The European Parliament has taken an important step to enhance workplace democracy in multinational companies. On the 16th of December 2024 it adopted its position on revising the European Works Council (EWC) Directive. Still the road towards a new Directive isn’t finished, but another step has been taken by the European Parliament.
What will be the process from now on?
Since the EP has taken its position, the trilogue negotiations will start: these are informal discussions between the European Parliament, Council, and Commission to reach a compromise on the proposed legislation.
Normally after this step a common position will be drafted, if consensus is reached.
After this there will be a vote in the European Parliament (in a plenary vote) and the Council must approve the agreed text.
Finally the directive is officially adopted as EU law. After this adoption the Directive has to be implemented. Member States transpose the directive into national laws within a specified timeframe, monitored by the European Commission. It looks like this will be a two year period, but this also will be subject to negotiation.
Written by Arend Hamstra en Leander Boumans, trainers/advisors EWC Service
