Labour market indicators

Unemployment rate in 2004: 4,7% (ILO data)

Working population:

Employment by sector:

Employment contracts
Legal clauses regulate employment contracts and to a lesser degree collective agreements and individual negotiations.

Salaries

National monthly minimum wage as of 01/01/2003: 1,105 euros

Average wage for a employee in the manufacturing industry in 2003: 11.43 pounds by  hour (ILO data)

Social security contributions

Employer: 12.8%

Employee: 11%

Number of hours

Legal definition of full time work (per week): 48 hours

Retirement age: 60 for women and 65 for men.

Unions

Average rate of union membership:27.64 %.

Unions: The following confederations can be listed : TUC ( TRADE UNION CONGRESS), STUC ( THE SCOTTISH TRADE UNION CONGRESS) and Wales TUC.

Useful links

For further informations on the labour market, check out the following web sites:

- International Labour Organization (ILO): studies, statistics and reports on working conditions and labour markets

- NATLEX : ILO database on national labour laws

- Department for Work and Pensions