European Works Councils in Multinational Enterprises: Background, Working and Experience

by Roger Blanpain

The European works councils, the result of the Directive of 22 September 1994 which introduces a procedure for the purpose of informing and consulting employees in community-scale undertakings or groups thereof, will influence the practice of industrial relations and human resources management, not only in Europe but beyond. This working paper, which combines an academic analysis as well as insights and experiences at various types of meetings, gives an overview of and presents experiences on the application of the Directive and its assimilation as national law. Concepts such as "information and consultation," "employee representation," are examined. A number of agreements concluded by way of implementing the Directive are also analyzed. This is the ILO Multinational Enterprises Program Working Paper No. 83.

87 pages, Paperback

Published January 1, 1999