Towards an alternative approach on European works councils

The European Works Councils Directive, as recast in 2009, provides a good legal framework for the functioning of European works councils. It offers social partners at company level the space to negotiate agreements that suit their circumstances. "The European Commission should not buy into a revision of the EWCs Directive, as proposed by the European Parliament", BusinessEurope Director General Markus J. Beyrer said addressing Commissioner Schmit during a dedicated webinar. "This would be another negative example of an EU regulatory initiative deeply damaging business competitiveness, at odds with the growing recognition by the Member States and the Commission that improving our competitiveness is crucial for ensuring a prosperous Europe in the future. We propose that the Commission comes forward with a Commission recommendation and a code of practice to improve the functioning of European works councils", he added. For such a code of practice to work, it is essential to prepare it with the social partners and EWCs practitioners. The EU business community is committed to engaging constructively in the development of such a code of practice with the Commission and trade unions.