|
The settlement of labour disputes is regulated by the Labour Relations Code. The
Code has been agreed and signed by the employers’ organisations and the trades
unions.
The categories of disputes are recognised by the Code. Firstly, disputes
about rights which arise from the interpretation or implementation of existing
collective agreements. This category includes personal complaints stemming from
the implementation of a collective agreement. Complaints of this sort are
submitted for examination by the employer.
Representatives of the unions and of employers’ organisations may take part
in the discussion of the complaint. If the problem is not resolved through
direct negotiations, it is forwarded to the Ministry of Labour and Social
Insurance for mediation. As a final resort there is binding arbitration.
Secondly, conflicts of interest which arise during the negotiation or renewal
of collective agreements.
The dispute resolution procedure consists of the following stages:
- resolution by direct negotiation;
- mediation by the Ministry of Labour and Social Insurance (Department of
Labour Relations);
- if the dispute is still unresolved, referral to arbitration or to a public
inquiry with the agreement of both parties.
A golden mean is usually found with the help of mediation by the Ministry.
Strikes are not common.
Text last edited on: 12/2007
Source: European Union
© European Communities, 1995-2008
Reproduction is authorised.
| 
