008 September 2021

Why is the existence of a European Works Council important for the enforcement of workers’ rights?

Workers have duties as well as rights. They are becoming increasingly aware of the latter, hence the importance of having workers’ representatives in companies. There are different forms of representation, and one of them is the works council. The way the world of work is going, all workers like to have someone in the company who looks out for them. 

Do you consider the existence of works councils to be important?

The work of workers’ representatives is much more important than many people think. Having or not having these representatives has an impact on the situation of the workers in the companies. For example, if a worker has a complaint against the company for something that is not legal or fair, he/she should tell the committee’s representatives, and they are the ones who will talk to the company. Moreover, by law, the company has to listen to them. When faced with a problem, can a worker go to the personnel department to solve it? The answer is no. First of all, because they don’t listen to you, they don’t take you into account, and they won’t respond to your demands. So the only way for an employee to solve his or her problems is to go to the works council. The fact that the committee raises whatever it is always obliges the employer to respond. Whether that response is the right one is another matter. Where there is trade union representation, workers have a minimum of coverage and guarantees that are fulfilled, but where there is no representation, they are defenceless.