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18th September 2008

NEWS IN BRIEF

The Government has recently issued a consultation document with regard to the directive governing European Works Councils (EWCs). This follows a review started by the European Commission in April 2004 which identified a number of problems dealing with the practical application of the directive.

The reasons for amending the directive are:

to improve the effectiveness of information and consultation of employees in existing EWCs
to increase the number of EWCs being set up
to improve legal certainty in the setting up and operation of EWCs (such as during mergers and acquisitions)
to enhance the coherence of EWCs and other national level procedures for informing and consulting employees

As well as seeking views on the current effectiveness of EWCs, the Government is asking how the proposals will affect organisations that already have an EWC, and whether the current arrangements need to be revised.

Normally a Government consultation on proposals of this kind would last 12 weeks, but because of the speed with which the proposals are being considered within the Commission, the consultation period has been reduced to four weeks and closes on 6 October 2008.

To download the consultation document, go to: www.berr.gov.uk/files/file47617.pdf