20-04-2004: Commission launches consultation on European Works Council Directive

The European Commission has decided to consult the social partners (workers' and employers' representatives) on how European Works Councils, established by a Community Directive nearly 10 years ago, can best respond to the challenges of a changing economic and social environment. European Works Councils (EWCs) have proved instrumental in bringing management and employees together at the trans-national level, where key decisions on the development of large enterprises are taken. 
Some 650 companies or groups have EWC agreements covering an estimated 11 million employees, with 10,000 employees’ representatives directly involved. EWCs have been highly successful in providing access to information and consultation for employees in decision making processes and obtaining their feedback on company development, especially in relation to managing change. 
However, the changed landscape since the Commission last reported on the Directive in 2000 and certain weaknesses identified in how EWCs operate mean that a new look is needed at how EWCs can fully develop. The social partners will be asked their opinion on how to ensure that EWCs can realise their full potential, the possible direction of EU action and, most importantly, what role the social partners themselves can play in this process.