The Experience of European Works Councils in New EU Member States

Résumé du livre

The relocalisation of much economic activity to central and eastern Europe as a result of EU enlargement poses significant challenges to European works councils (EWCs): a diversity of cultures, languages and concepts of participation. This report examines 10 case studies of EWCs in four new Member States to determine how effectively EWCs are meeting these challenges. The findings indicate that most EWCs are not currently well equipped to deal with the issues arising from competition, in particular competition between different subsidiaries of the same company. However, the results show that EWCs which have a clear, proactive strategy, or an understanding of their objectives and tasks are generally better equipped to deal with these issues at the group and local level than are more passive, 'symbolic' EWCs. The report offers a number of policy recommendations aimed at those directly involved in EWC practice and the main stakeholders at European level.