European industrial relations in 2003: a chronicle of events.

This article examines industrial relations in Europe as of 2003. In the process, European Union-level economic, political and legislative developments are presented, in order to elucidate further on the region's industrial relations. Economic growth continued to slow across EU during 2003. Eurostat figures relating to the third quarter of 2003 show that gross domestic product growth in the eurozone is 0.3 percent compared with the same period in 2002. As to political developments, the presidency of the EU Council of Ministers is held by the Greek government in the first half of 2003 and by the Italian government during the second half of the year. In addition, a range of legislative instruments through the EU decision-making machinery, are created. Some of these legislations are: European Cooperative Society; 10th Company Law Directive; and, European Works Council Directive.