The Directive on European Works Councils provides for a procedure for the establishment of information and consultation bodies between management and employee representatives in companies with more than 1,000 employees operating in at least two Member States.
Today the Commission is launching the first stage of consultation of the European social partners on a possible revision of the Directive on European Works Councils. This consultation is a follow-up to the legislative resolution issued by the European Parliament on its own initiative in February 2023, which calls for the revision of the directive. In accordance with the political directions of President Mrs von der Leyen, the Commission is committed to following up on these resolutions with a legislative proposal, fully respecting the principles of proportionality, subsidiarity and better legislation.
European works councils promote a common understanding of the transnational challenges faced by large multinational companies as well as employee participation in the decision-making process, with the aim of sharing possible solutions, facilitating their implementation and increasing the impact of the employer’s strategic choices . The Directive on European Works Councils provides for a procedure for the establishment of information and consultation bodies between management and employee representatives in companies with more than 1,000 employees operating in at least two Member States.
The Commission’s 2018 evaluation of the directive found that European works councils remain important for ensuring and organizing cross-border social dialogue in multinational companies, while giving Member States the flexibility to adapt it to their national systems. However, the evaluation also identified shortcomings, for example with regard to the consultation process of European works councils and the means to enforce representatives’ rights. The European Parliament also called on the Commission to review the directive, with the aim of strengthening European works councils and their capacities to exercise their information and consultation rights and to increase their number, while taking into account the different systems labor relations in the Member States.
In light of the above, the first stage of the social partners’ consultation launched today will gather the views of the European social partners on the need for possible EU action to improve the European Works Councils Directive and the general orientation towards it action. The consultation will last six weeks.
Athena Papakosta
Source :Skai
With a wealth of experience honed over 4+ years in journalism, I bring a seasoned voice to the world of news. Currently, I work as a freelance writer and editor, always seeking new opportunities to tell compelling stories in the field of world news.
