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Human Times
North America
Bank of America challenged over policy requiring arbitration

A dismissed financial adviser has sued Bank ​of America for allegedly retreating from a commitment made in a 2013 racial bias settlement not to require workers to arbitrate discrimination claims. Katherine Mackey, in a complaint filed in Manhattan federal court, challenged a 2024 policy that is said to have mandated staff to accept ​arbitration through JAMS for many claims, including discrimination and harassment, and "forever ⁠waive" their right to sue in court or pursue class actions. “Congress and the ​Supreme Court have long encouraged the use of arbitration to resolve employment disputes," a spokesperson ‌for the second-largest ‌U.S. bank said. "Arbitration ⁠policies using JAMS as the forum for arbitration are routinely upheld in court, as has this one. We look forward to vigorously defending all aspects of this case.”

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Human Times
UK
Healey signals delay on minimum wage promise for younger workers

John Healey has indicated that a pledge in the Labour manifesto to close the minimum wage gap for young people would be delayed until after the next election. In a BBC interview on Sunday, the Chancellor was asked if younger workers would be paid the same minimum wage as older workers by the time of the next election. "We'll take one step at a time," he said, saying that Labour was still committed to the ambition, but hinting that the plan to equalise wages might be delayed, partly to encourage employers to hire younger workers. "There is no question about whether or if, it's a question of when - it's a question of how fast," Healey said. "I want to make sure we can look hard at those trade-offs that are there between jobs and wages . . . I want to take business, I want to take trade unions with me, and with the government, because together we have to get into what at the moment is a moral shame on this nation. A million youngsters - written off without any prospect of being helped into work and making contributions to this country for the future."

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Human Times
Europe
Germany's IG Metall union launches warning strikes

Members of IG Metall, Germany's largest trade union, launched warning strikes in the metalworking and electrical sectors early Sunday. Approximately 300 workers from Thyssenkrupp's Rasselstein unit participated in the first walkout. The union rejected an employer offer of a 1% one-off payment and a 1.3% increase, demanding a 5% pay rise and job guarantees instead. Jorg Kohlinger, head of IG Metall's central district, said: "The midnight warning strike at Thyssenkrupp Rasselstein is merely the start of a massive phase of warning strikes." Further strikes are expected this week throughout the ⁠bargaining region covering the states of Hesse, ⁠Rhineland-Palatinate and ​Saarland as well as in Thuringia.

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Human Times
Middle East
Transforming worker housing in Saudi

Mnzil, The Development Group and Capital Partners have launched a SAR1bn fund to develop purpose-built workforce compounds accommodating up to 50,000 workers across Saudi Arabia. Mnzil will operate the portfolio, TDG will oversee site selection, design and development, and Capital Partners will manage the fund. Development is expected to begin in Q4 2026 across major employment centres including Riyadh, Jeddah, Dammam, Khobar, Makkah and Madinah. Compounds will include furnished rooms, recreational facilities, communal areas and on-site services, with locations chosen to reduce commuting. Mnzil chief executive Majeed Albabtain said, “Improving workers' lives is a collective effort.” The partners see the model as supporting Vision 2030 while establishing workforce housing as a scalable institutional real estate asset class backed by employer demand and long-term leases.

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