Industrial Relations and Labour Law

• Monoprix, a leading retail chain in France, recently signed an exceptional night work agreement to address the challenges posed by the upcoming 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games in Paris.
• The agreement, signed on 17 June 2024, with key trade unions CFDT, CFE-CGC, and CGT, will be effective from 15 July 15 to 16 September 2024. This period covers the time from the Olympic torch relay until the anticipated end of dismantling the sporting installations.

• On 27 June 2024, the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) ruled in Case C-284/23, focusing on interpreting Directive 92/85/EEC regarding the dismissal protection for pregnant workers.
• The Court stated that national laws requiring pregnant workers to request leave to bring an action out of time within two weeks can be incompatible with EU law if they make exercising dismissal protection rights excessively difficult.

• On 8 July 2024, the Official Gazette published Law 27,742, also known as the “Bases and Starting Points for the Freedom of the Argentines”. It  was approved by the National Congress on 27 June 2024.
• It includes a declaration of public emergency in administrative, economic, financial, and energy matters, which is set to last for one year. This emergency declaration was initially made by Decree 70/2023, as we previously reported here.

• The introduction of the "Ley Contra el Discrimen Por Razón de Estilos de Cabello" on July 24, 2024, marks a significant step in Puerto Rico's legislative efforts to combat racial discrimination.
• This law addresses the discriminatory and bias practices against hairstyles and hair textures commonly associated with specific racial and national identities.
• It amends several existing laws, including the "Ley de Relaciones del Trabajo para el Servicio Público de Puerto Rico" and the "Ley para prohibir y prevenir el Acoso Laboral en Puerto Rico."

• Honduras has taken a significant step towards reducing the gender inequality gap in the workplace by implementing a new labour inspection protocol through AGREEMENT No. SETRASS-160-2024.
• This initiative aims to address gender discrimination in employment and occupation, reinforcing the country’s commitment to fair labour practices.

• President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. recently signed Republic Act 11996, known as the "Eddie Garcia Law," which strengthens the rights and protections of workers in the movie and television industry.
• This legislation aims to ensure safer and fairer working conditions.
• Coverage of new legislation:

- Mandatory employment contracts detailing work conditions and non-discrimination clauses.

- Strict complianc

- Regular payment of wages and social security benefits.

• On 14 February 2024, The Supreme Court of the Philippines ruled that discrimination based on HIV status is prohibited under Philippine law, and foreign laws contrary to these principles cannot be enforced.
• The Supreme Court stated that Philippine laws apply to overseas employment contracts unless specific conditions for foreign laws are met.
• It ruled that the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia's (KSA) law deeming individuals with HIV as unfit to work contradicts Philippine law and that the dismissal based on HIV status was unlawful.

• On 11 April 2024, the Port Elizabeth Labour Court addressed critical employment discrimination issues based on criminal history, emphasising the boundaries of fair employment practices under the Employment Equity Act (EEA).
• The ruling states that employers cannot deny employment based solely on criminal records unless the records are directly pertinent to the job.