World briefs

Women more educated than men

Paris — The 1990s saw women move ahead of men in education obtained among the developed countries of the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development, a new report says. Women are more likely to obtain university degrees in most countries. But differences continue in the types of degrees obtained. Men still opt for physics, math and engineering courses, while women take programs leading to occupations in health and welfare, teaching, the arts and humanities.

Nike settles case over sweatshop PR defence

New York — Nike will pay $2.2 million to a workers’ rights group to end a lawsuit accusing it of false advertising in a PR campaign that portrayed the firm as good corporate citizens. The suit by a California consumer activist alleged a campaign of press releases, letters to editors and Web site postings misled the public about working conditions in shoe manufacturing plants in Asia.

Find out what is the penalty for misleading advertising in Canada in this article.

Teleworker safety code

London — The British government is launching a teleworker occupational health and safety code to protect the 2.2 million citizens who work away from their employers’ premises. The document also includes information to guide employers in issues such as recruitment, training and career advancement.

Germans need to pare back pensions: report

Berlin — A report prepared for the government says Germany must raise its retirement age from 65 to 67 and reduce benefits to avoid a cash crisis in the national pension plan. The report, which faces widespread opposition, also calls for greater private plan involvement to help cope with more retirees, fewer workers and a generous retirement system.

Worker’s odour prompts new policy

Murfreesboro, Tenn. — With repeated counselling on hygiene issues failing to make an impact on a city employee, public officials instituted a new corporate odour policy. Staff are required to report for work smelling “nice.”