The European Council has agreed its negotiating position (‘general approach’) on a new directive that seeks to make the representation of workers in large multinational companies more effective. The European Works Council Directive will amend the existing directive on European Works Councils (EWCs), making them easier to set up, better funded and better protected. Current exemptions from the application of the Directive will no longer apply, meaning that all relevant companies will be subject to the same rules when it comes to informing and consulting employees. The European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC) welcomes the revised EWC Directive. It marks a significant step forward in strengthening workers’ rights in multinational companies across Europe. The current directive, adopted in 2009, has proven insufficient, lacking robust enforcement mechanisms. The ETUC has consistently pushed for a revision, putting forward its Ten Demands for a Modern European Works Council Directive to ensure meaningful consultation, timely access to information, and enforceable rights.
Read on: in English… Read on: in English (2)…
For more information, please contact Paul de Beer or Oana Ciuca, De Burcht (Scientific Bureau for the Dutch Trade Union Movement) p.t.debeer@uva.nl or the Head of communications at the ETUI, Mehmet Koksal mkoksal@etui.org. For previous full issues of the Collective bargaining newsletter please visit https://www.etui.org/Newsletters/Collective-bargaining-newsletter or consult the archive with all articles in our database at www.cbnarchive.eu.
You may find further information on the ETUI at www.etui.org.