European Economy
UK government to extend workfare for young unemployed
By Eileen Rose, February 21, 2012
Thousands of businesses are to receive a letter from Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg inviting them to sign up to the Youth Contract, which pays employers but not young workers.
Greek “left” pushes to join the government
By Christoph Dreier, February 20, 2012
In the socially explosive situation in Greece today a government of the “left” would merely strive to break the workers’ resistance and prepare authoritarian forms of rule.
UK Supreme Court rejects appeal over Brent library closures
By Daniel O’Flynn, February 20, 2012
The Supreme Court has refused campaigners any further appeal against the closure of six libraries in the northwest London Borough of Brent.
Opel and Vauxhall in Europe threatened with more job cuts
By our reporters, February 20, 2012
There are growing indications that the European subsidiaries of General Motors at Opel and Vauxhall are facing a new round of layoffs and wage cuts.
Portugal’s labour reforms provoke mass opposition
By Paul Mitchell, February 18, 2012
Reform of Portugal’s labour laws and the right-wing coalition government’s austerity measures are provoking mass opposition.
UK unemployment hits new high
By Julie Hyland, February 17, 2012
UK unemployment stands at a 16-year high of 8.4 percent, the Office for National Statistics announced Wednesday.
IBM launches new form of day-wage labour
By Dietmar Henning, February 11, 2012
Germany is serving as a pilot project for a radical reorganization of IBM’s work structures around the world.
Speculation on Greek default mounts as EU demands still more cuts
By Robert Stevens, February 11, 2012
With speculation mounting of a possible forced exit from the euro, the unelected governing coalition led by Greek Prime Minister Lucas Papademos is pledging to meet whatever requirements are demanded of it.
Global layoffs hit workers at GM, Nokia and Pepsico
By Jerry White, February 10, 2012
A week after American Airlines announced 13,000 job cuts in the US, a new round of mass layoffs is hitting workers in the auto, food and mobile phone industries around the world.
The looting of the Greek working class
By Peter Schwarz, February 10, 2012
The “troika” of the European Commission, the International Monetary Fund and the European Central Bank is demanding no less than the complete ruination of the Greek working class.
German chancellor Angela Merkel visits China
By Johannes Stern, February 9, 2012
German chancellor Angela Merkel visited China on February 2-3 in her fifth trip there during her tenure.
Greek parties in talks as banks demand deep wage, social cuts
By Alex Lantier, February 9, 2012
Leaders of the three political parties in Greece’s coalition government met yesterday to discuss new demands from European financial authorities for deep cuts in wages and social spending.
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