Employment and Industrial Relations Law Committee

Very few legal fields face the revolutionary changes that employment and industrial relations laws do. Issues such as technology, human rights, globalisation, corporate citizenship and increased movements of people have created unprecedented legal complexity as they interact with traditional laws often formulated decades ago. As the largest of the Human Resource Section Committees of the IBA, the purpose of the Committee is the identification, technical analysis and proactive management of national, regional and global developments in these rapidly evolving fields. The Committee takes a ‘cutting edge’ approach to its selection of topics and speakers and draws upon the combined experience of its officers and panellists to present the members with innovative solutions to the employment law problems of today.

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Forthcoming conferences and webinars View All Conferences

Annual IBA Employment and Diversity Law Conference 2025

02 Apr - 04 Apr 2025

Marrakech , Morocco

Publications
All articles

Outsourcing and employment rights – two changes in the Portuguese employment regime and their implications

It’s not news that globalisation and technology have revolutionised the market, increased competition and put pressure on labour market. However, this context places the employees of outsourcing services and the employees of potential clients in an increasingly delicate situation. Last year, the Portuguese legislator implemented two (not so straightforward) measures to protect both groups: applicability of client's collective regulation to outsourced employees and limitation of outsourcing after collective redundancies. The implementation and effects of this are still unclear and waiting for court rulings. Nonetheless, there is an urgent need to clarify the rules to better protect employees and their rights.

Released on Sep 12, 2024

The employee’s right to disconnect in Canada and Australia

New legislation in Canada and Australia enables employees greater access to the ‘right to disconnect’ (RTD) from the workplace outside ordinary working hours. Different approaches are being adopted. In Ontario, Canada employers must develop a RTD policy for their organisation. The Australian Federal Government has opted for a more comprehensive and detailed RTD scheme that will apply to most employers.

Released on Sep 11, 2024

Interview with Luigia Ingianni

As labour markets continue to evolve, lawyers and policymakers must reflect on whether the current legal framework is suitable for the new trends, needs, opportunities and challenges of the world of work or needs to align. This interview with Luigia Ingianni, who leaders the Employment Standards Office of the Qatar Financial Centre, considers such issues.

Released on Sep 09, 2024

Beyond tradition roles: examining the role of trade unions as a key stakeholder in business and governance

When one hears of a trade union in the Indian context, one is often reminded of an overbearing political intervention in the affairs of the union, limited understanding of union leadership as regards business requirements and work responsibilities and slow-paced legislative reforms in bridging the gap between the actual and the expected role of unions. This article presents a picture of the above challenges and an opportunity to revisit the role of trade unions and see them as an important component of corporate governance.

Released on Sep 09, 2024

Resolutions

Resolution on Non-Discrimination in Legal Practice, 1998

Subcommittees and other groups

The Employment and Industrial Relations Law Committee also coordinates the activities of the following subcommittees/working groups.

Compensation and Benefits Subcommittee
Presidential Task Force Against Human Trafficking

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