
cap for employees making unfair dismissal claims under the Workplace
Relations Act 1996 (Cth) increased effective July 1, 2001. The cap is now
set at a total remuneration level of AU$75,200 per annum and accordingly the
maximum compensation available under the legislation will now be capped at
AU$37,600 (representing six months remuneration). See " Annual
<nhttp://www.dewrsb.gov.au/workplaceRelations/legislation/wrAct/IndexationRa
te2001.pdf< Remuneration Compensation Limits."
<mailto:paul.brown@bakernet.com< paul.brown@bakernet.com or
<mailto:mary.maher@bakernet.com< mary.maher@bakernet.com Alert Date:
8/1/01

AUdotcom - AUSTRALIAN COURT ORDERS DOT COM TO MAKE SHARE OPTIONS AVAILABLE:
The New South Wales Industrial Relations Commission (IRC) has ordered
internet giant Yahoo! to make available share options and boost the notice
period given to a dismissed executive. The former employee won more than
AU$400,000 after the IRC found that his contract was unfair and the period
of notice of termination provided to the executive unreasonable. The IRC
rewrote the salesperson's contract to give him access to options that vested
in January and February of 1999 when the share price was significantly
higher than the current price. See " Shane Mitchell-Calvert v Yahoo! Inc.
<http://www.agd.nsw.gov.au/ircjudgments/2001nswirc.nsf/d1efd3b3c2f68e05ca256
736001f37be/432be744767943b4ca256a6a00155435?OpenDocument< "
<mailto:spiro.mellos@bakernet.com< spiro.mellos@bakernet.com or
<mailto:brian.jebb@bakernet.com< brian.jebb@bakernet.com Alert Date:
8/1/01

AU - COURT DENIES PRIORITY TO SOME SEVERANCE PAYOUTS IN REDUNDANCY: A recent
decision of the New South Wales Supreme Court could prevent employees of
insolvent companies being paid a severance payment on redundancy in priority
to ordinary unsecured creditors. The Court found that any order for
severance payments made after a worker's employment was terminated would not
qualify as a "priority payment" under the Corporations Law which gives
priority to severance payments over other unsecured debts when a company is
being wound up. The Court found that claims and debts must exist at the
termination of employment to be entitled to priority. See: " Madden v
Fisher.
<http://www.agd.nsw.gov.au/scjudgments/2001nswsc.nsf/66950614059df523ca25673
900081e8e/f0777f71cae4e7afca256a7800149126?OpenDocument< "
<mailto:paul.brown@bakernet.com< paul.brown@bakernet.com or
<mailto:jackie.natsopoulos@bakernet.com< jackie.natsopoulos@bakernet.com
Alert Date: 8/1/01

AU - AUSTRALIAN UNIONS REBUILDING THEIR IMAGE: A recent survey commissioned
by the New South Wales Labour Council, the main trade union body, and
conducted by the Australian Centre for Industrial Relations Research and
Training, has found what unions are claiming is a significant erosion in
anti-union attitudes. The proportion of respondents supporting the notion
that Australia would be better off without unions has fallen from 25% in
1996 to 14% in 2001. See " Survey Shows Majority Support For Unions
<http://workers.labor.net.au/103/news1_survey.html< ."
<mailto:paul.brown@bakernet.com< paul.brown@bakernet.com or
<mailto:mary.maher@bakernet.com< mary.maher@bakernet.com Alert Date:
8/1/01

AU - LOW WAGES AND HIGH PRODUCTIVITY ARE THE KEY TO AUSTRALIA'S LOW
INFLATION: A recent paper published by the Reserve Bank of Australia says
that decentralization of wage fixing and productivity growth in the 1990's
have been key elements in Australia's current low inflation economic
environment. Key influences in this environment are the end of comparative
wage justice which required the preservation of pay relativities by
Industrial Tribunals. This has allowed high wage growth areas to remain
isolated. See " Changes In The Determinants Of Inflation In Australia
<http://www.rba.gov.au/PublicationsAndResearch/RDP/RDP2001-02.html< ."
<mailto:spiro.mellos@bakernet.com< spiro.mellos@bakernet.com or
<mailto:brian.jebb@bakernet.com< brian.jebb@bakernet.com Alert Date:
8/1/01

AU - CONTROVERSIAL WORKERS COMPENSATION REFORMS: The New South Wales
Government recently enacted reforms aimed at reducing the government-run
workers' compensation system's mounting deficit and speeding up the payment
of claims. However, the reforms have faced concerted opposition from union
groups who have organized several strikes against the new laws which they
say will reduce workers pay-outs. As a result, a judicial inquiry into the
reforms has been commissioned which will stall the full implementation of
the law until its expected report on August 17, 2001. See " Workers'
<http://www.labor.net.au/news/1148.html<; Compensation Reform."
<mailto:paul.brown@bakernet.com< paul.brown@bakernet.com or
<mailto:chris.oliver@bakernet.com< chris.oliver@bakernet.com Alert Date:
8/1/01

AU - REPORT ENCOURAGES STRATEGIC DOWNSIZING: A recent Australian study of
industry restructuring has found that companies planning to downsize should
do so strategically and after consulting with employees or face the loss of
core skills and employee commitment. The study says downsizing in the 1990's
had mixed results, but where it was done as part of a strategic
re-organization to re-focus and improve a business, it has a much less
negative effect on employees. See " Downsizing In Australia
<http://www.ceda.com.au/Publications/010725Downsizing.htm<; ."
<mailto:paul.brown@bakernet.com< paul.brown@bakernet.com or
<mailto:sally.woodward@bakernet.com< sally.woodward@bakernet.com Alert
Date: 8/1/01

HK - HONG KONG IT SKILLS TASK FORCE ISSUES REPORT: The Task Force on IT
Manpower established to report IT manpower needs to the Hong Kong Government
has recently issued a draft of its findings and recommendations. The task
force suggested that Hong Kong should make it easier for overseas IT workers
to enter the country and set up IT-specific education in schools. See " IT
Task Force <http://www.newsbytes.com/news/01/167920.html<; ."
<mailto:andreas.lauffs@bakernet.com< andreas.lauffs@bakernet.com or
<mailto:daniel.chan@bakernet.com< daniel.chan@bakernet.com Alert Date:
8/1/01

IDminimum - LOCAL AND INTERNATIONAL MINIMUM WAGE LAWS CONFLICT: Existing
Indonesian law, Staatsblad 1925 No. 647, prohibits children under 14 years
old from working from 8 p.m. until 5 a.m. This law generally has been
interpreted to mean that children under 14 years old can work outside those
hours. However, in 1999, Indonesia ratified ILO Convention No. 138 of 1973
on the Minimum Age for Admission to Employment, which stipulates that the
minimum age for child labour is 15 years old. The convention was ratified by
local law No. 20 of 1999 and therefore supercedes law 647 and as such the
minimum working age in Indonesia is 15 and not 14 years of age. See "
Indonesia Wage Laws <http://www.bmck.com/gel/articles/Indonesia - Minimum
Working Age.doc< ." <mailto:narendra.acharya@bakernet.com<
narendra.acharya@bakernet.com or <mailto:duane.j.gingerich@bakernet.com<
duane.j.gingerich@bakernet.com Alert Date: 8/1/01

INinformation - WEB-BASED EMPLOYEE BENEFITS PROGRAM: On July 17, 2001,
India-based Satyam Computer Services Ltd. announced that it entered into an
agreement with US-based Healthaxis Inc to become Healthaxis' primary
integration partner for deploying Insur-Enroll solutions. Insur-Enroll
provides a 24x7 web-based self-service environment for members and
employees. The solution supports an unlimited range of benefit plans such as
medical, dental, life, vision, and dependent care flexible spending
accounts. See " Internet-Based Benefits
<http://www.financialexpress.com/fe20010717/con4.html<; ."
<mailto:narendra.acharya@bakernet.com< narendra.acharya@bakernet.com or
<mailto:andrew.j.boling@bakernet.com< andrew.j.boling@bakernet.com Alert
Date: 8/1/01

JP - MATSUSHITA EYES EARLY RETIREMENT: On July 14, 2001, company officials
for Matsushita Electric Industrial Co. announced a voluntary early
retirement plan for employees. The plan as proposed marks a significant
departure from typical retirement plans in Japan. See " Matsushita Offers
Early Retirement
<http://www.japantimes.co.jp/cgi-bin/getarticle.pl5?nn20010715a9.htm< ."
<mailto:hideo.ohta@bakernet.com< hideo.ohta@bakernet.com or
<mailto:masatsugu.suzuki@bakernet.com< masatsugu.suzuki@bakernet.com Alert
Date: 8/1/01

KR - UMBRELLA LABOUR GROUP PROTESTS IN SEOUL: On July 22, 2001, about 12,000
members of the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions (KCTU) held a rally in
downtown Seoul to protest the government suppression of the umbrella labour
group. See " Labour Group Protests
<http://www.koreaherald.co.kr/SITE/data/html_dir/2001/07/23/200107230037.asp
< ." <mailto:nam.h.paik@bakernet.com< nam.h.paik@bakernet.com or
<mailto:hiroshi.kondo@bakernet.com< hiroshi.kondo@bakernet.com Alert Date:
8/1/01

NPbonded - BONDED LABOUR IN NEPAL: Anti-Slavery, an activist labour group,
recently released a briefing on the description of the situation of bonded
labour in Nepal and a model letter to send to the Minister of Home Affairs
of Nepal to object to these alleged practices. See " Bonded-Labour
<http://www.antislavery.org/takeaction.htm<; ."
<mailto:daniel.chan@bakernet.com< daniel.chan@bakernet.com or
<mailto:paul.tan@bakernet.com< paul.tan@bakernet.com Alert Date: 8/1/01

NZ - MANUFACTURERS AND UNIONS CLAIM FREE TRADE AGREEMENT WILL PUNISH LOCAL
INDUSTRY: On July 18, 2001, the New Zealand Government commenced
negotiations with Hong Kong for an agreement to promote a two-way trade in
goods and services between the countries. Both manufacturers and unions in
the clothing industry have expressed concern that any agreement will allow
Chinese clothing and shoes to enter the country avoiding the current 19%
tariff imposed on them. See " Agreement Will Punish Industry
<http://www.stuff.co.nz/inl/index/0,1008,867365a1934,FF.html<; ."
<mailto:paul.brown@bakernet.com< paul.brown@bakernet.com or
<mailto:kathleen.thornton@bakernet.com< kathleen.thornton@bakernet.com
Alert Date: 8/1/01

NZ - NEW ZEALAND UNION MEMBERSHIP INCREASES: A new survey has found that
union membership in New Zealand has increased for the first time in 15
years. The survey by Victoria University's industrial relations center found
that there were 319,000 union members in 2000, an increase of 16,100 over
the previous year. Commentators note that the new Employment Relations Act
appears to have contributed to an environment where workers feel better
about joining unions. See " More People Joining Unions
<http://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/businessstorydisplay.cfm?storyID=200043&;
thesection=business&thesubsection=general&thesecondsubsection=&thetickercode
< ." <mailto:paul.brown@bakernet.com< paul.brown@bakernet.com or
<mailto:kathleen.thornton@bakernet.com< kathleen.thornton@bakernet.com
Alert Date: 8/1/01

NZ - GOOD FAITH BARGAINING TEST CASE: A landmark test case of New Zealand's
new good faith bargaining laws was recently heard by the Employment
Relations Authority. The Authority has yet to rule on the case in which a
union alleged Independent Newspapers Ltd. and 10 subsidiary newspaper
companies had failed to bargain in good faith on a multi-employer collective
agreement. The union alleges it was stonewalled by the company which, it
claims, did not properly consider or negotiate the union's claim. See " Good
Faith Bargaining Test Case
<http://www.stuff.co.nz/inl/index/0,1008,852731a11,FF.html<; ."
<mailto:michael.michalandos@bakernet.com< michael.michalandos@bakernet.com
or <mailto:kathleen.thornton@bakernet.com< kathleen.thornton@bakernet.com
Alert Date: 8/1/01

NZ - NEW WEB SITE FOR EMPLOYERS IN NEW ZEALAND: The New Zealand Government
has recently developed a web site, targeted at overseas business people,
allowing access to immigration policies and procedures and links to other
relevant web sites for people moving or traveling to the country. See " New
<http://www.business-migrants.govt.nz/< Zealand Resource."
<mailto:paul.brown@bakernet.com< paul.brown@bakernet.com or
<mailto:elizabeth.ferrier@bakernet.com< elizabeth.ferrier@bakernet.com
Alert Date: 8/1/01

NZ - NEW ZEALND HACKER CONVICTED IN LANDMARK CASE: A landmark court case has
recently resulted in the conviction of a hacker who deleted thousands of
home pages from a server based in the United States. The impact of the case
on employer liability for employee Internet activity is a key to the
verdict. See " Hacker Convicted
<http://www.newsbytes.com/news/01/168118.html<; ."
<mailto:nicole.vanderhoek@bakernet.com< nicole.vanderhoek@bakernet.com or
<mailto:peter.vitale@bakernet.com< peter.vitale@bakernet.com Alert Date:
8/1/01

NZ - NEW ZEALAND PARTY CRITICIZES CYBERSNOOPING: New Zealand's Green Party
is claiming that a government committee has ignored public concerns about
the privacy of electronic communications from police snooping. New Zealand's
Law and Order Select Committee has been holding hearings on the proposed
Crimes Amendment Bill (No 6), which would criminalize hacking. The Green
Party fears that the law would give the police and intelligence services the
right to hack into citizens' computers and intercept all e-mail traffic
passing through and within New Zealand. The measure also would dramatically
impact employees and employers. See " New
<http://www.newsbytes.com/news/01/168208.html<; Zealand E-Mail Monitoring."
<mailto:kathleen.thorton@bakernet.com< kathleen.thorton@bakernet.com or
<mailto:mary.maher@bakernet.com< mary.maher@bakernet.com Alert Date:
8/1/01

NZ - WOMEN RALLY FOR PAID PARENTAL LEAVE: Women in Wellington and Auckland
rallied for the introduction of paid parental leave on July 25, 2001. The
campaign, organized by the New Zealand Council of Trade Unions, called on
the New Zealand Government to introduce fourteen weeks paid parental leave
for working women. The organizers claims that paid parental leave is a
gender equity issue and the entitlement would bring New Zealand within
current International Labour Organisation standards. See: " Women
<http://new.newsroom.co.nz/story/56758-33-0.html< Rally For Paid Parental
Leave." <mailto:paul.brown@bakernet.com< paul.brown@bakernet.com or
<mailto:kathleen.thornton@bakernet.com< kathleen.thornton@bakernet.com
Alert Date: 8/1/01

NZ - LEGAL ACTION LIKELY OVER LIST OF UNFIT EMPLOYEES: Employees of
state-owned enterprise Asure New Zealand may take legal action over a secret
hit list of employees destined for dismissal. The list when revealed caused
an industrial row last year which lead to an employer commissioned review by
a local employment lawyer. The review, released on July 25, 2001, concluded
that none of the inspectors suffered any disadvantage from being named on
the list. However, a number of the workers disagree and have indicated they
file suit against Asure as a result of the list. See " Legal Action Likely
Over List <http://www.stuff.co.nz/inl/index/0,1008,879334a11,FF.html<; ."
<mailto:paul.brown@bakernet.com< paul.brown@bakernet.com or
<mailto:kathleen.thornton@bakernet.com< kathleen.thornton@bakernet.com
Alert Date: 8/1/01

PH - FILIPINO WEB SITE PRESENTS DATABASE OF KNOWLEDGE WORKERS: The
Phillipines Department of Trade and Industry has recently developed a
website to allow professionals, organizations, and businesses to post their
skills, products, and services on the World Wide Web. The site keeps a
database of professionals, associations, and corporation listed in over
2,000 categories from key cities in the Philippines. See " Cityprosdb
<http://www.cityprosdb.com/<; ," and " Website
<http://www.newsbytes.com/news/01/167932.html<; ."
<mailto:romeo.salonga@bakernet.com< romeo.salonga@bakernet.com or
<mailto:joseph.castillo@bakernet.com< joseph.castillo@bakernet.com Alert
Date: 8/1/01

PH - HIGH COURT ASKED TO NULLIFY POWER LAW: Recently, interest groups
representing workers, peasants, woman, urban poor and youth have asked the
Philippine Supreme Court to nullify a law that will restructure the power
industry and privatise the debt-laden National Power Corporation. Workers
argue that the law promotes a Philippine economy controlled by foreign
interests in doing away with a foreign equity limit on public utilities as
specified in the constitution. See " Power Law
<http://news.findlaw.com/legalnews/s/20010718/energyphilippinesnapocor.html<;
." <mailto:jonathan.flaminiano@bakernet.com<
jonathan.flaminiano@bakernet.com or
<mailto:clavin.l.kohchet-chua@bakernet.com<
clavin.l.kohchet-chua@bakernet.com Alert Date: 8/1/01

PHinternet - PHILIPPINE AGENCY TACKLES GOVERNMENT "E-HARASSMENT": The Civil
Service Commission in the Philippines has recently released a resolution
that requires all government officials and employees to refrain from sending
indecent messages over the Internet. The resolution, effective August 5,
2001, will ban public officials from sending sexist jokes, pornographic
pictures, and vulgar letters through electronic means, including e-mail,
mobile phones, and faxes. See " E-Harassment
<http://www.newsbytes.com/news/01/168212.html<; ."
<mailto:romeo.salonga@bakernet.com< romeo.salonga@bakernet.com or
<mailto:gil.zerrudo@bakernet.com< gil.zerrudo@bakernet.com Alert Date:
8/1/01

PHevidence - PHILIPPINE COURT APPROVES NEW RULES FOR ELECTRONIC EVIDENCE: On
August 1, 2001, new rules on electronic evidence used in civil proceedings
and administrative cases become effective based on an initiative of the
Philippines Supreme Court. The rules cover all electronic documents, such as
business records, certificates, and encrypted digital signatures. The rules
will apply to all varieties of labour proceedings. See " Philippines Rules
<http://www.newsbytes.com/news/01/168270.html<; ."
<mailto:romea.salonga@bakernet.com< romea.salonga@bakernet.com or
<mailto:gil.zerrudo@bakernet.com< gil.zerrudo@bakernet.com Alert Date:
8/1/01

TH - THAI POLICE RAID STOCK FIRMS: On July 26, 2001, Thai police arrested 81
foreigners on two "boiler room" trading firms thought to be selling stock in
fake companies. The companies were suspected of operating unlicensed
securities services and may have engaged in fraud against foreign investors.
See " Stock Firms Raided
<http://news.findlaw.com/ap_stories/i/1104/7-26-2001/20010726131654910.html<
." <mailto:anurat.tiyaphorn@bakernet.com< anurattiyaphorn@bakernet.com or
<mailto:suriyong.tungsuwan@bakernet.com< suriyong.tungsuwan@bakernet.com
Alert Date: 8/1/01

TW - TAIWAN'S JOBLESS RATE HIT RECORD HIGH IN JUNE: On July 23, 2001,
Taiwanese officials announced that unemployment had reached a record high of
4.5% in June of 2001 and may climb further in the course of the current
economic slump. The government has said that an estimated 57,000 jobs will
be created by the planned spending of US$24 billion on public projects as
part of an economic stimulus package, which should come into effect by the
end of the year. See " Taiwan Hits Record Jobless Rate
<http://biz.thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/01/7/23/story4352&;sec=busine
ss< ." <mailto:sheana.chen@bakernet.com< sheana.chen@bakernet.com or
<mailto:corl.hsu@bakernet.com< corl.hsu@bakernet.com Alert Date: 8/1/01

VN - ENTERPRISES APPLY 40 HOUR WORKING REGIME: The Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC)
Council has recently reported that by late January of 2001, HCMC had 81
enterprises applying the 40-hour working regime, which can ensure sufficient
income for their workers. See " 40 Hour Working Regime
<http://www.bmck.com/gel/articles/Vietnam - 81 Enterprises Apply 40 Hour
Working Regime.doc< ." <mailto:fred.burke@bakernet.com<
fred.burke@bakernet.com or <mailto:oliver.massmann@bakernet.com<
oliver.massmann@bakernet.com Alert Date: 8/1/01

VN - DAEWOOSA'S CLOSURE FORCES WORKERS TO REPATRIATE: Workers at the
Daewoosa Company in Samoa were recently terminated when managers officially
shut down the plant. Daewoosa has been the subject of intense criticism by
workers rights activists in Vietnam as a result of the plant closure. See "
Daewoosa Closes <http://www.bmck.com/gel/articles/Vietnam - Daewoosa
Closure.doc< ." <mailto:fred.burke@bakernet.com< fred.burke@bakernet.com or
<mailto:oliver.massmann@bakernet.com< oliver.massmann@bakernet.com Alert
Date: 8/1/01

VN - PROGRESS IN GENDER EQUALITY AND ADVANCEMENT OF WOMEN IN VIETNAM:
Progress in gender equality and advancement of women in Vietnam has recently
been reported to the Vietnamese Anti-Discrimination Committee, as the
process of reviewing compliance with the UN Convention continues. The report
concluded Vietnam had encouraging achievements in job creation, poverty
alleviation, health care, and family planning. Women rights were all
improved, including equal pay, social welfare, and protection of health and
safety in working conditions. See " Vietnam Complies With UN Convention
<http://www.vietnamembassy-usa.org/news/newsitem.php3?datestamp=200107121522
49< ." <mailto:fred.burke@bakernet.com< fred.burke@bakernet.com or
<mailto:oliver.massmann@bakernet.com< oliver.massmann@bakernet.com Alert
Date: 8/1/01

VN - VIETNAM-U.S. COOPERATION ON IMMIGRATION ISSUE: According to recent U.S.
statistics, only a small number of Vietnam-U.S. immigration cases remain to
be settled, as the two nations have had strong cooperation regarding the
issue throughout the last two years. See " Vietnam-US Immigration
Cooperation
<http://www.vietnamembassy-usa.org/news/newsitem.php?datestamp=2001062917032
5< ." <mailto:fred.burke@bakernet.com< fred.burke@bakernet.com or
<mailto:oliver.massmann@bakernet.com< oliver.massmann@bakernet.com Alert
Date: 8/1/01

VN - HCMC GETS TOUGH ON FOREIGN WORKERS' INCOME TAX COLLECTION: The Ho Chi
Minh City (HCMC) Service of Trade has recently supported legislation
requiring foreign workers to submit their payroll books from other countries
before moving into Vietnam for work. The deputy director said the move would
ensure supervision of personal income and aid in income tax collections from
foreign workers. See " HCMC Income Tax Regulation
<http://www.bmck.com/gel/articles/Vietnam - Foreign Workers Income Tax
Collection.doc< ." <mailto:fred.burke@bakernet.com< fred.burke@bakernet.com
or <mailto:oliver.massmann@bakernet.com< oliver.massmann@bakernet.com
Alert Date: 8/1/01

VN - LABOUR RESTRUCTURING LAGS BEHIND DEMAND: The Vietnamese labour
structure has undergone many changes in the past decade. However, most
recently, some have suggested that it has not met the needs for economic
development. See " Labour Statistics
<http://www.bmck.com/gel/articles/Vietnam - Labor Restructuring Lags.doc< ."
<mailto:fred.burke@bakernet.com< fred.burke@bakernet.com or
<mailto:oliver.massmann@bakernet.com< oliver.massmann@bakernet.com Alert
Date: 8/1/01

VN - LABOURERS RECEIVE NO UNEMPLOYMENT ALLOWANCES: The Vietnamese Ministry
of Labour, War Invalids, and Social Affairs (MoLISA) has recently
promulgated Circular No. 2, which guides the abolition of cases in which
workers are entitled to out-of-work allowances after termination of their
contract. See " Abolition Of Point 4 In Article III
<http://www.bmckcom/gel/articles/Vietnam - Unemployment Allowances.doc< ."
<mailto:fred.burke@bakernet.com< fred.burke@bakernet.com or
<mailto:oliver.massmann@bakernet.com< oliver.massmann@bakernet.com Alert
Date: 8/1/01

VN - WORK ACCIDENTS CONTINUE TO PLAGUE HO CHI MIHN CITY: According to recent
reports from the Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC) Labor Protection Committee, 160
work-related accidents were reported in the last five years, leaving 180
people dead and 41 injured. Factors that contributed to these accidents were
non-compliance with safety regulations, faulty machinery, and poor working
conditions. See " HCMC Accident Statistics
<http://www.bmck.com/gel/articles/Vietnam - Work Accidents Plague.doc< ."
<mailto:fred.burke@bakernet.com< fred.burke@bakernet.com or
<mailto:oliver.massmann@bakernet.com< oliver.massmann@bakernet.com Alert
Date: 8/1/01

VN - LABOR EXPORTERS GET JAIL TERMS: The Hanoi Peoples Court recently
sentenced the ex-director and chief accountant of Vietnam's International
Manpower Supply Company (IMS) to prison for their involvement in a recent
labour export disturbance in American Samoa. See " Labor Exporters Get
Prison Sentence <http://www.bmck.com/gel/articles/Vietnam - Labor Exporters
Get Jail Terms.doc< ." <mailto:fred.burke@bakernet.com<
fred.burke@bakernet.com or <mailto:oliver.massmann@bakernet.com<
oliver.massmann@bakernet.com Alert Date: 8/1/01

VN - MIGRANTS FLOODING MAJOR CITIES: Recent demographic research conducted
by the Vietnamese Ministry of Planning and Investment has concluded that the
migrant workforce has boosted populations in Vietnam's three largest cities,
Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi, and Hai Pong. See " Migrants Flooding Major Cities
<http://www.bmck.com/gel/articles/Vietnam - Migrants Flooding Major
Cities.doc< ." <mailto:fred.burke@bakernet.com< fred.burke@bakernet.com or
<mailto:oliver.massmann@bakernet.com< oliver.massmann@bakernet.com Alert
Date: 8/1/01

VN - FEWER STRIKES AT FOREIGN INVESTED COMPANIES: The Foreign Employment
Management Division at the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Labour, Invalids
and Social Affairs has recently reported there are fewer strikes at foreign
invested companies. See " Fewer Strikes
<http://www.bmck.com/gel/articles/Vietnam - Foreign Invested Companies.doc<
." <mailto:fred.burke@bakernet.com< fred.burke@bakernet.com or
<mailto:oliver.massmann@bakernet.com< oliver.massmann@bakernet.com Alert
Date: 8/1/01

Europe___CISEurope & CIS top
ATdismissal - U.S. JUDGE TO DISMISS AUSTRIAN HOLCAUST LITIGATION: On July
25, 2001, a U.S District Judge ruled she would dismiss litigation by
Nazi-era slave labourers against the Austrian Government and Austrian
companies to allow a compensation fund to begin making payments. Austria has
demanded that Holocaust-related litigation in the United States be dropped
before the fund begins making payments. See " Austrian Holocaust Litigation
<http://news.findlaw.com/legalnews/s/20010725/holocaustlawsuits.html<; ."
<mailto:guenther.heckelmann@bakernet.com< guenther.heckelmann@bakernet.com
or <mailto:gregor.dornbusch@bakernet.com< gregor.dornbusch@bakernet.com
Alert Date: 8/1/01

CZ - EMPLOYMENT REPORT RELEASED FOR THE CZECH REPUBLIC: The Czech Labour
Force recently released a survey measuring employment in organizations and
companies. The survey also identifies the latest patterns in employment by
sex, age, qualification, industry, and employment status. See " Labour Force
Sample Survey <http://www.czso.cz/eng/figures/3/31/3102011q/s310211q.htm<; ."
<mailto:marek.kreisl@bakernet.com< marek.kreisl@bakernet.com or
<mailto:gabriela.vendlova@bakernet.com< gabriela.vendlova@bakernet.com
Alert Date: 8/1/01

DEregulations - CHANGES OF IMMIGRATION REGULATIONS TO BE EXPECTED: On July
4, 2001, the independent Immigration Commission initiated by the German
Federal Ministry of the Interior published its immigration report. The
recommendations of the Commission as published in the report will in all
probability influence new German legislation regarding immigration
regulations. Among many other simplifications, it is planned to grant an
unlimited residence right for highly-qualified employees that will entitle
them to immediate and unlimited access to the labour market. See " Report Of
The Independent Commission <http://www.bmi.bund.de/frameset/index.jsp<; ."
<mailto:gabriele.mastmann@bakernet.com< gabriele.mastmann@bakernet.com or
<mailto:guenther.heckelmann@bakernet.com< guenther.heckelmann@bakernet.com
Alert Date: 8/1/01

DE - LETTER OF REFERENCE HAS TO BE SIGNED BY SUPERIOR: Under German law,
employees are entitled to be granted a letter of reference upon termination
of employment. According to a most recent ruling of the German Federal Labor
Court, such letter of reference will either have to be signed by the
company's legal representatives or - if signed by another employee - will
have to indicate that the signer was a superior of the employee. Signature
of a former colleague, in contrast, is not sufficient. See " German Federal
<http://www.bundesarbeitsgericht.de/<; Labour Court Ruling."
<mailto:jacqueline.piran@bakernet.com< jacqueline.piran@bakernet.com or
<mailto:markus.kappenhagen@bakernet.com< markus.kappenhagen@bakernet.com
Alert Date: 8/1/01

DE - COMPANY CAR DAMAGES TO BE COMPENSATED BY THE EMPLOYEE: An employee
causing an accident with a company car might be asked for damage
compensation under applicable provisions of German law. The District Labour
Court of Rineland-Palatinate recently ruled that an employee will have to
share the damages with the employer if he or she caused the accident by
negligence. The exact amount of repair costs to be reimbursed by the
employee will depend on the individual circumstances. See " Company Car
Accident Ruling
<http://www.handelsblatt.com/hbiwwwangebot/fn/relhbi/sfn/buildhbi/cn/GoArt!2
00014,201174,441921/SH/0/depot/0/index.html< ."
<mailto:bernhard.trappehl@bakernet.com< bernhard.trappehl@bakernet.com or
<mailto:jacqueline.piran@bakernet.com< jacqueline.piran@bakernet.com Alert
Date: 8/1/01

DE - HARMFUL EVIDENCE STATEMENT DOES NOT JUSTIFY TERMINATION FOR CAUSE:
Giving burdensome evidence against an employer to the public prosecution
does not justify an employee's termination for cause. This holds true even
if the employer did not commit any criminal offense, but was on suspicion
erroneously. According to a recent ruling of the German Federal
Constitutional Court, participation in public proceedings as such is part of
civic duties and must therefore not lead to any disadvantages for the
employee, even if he or she inadvertently has falsely cast suspicion on
their employer. See " German Federal Constitutional Court Decision
<http://www.bverfg.de/cgi-bin/link.pl?entscheidungen< ."
<mailto:jacqueline.piran@bakernet< jacqueline.piran@bakernet or
<mailto:gregor.dornbusch@bakernet.com< gregor.dornbusch@bakernet.com Alert
Date: 8/1/01

DE - THREAT OF STRIKE AGAINST THURINGIA RETAIL INDUSTRY: After labour
negotiations between the Thuringia Retail Employers Association and works
union broke off, a spokesman of the Verdi works union announced strikes for
retail summer sales in August of 2001. Cause for the conflict is in
particular the 2.7% salary increase already agreed upon. Whilst workers wish
the increases to be granted with retroactive effect as of May of 2001,
employers tend to suspend salary increases for some months in view of the
lower purchasing power in Germany. See " Threatening Strikes in Thuringia
<http://www.handelsblatt.com/hbiwwwangebot/fn/relhbi/sfn/buildhbi/cn/GoArt!2
00014,201172,442227/SH/0/depot/0/index.html< ."
<mailto:andre.sayatz@bakernet.com< andre.sayatz@bakernet.com or
<mailto:jacqueline.piran@bakernet.com< jacqueline.piran@bakernet.com Alert
Date: 8/1/01

DE - GERMAN START-UP WORKERS UNHAPPY AND SEEKING NEW JOBS: According to a
recent survey commissioned by various German news publications, the "new
economy" in Germany is filled with unhappy workers. Eighty percent of
non-management employees at start-ups wanted to leave their companies, and
eighty-eight percent wanted to return to the security of old economy
companies. See " New Economy <http://www.newsvytes.com/news/01/168389.html<;
." <mailto:jan.valentin@bakernet.com< jan.valentin@bakernet.com or
<mailto:gregor.dornbusch@bakernet.com< gregor.dornbusch@bakernet.com Alert
Date: 8/1/01

ES - IBERIA AIRLINE PILOTS CANCEL STRIKE: On July 14, 2001, Iberian airline
pilots called off a series of summer strikes after the Spanish Government
brought in a mediator to negotiate a pay dispute. See " Strike
<http://www.msnbc.com/news/601133.asp<; Ended."
<mailto:pamela.mafuz@bakernet.com< pamela.mafuz@bakernet.com or
<mailto:jose.prieto@bakernet.com< jose.prieto@bakernet.com Alert Date:
8/1/01

ES - SPAIN'S BULLFIGHTING INDUSTRY THREATENS TO STRIKE OVER GOVERNMENT
RESTRICTIONS: On July 16, 2001, matadors, breeders, and other players in
Spain's bullfighting industry threatened to strike over restrictions the
government plans to impose that are designed to protect consumers from mad
cow disease. The industry maintains that if demands are not met, a strike
will take place in occupations throughout Spain's bullfighting industry. See
" Bullfighting Industry Threatens To Strike
<http://www.nandotimes.com/world/story/44091p-683975c.html< ."
<mailto:fermin.guardiola@bakernet.com< fermin.guardiola@bakernet.com or
<mailto:eugenia.alvarez@bakernet.com< eugenia.alvarez@bakernet.com Alert
Date: 8/1/01

ES - IMMIGRANTS FOUND DEAD IN SPAIN: On July 16, 2001, police in Spain
reported the recovery of six bodies on the southern coast near the port of
Tarifa. The bodies are believed to be those of immigrants from North Africa
trying to enter Spain illegally. See " Immigrants Found Dead
<http://www.africast.com/article.cfm?newsID=19465<; ."
<mailto:mteresa.franquesa@bakernet.com< mteresafranquesa@bakernet.com or
<mailto:pilar.tellez@bakernet.com< pilar.tellez@bakernet.com Alert Date:
8/1/01

FI - EMPLOYMENT BULLETIN OF THE FINNISH MINISTRY OF LABOUR: On July 24,
2001, the Finnish Ministry of Labour released its Employment Bulletin for
the month of June of 2001. The Bulletin surveys employment prospects and a
myriad of issues of significance for employers. See " Employment
<http://www.mol.fi/katsaukset/tile200106.htm<; Bulletin."
<mailto:anita.de.jong@bakernet.com< anita.de.jong@bakernet.com or
<mailto:theo.l.van.maaren@bakernet.com< theo.l.van.maaren@bakernet.com
Alert Date: 8/1/01

FR - EBAY FRANCE BENDS TO STRIKERS: On July 24, 2001, a two-day long strike
ended as workers from iBazar, a French auction site, and management from its
parent company, eBay, negotiated a deal with the picketers. The strike was
in protest of the lay-off of 50 workers who had demanded leaving bonuses and
overtime pay. See " eBay France Strike Ends
<http://www.thestandard.com/article/0,1902,28214,00.html<; ."
<mailto:gilles.jolivet@bakernet.com< gilles.jolivet@bakernet.com or
<mailto:alexandre.jaurett@bakernet.com< alexandre.jaurett@bakernet.com
Alert Date: 8/1/01

FRcharters - AIR FRANCE'S MAGNA CARTA FOR EMPLOYEES' RIGHTS: Air France's
direction and the employee representatives within the Air France group
recently entered into an "Ethical and Social Charter" which shall apply to
all the employees of the group. This charter expressly refers to the United
Nations Human Rights Charter and to the European Union Fundamental Rights
Charter. By this charter, Air France undertakes to encourage employment
safety and stability and to favor the development of both a "responsible
social dialogue" and a trust relationship at every level within the company.
This charter also aims at developing the financial profit-sharing with the
employees, encouraging professional mobility and the necessary adaptation of
the employees to new functions. sophie.cahen@bakernet.com
<mailto:Sophie.Cahen@bakernet.com< or <mailto:Gilles.Jolivet@bakernet.com<
gilles.jolivet@bakernet.com Alert Date: 8/1/01

FR - M&S FRENCH CLOSURES ON HOLD: Marks & Spencer (M&S) has recently
announced it has suspended moves to close 18 of its stores in France. M&S
France chairman Alain Juillet said that in searching for a buyer, M & S
would favour a sole purchaser for all the stores, which would guarantee over
1,700 jobs. See " M
<http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/english/business/newsid_1455000/1455391.stm< &S
Looks For Buyer." <mailto:gilles.jolivet@bakernet.com<
gilles.jolivet@bakernet.com or <mailto:loic.heron@bakernet.com<
loic.heron@bakernet.com Alert Date: 8/1/01

FR - FRENCH UNION CONDEMNS ITALIAN POLICE REPRESSION: On July 24, 2001,
France's largest trade union denounced alleged Italian police repression at
the recent G-8 Summit in Genoa, Italy. The union called for protest
demonstrations around France to highlight its condemnation of the G-8
incidents. The Communist-led CGT union claimed the police tarnished the work
of the superpower summit. See " Union Condemns Italian Police
<http://aaa.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/L24256378<; ."
<mailto:christine.lagarde@bakernet.com< christine.lagarde@bakernet.com or
<mailto:denise.broussal@bakernet.com< denise.broussal@bakernet.com Alert
Date: 8/1/01

GR - GREEK STRIKE CLOSES ANCIENT SITES: On July 24, 2001, Greek culture
ministry employees went on strike demanding higher pay and contract
renewals. The strike has forced the Athens Acropolis and other ancient sites
across Greece to close down. See " Culture Workers Strike
<http://europe.cnn.com/2001/WORLD/europe/07/24/greece.strike/index.html<; ."
<mailto:akos.fehervary@bakernet.com< akos.fehervary@bakernet.com or
<mailto:konrad.siegler@bakernet.com< konrad.siegler@bakernet.com Alert
Date: 8/1/01

GR - GREEK IMMIGRANT SMUGGLERS SENTENCED TO PRISON: On July 12, 2001, a
Greek immigrant smuggler was convicted and sentenced to 43 years in prison
for smuggling 43 Albanian immigrants into Greece. The sentencing is against
a backdrop where thousands of immigrants from the Middle East and Albania
sneak into Greece each year to live and work. See " Greek Immigrant Smuggler
<http://www.turkishdailynews.com/old_editions/07_14_01/for3.htm< ."
<mailto:lynda.s.zengerle@bakernet.com< lynda.s.zengerle@bakernet.com or
<mailto:andrew.j.boling@bakernet.com< andrew.j.boling@bakernet.com Alert
Date: 8/1/01

GR - MODERN SLAVE TRADE COMMON IN GREECE: On July 13, 2001, the U.S.
Department of State released its first annual report on the growing problem
of slave trade. Greece falls into the worst tier on the report, as it is
both a transit point and a destination country for trafficking. See " Slave
Trade in Greece <http://www.ekathimerini.com/news/content.asp?aid=89318<; ."
<mailto:andrew.j.boling@bakernet.com< andrew.j.boling@bakernet.com or
<mailto:stewart.d.saxe@bakernet.com< stewart.d.saxe@bakernet.com Alert
Date: 8/1/01

NL - WORKS COUNCIL DISPUTE REGARDING SAFETY HELMET: Following safety
regulations based on the Dutch Working Conditions Act, Corus Packaging Plus
has recently introduced an obligation to wear safety helmets throughout its
entire factory. As the Works Council was not asked to give its approval on
this measure, the Cantonal Court of Haarlem ruled that Corus had failed to
observe employees' participation rights laid down in the Works Council Act
and therefore ordered Corus to reverse its decision.
<mailto:mirjam.a.de.blecourt@bakernet.com< mirjam.a.de.blecourt@bakernet.com
or <mailto:steffan.j.dejong@bakernet.com< steffan.j.dejong@bakernet.com
Alert Date: 8/1/01

NL - GROUP PRACTICE OF ACCOUNTANTS AND LAWYERS: According to Attorney
General L?ger of the European Court of Justice, Dutch regulations that
prohibit a joint cooperation between accountants and attorneys are not
unreasonable. A cooperation between the two professions could have a
negative effect on those obligations characteristic for lawyers, such as
professional secrecy and the necessity to avoid conflict of interests.
<mailto:karin.w.m.bodewes@bakernet.com< karin.w.m.bodewes@bakernet.com or
<mailto:anouk.reitsma@bakernet.com< anouk.reitsma@bakernet.com Alert Date:
8/1/01

NLdataprivacy - REGULATION ON DATA PRIVACY: The new Dutch Exemption Decree
on Data Privacy was recently entered in the Bulletin of Acts and Decrees.
The Exemption Decree provides what personal data are exempted for what
purposes from the registration obligation with the Dutch Data Protection
Board, referred to in the new Dutch Data Privacy Act. The latter will most
probably enter into force in September of 2001.
<mailto:joseph.f.van.vlijmen@bakernet.com< joseph.f.van.vlijmen@bakernet.com
or <mailto:remke.scheepstra@bakernet.com< remke.scheepstra@bakernet.com
Alert Date: 8/1/01

NOunequal - NORWEGIAN WOMEN STILL EARN LESS THAN MEN: A recent United
Nations report has concluded that Norwegian women earn 37% less than
Norwegian men performing similarly situated work. See " Equal Pay In Norway
<http://www.norwaypost.no/content.asp?folder_id=1&cluster_id=16903< ."
<mailto:sten.bauer@bakernet.com< sten.bauer@bakernet.com or
<mailto:johan.karlman@bakernet.com< johan.karlman@bakernet.com Alert Date:
8/1/01

RU - ICFTU CONDEMNS RUSSIA OVER NUCLEAR AND ARMS WITH BURMA: The Russian
Government's recent move to go ahead with a plan to sell a nuclear reactor
and military aircraft to Burma has alerted concerns from the International
Confederation of Free Trade Unions (ICFTU). The ICFTU, currently leading a
world-wide campaign against Burma for its alleged use of forced labour, has
petitioned the Russian President to end both transactions, as the ICFTU
believes they would encourage further oppression of the Burmese people and
ethnic nationalities by the military regime. See " ICFTU Condemns Russia
<http://www.icftu.org/displaydocument.asp?Language=EN&;Index=991213186< ."
<mailto:jean.brough@bakernet.com< jean.brough@bakernet.com or
<mailto:julia.borozdna@bakernet.com< julia.borozdna@bakernet.com Alert
Date: 8/1/01

RU - RUSSIAN ACTIVISTS CLAIM MISSPENDING OF GERMAN PAYMENTS FOR NAZI-ERA
VICTIMS: On July 23, 2001, the Russian Fund for Understanding Reconciliation
claimed that millions of marks Germany had provided as compensation for
Nazi-era slave labour victims were misspent. The foundation helps survivors
of concentration camps and ghettos, and those forced into labour during the
Nazi-era prepare documents to demonstrate they are entitled to compensation.
See " Misspent Monies
<http://news.findlaw.com/ap_stories/l/0000/7-24-2001/20010724152117690.html<
." <mailto:mariana.marchuk@bakernet.com< mariana.marchuk@bakernet.com or
<mailto:jean.brough@bakernet.com< jean.brough@bakernet.com Alert Date:
8/1/01

RULabourCode - THE LONG EXPECTED LABOUR CODE APPROVED: On July 5, 2001, the
Russian State Duma approved the long expected new Labour Code. Both
employers and employees are now entitled to form their own organizations. In
addition, the new Labour Code permits an enterprise to have several trade
unions with the owner of each enterprise having to sign collective
bargaining agreements with each union. See " Labour Code
<http://www.bmck.com/gel/articles/Russia - New Labor Code.doc< ."
<mailto:Evgeny.reyzman@bakernet.com< evgeny.reyzman@bakernet.com or
<mailto:katerina.p.lewinbuk@bakernet.com< katerina.p.lewinbuk@bakernet.com
Alert Date: 8/1/01

RU - PROTESTS AGAINST ALLEGED CHEMICAL CONTAMINATION: On July 15, 2001, in
reaction to violation of an agreement by the management of the
publicly-owned company Astrakhan-Gasprom, residents of the area surrounding
the Gazprom plant formed a picket line along the main highway used by
Gazprom. Because no trade union negotiations began, a group of 100 people,
almost all women, attempted to block the roadway in order to stop trucks
that transport sulphur for Gazprom. The police arrived and, together with
the Gazprom security personnel, used force against the protesters. As a
result, a pregnant woman was severely beaten and other women suffered bodily
injuries. See " Pregnant Woman Beaten In Protest Against Chemical
<http://members.aol.com/ISWoR/news/gazoutcome7-01.html< Contamination By
Gazprom." <mailto:Marina.marchuk@bakernet.com< marina.marchuk@bakernet.com
or <mailto:katerina.p.lewinbuk@bakernet.com<
katerina.p.lewinbuk@bakernet.com Alert Date: 8/1/01

UK - FAMERS UNION MULLS LEGAL ACTION OVER FOOT AND MOUTH: On July 17, 2001,
Britain's National Farmers' Union (BFU) announced it was preparing to bring
legal action against the farm ministry over cuts in foot-and-mouth disease
welfare payments. See " Farmers To Bring Suit
<http://newsfindlaw.com/legalnews/s/20010717/fooddiseasebritaincompensation.
html< ." <mailto:john.evason@bakernet.com< john.evason@bakernet.com or
<mailto:christine.obrien@bakernet.com< christine.obrien@bakernet.com Alert
Date: 8/1/01

UK - BRITAIN PROPOSES FEE FOR WORKERS TO TAKE CASES TO EMPLOYMENT TRIBUNALS:
On July 20, 2001, the British Government encountered harsh criticism from
labour and employee rights groups after announcing proposed legislation that
would include charging workers for taking cases to employment tribunals. The
fee would be modest and is designed to speed up processing the case load.
See " Employment Tribunal Fee
<http://newsbbc.co.uk/hi/english/uk_politics/newsid_1448000/1448635.stm< ."
<mailto:nigel.moss@bakernet.com< nigel.moss@bakernet.com or
<mailto:chrisitne.obrien@bakernet.com< chrisitne.obrien@bakernet.com Alert
Date: 8/1/01

UK - CABIN CREW ILLNESS CAUSED BY AIR RAGE: A recent study by the Transport
and General Workers Union (TGWU) for a BBC programme concluded that
three-quarters of aircraft cabin crew are suffering from illnesses because
of stress brought on by violent and abusive passengers. Nearly all UK flight
attendants surveyed said air rage was on the increase and is becoming a
growing concern. See " Air Rage Causes Stress
<http://www.ananova.com/business/story/sm_357226.html< ."
<mailto:michael.ingle@bakernet.com< michael.ingle@bakernet.com or
<mailto:ellen.temperton@bakernet.com< ellen.temperton@bakernet.com Alert
Date: 8/1/01

UK - JAIL SENTENCE FOR MAN WHO DELETED WEB-SITE DATA UPHELD: On July 18,
2001, a criminal court imposed a sentence of nine months' imprisonment on an
employee, who had in revenge for his dismissal by his employer had gained
unauthorised entry into three web sites and deleted certain data with the
aim of causing damages to the employer. See "(R. v. Lindesay) New Law Online
<http://www.newlawonline.co.uk/<; " (subscription required).
<mailto:John.evason@bakernet.com< john.evason@bakernet.com or
<mailto:nigel.moss@bakernet.com< nigel.moss@bakernet.com Alert Date:
8/1/01

UK - PREGNANT FEMALE ZOOKEEPER WHO REFUSED TO FEED TIGERS WINS CLAIM: A zoo
keeper who was ordered to place food on a ladder in order to feed tigers
despite being three months pregnant was recently awarded ?30,000 by an
employment tribunal. Told that if she could no longer do the job she was of
no use, the applicant left her job and claimed constructive dismissal.
<mailto:sarah.gregory@bakernet.com< sarah.gregory@bakernet.com or
<mailto:christine.obrien@bakernet.com< christine.obrien@bakernet.com Alert
Date: 8/1/01

UKTribunal - REFORMS TO THE EMPLOYMENT TRIBUNAL SYSTEM: Changes have been
made to the employment tribunal rules which are effective on July 16, 2001.
The changes are designed to help tribunals manage cases fairly, quickly, and
effectively, and also to reject unmeritorious applications at an early
stage. A new overriding objective of the rules requires tribunals to deal
with cases justly. Tribunals also now have new powers of case management.
<mailto:ellen.temperton@bakernet.com< ellen.temperton@bakernet.com or
<mailto:sarah.gregory@bakernet.com< sarah.gregory@bakernet.com Alert Date:
8/1/01

UK - IMPROVING DISPUTE RESOLUTION PROCEDURES: The UK Department of Trade and
Industry recently published a consultation paper outlining new proposals for
further streamlining employment tribunal procedures and clearing the log jam
of cases. Among the various proposals is the imposition of a ?100 fee for
initiating tribunal claims. The consultation period ends in October of 2001.
<mailto:ellen.temperton@bakernet.com< ellen.temperton@bakernet.com or
<mailto:christine.obrien@bakernet.com< christine.obrien@bakernet.com Alert
Date: 8/1/01

UK - STRIKING BRITISH WORKERS CALL FOR SUPPORT: Workers in Wales have
recently discovered that new employment protection measures introduced by
UK's Labour Government fail to restore the right to strike. Members of the
Transport and General Workers Union have launched a call for support as the
dispute with their employers has become increasingly bitter. See " Striking
Workers Call For Support
<http://www.icftu.org/displaydocument.asp?Language=EN&;Index=991213083< ."
<mailto:peter.duff@bakernet.com< peter.duff@bakernet.com or
<mailto:christine.obrien@bakernet.com< christine.obrien@bakernet.com Alert
Date: 8/1/01

ZR - AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL PROTESTS DETENTION OF RIGHTS WORKERS: On July 13,
2001, Amnesty International issued a statement protesting the continued
detention of human rights workers. Over 50 people are being detained because
they are suspects in the January of 2001 assassination of President
Laurent-Desire Kabila. See " Amnesty
<http://allafrica.com/stories/200107170285.html<; International Protests."
<mailto:andrew.j.boling@bakernet.com< andrew.j.boling@bakernet.com or
<mailto:william.j.dorsey@bakernet.com< william.j.dorsey@bakernet.com Alert
Date: 8/1/01

Africa_Middle_EastAfrica/Middle East top
BH - IT TRAINING ACADEMY TO BE LAUNCHED: On July 13, 2001 India-based
Pentasoft Technologies Ltd announced that it has joined hands with TAIB
Bank, a company listed in the Bahrain Stock Exchange, to set up an IT
Academy in Bahrain. The academy will provide for a national IT literacy
program in close association with the government of Bahrain. Pentasoft will
provide technology for the design, development, and conducting of courses at
the academy through technology transfers. See " Bahrain Training Academy
<http://www.financialexpress.com/fe20010713/corp4.html<; ."
<mailto:andrew.boling@bakernet.com< andrew.boling@bakernet.com or
<mailto:samir.hamza@bakernet.com< samir.hamza@bakernet.com Alert Date:
8/1/01

CM - INTERNATIONAL REPORT POINTS TO LABOUR VIOLATIONS: A recent report
published by the International Confederation of Free Trade Unions (ICFTU)
released findings of alleged interference by the Cameroon Government in
trade union activities, discrimination based on gender and ethnicity, and
widespread use of forced labour in prison. These findings are the latest in
a series of reports in accordance with a Declaration adopted at the 1st
Ministerial Conference of the World Trade Organisation (WTO) where Ministers
agreed to respect core labour standards. See " Workers' Rights
<http://www.icftu.org/displaydocument.asp?Language=EN&;Index=991213197< " and
" Labour Standards
<http://www.icftu.org/displaydocument.asp?DocType=WTOReports&;Index=991213073
&Language=EN< ." <mailto:andrew.j.boling@bakernet.com<
andrew.j.boling@bakernet.com or <mailto:william.j.dorsey@bakernet.com<
william.j.dorsey@bakernet.com Alert Date: 8/1/01

KE - DOCTORS SEEK MASSIVE PAY INCREASE: On July 25, 2001, a proposal for a
pay increase to government doctors was outlined in a memorandum from the
Kenya Medical Association to the Medical Services Minister. Poor pay is a
chief factor in the lack of government doctors. See " Doctors Seek Pay
Increase <http://allafrica.com/stories/printable/200107260453.html<; ."
<mailto:andrew.j.boling@bakernet.com< andrew.j.boling@bakernet.com or
<mailto:william.j.dorsey@bakernet.com< william.j.dorsey@bakernet.com Alert
Date: 8/1/01

MAmigrant - MOROCCAN MIGRANT QUOTA ESTABLISHED: Leaders from Spain and
Morocco recently signed an agreement that will allow up to 20,000 Moroccans
to enter Spain each year in search of employment. The agreement is designed
to reduce the number of Moroccans who make a dangerous journey across the
Straits of Gibraltar in an attempt to enter Spain illegally. See " Moroccan
Quota
<http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/english/world/europe/newsid_1457000/1457410.stm<
." <mailto:eduardo.garcia.calleja@bakernet.com<
eduardogarcia.calleja@bakernet.com or
<mailto:fermin.guardiola@bakernet.com< fermin.guardiola@bakernet.com Alert
Date: 8/1/01

MZchildlabour - WARNING ON AIDS RISK FOR CHILD LABOUR: On July 23, 2001, the
United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) warned that child labourers in
Mozambique were at a high risk of contracting HIV/AIDS and vowed to
encourage the government to stop child labour. UNICEF's Child Protection
Officer reported that children under the age of 15 were working as
prostitutes in the country's most infected cities due to few employment
opportunities, poverty, and the liberalisation of the economy. See " Aids
Risk For Child Labour
<http://allafrica.com/stories/printable/200107250016.html<; ."
<mailto:andrew.j.boling@bakernet.com< andrew.j.boling@bakernet.com or
<mailto:william.j.dorsey@bakernet.com< william.j.dorsey@bakernet.com Alert
Date: 8/1/01

NG - SEX SLAVE SYNDICATE EXPOSED: On July 12, 2001, Nigerian police arrested
some 35 individuals for illegally recruiting teen girls to work as sex
slaves in Europe. Recruitment of teenagers as sex slaves often starts with
the temptation of employment oversees in Western countries. See " Sex Slave
Recruitment <http://allafrica.com/stories/200107140029.html<; ."
<mailto:andrew.j.boling@bakernet.com< andrew.j.boling@bakernet.com or
<mailto:william.j.dorsey@bakernet.com< william.j.dorsey@bakernet.com Alert
Date: 8/1/01

RW - CODE OF CONDUCT FOR NURSES AND MIDWIVES TO BE DRAFTED: On July 17,
2001, activists announced that new laws and a code of conduct to regulate
practising nurses and midwives in Rwanda will be drafted by local and
international expert nurses in the near future. See " Nursing Regulations
<http://allafrica.com/stories/printable/200107170291.html<; ."
<mailto:andrew.j.boling@bakernet.com< andrew.jboling@bakernet.com or
<mailto:william.j.dorsey@bakernet.com< william.j.dorsey@bakernet.com Alert
Date: 8/1/01

TN - UGTT CALLS FOR GREATER LIBERTIES: On July 14, 2001, the General
Secretary of the General Union of Tunisian Workers (UGTT) issued a call for
a greater democracy during his opening speech at the Regional Unions of
Workers Congress. He addressed various problems affecting Tunisia, including
trade union abuses, and stressed the importance of uncensored information.
See " UGTT Calls For Greater Liberties
<http://www.icftu.org/dispaydocument.asp?Language-EN&Index=991213140< ."
<mailto:andrew.j.boling@bakernet.com< andrew.j.boling@bakernet.com or
<mailto:william.j.dorsey@bakernet.com< william.j.dorsey@bakernet.com Alert
Date: 8/1/01

TR - VIRGINTY TESTS PROTESTED IN TURKEY: On July 17, 2001, Turkish nurses
denounced a new measure calling for virginity tests on female nursing
students suspected of having sex, saying it is "archaic and against human
rights and freedoms." Durmus, the Turkish Nationalist Action party, supports
the measure claiming it protects minors from prostitution and underage sex.
See " Virginity Tests
<http://news.findlaw.com/ap_stories/i/1106/7-18-2001/20010718034738220.html<
." <mailto:samir.hamza@bakernet.com< samir.hamza@bakernet.com or
<mailto:hazim.rizkana@bakernet.com< hazim.rizkana@bakernet.com Alert Date:
8/1/01

TR - ANKARA DENIES ACCUSATION OF HUMAN SMUGGLING: On July 13, 2001, the
Turkish Foreign Ministry denied accusations of human smuggling which were
presented in a recent report by the U.S. Department of State. Turkish
officials said the government has made an effort to combat the human
smuggling trade, and thus, the U.S. had no reason to put Turkey in the same
category of states that do not do enough to suppress human struggling. See "
Turkey Speaks Out On Accusations
<http://www.turkishdailynews.com/FrTDN/latest/for.htm<; ."
<mailto:samir.hamza@bakernet.com< samir.hamza@bakernet.com or
<mailto:hazim.rizkana@bakernet.com<