CEE Legal Matters
In-depth coverage of the news and newsmakers that shape Europe's emerging markets
Although not recognized in domestic legislation for a long time, freelancers finally saw a resolution to their long-standing battle for legal recognition of their status by the end of 2022. Amendments to the Law on Personal Income Tax (“Law”), which followed months of protests and negotiations with relevant authorities, officially established and regulated the status of this category of workers. This legal framework now clearly defines their rights and obligations in a transparent manner.
In the Inside Track, General Counsels across CEE share the nuances of their roles, challenges, and strategies for success. With organizations continuously challenged to adapt to new and complex legal frameworks, this time we asked: For the implementation of whistleblowing requirements, do you intend to use internal resources or outsource, and why?
In the Czech Republic, labor law advice has become highly sought after, primarily due to recent legislative amendments and the implementation of whistleblowing and other EU regulations, according to Peterka & Partners Partner and Director for the Czech Republic Adela Krbcova, with the surge in interest driven by the need for transparent and predictable working conditions and work-life balance.
The Parliament of Albania has recently passed amendments to the Albanian Labour Code (“Code“), specifically regarding employee annual paid vacation entitlements.
New regulations governing agreements to complete a job (in Czech: dohoda o provedení práce) came into effect in the Czech Republic on 1 July 2024, with additional provisions set to be implemented on 1 January 2025. These amendments significantly modify the original provisions outlined in the Czech Consolidation Package (Act No. 349/2023 Coll.).
On June 24, 2024, the Act on the Protection of Whistleblowers (the "Whistleblowers Act") was published in the Journal of Laws, which means that most of its provisions will come into force on September 25, 2024.
Poland has finally implemented the EU Whistleblowing Directive. The new law will enter into force on 25 September 2024, leaving little time to adapt to the new regulations. We highlight the key privacy implications of implementing the whistleblowing procedures in Poland and outline the actions organisations need to take in the upcoming weeks.
