EU creates clear rules: strengthening the voice of the employees now!

EU creates clear rules: strengthening the voice of the employees now!

Europa, EU - On June 5, 2025, the European Parliament's employment committee took an important step to strengthen the rights of employees in Europe. The committee voted on a reform of the guideline to the European works councils, which is intended to enable millions of employees in multinational corporations to get more say across national borders. According to ots to provide the new regulation to inform your European works council at an early stage and comprehensively about planned measures Could have an impact on employees.

The SPÖ-EU MP Evelyn Regner described the vote as a crucial step for more justice in the workplace. In the future, important decisions such as relocations or staff reduction will no longer be made behind closed doors. The reformed guideline stipulates that works councils and company management have to meet at least twice a year to advise on corporate developments. This is seen as a possibility to promote the dialogue and the integration of employees into decision -making processes.

Important innovations in the guideline

The reform brings with it several significant innovations. Companies are obliged to provide an express justification for confidential information. A particularly important aspect is the introduction of sanctions that are linked to the turnover of a company in order to avoid symbolic fines. In addition, at least 40 percent of members on European works councils will have to be women in the future, which is progress in the direction of gender equality.

These changes are part of a larger framework of EU guidelines for participation and employee participation, which must be implemented in national law. The EU has issued several guidelines, including the EBR guideline, the guideline for co-determination in European society (SE) and the guideline on mass layoffs. The reform aims to strengthen the participation in the EU and to promote democracy in the European world of work, such as IMU Böckler Notes.

Legal bases and European framework conditions

In the context of employee rights, the EU contributes to improving living and working conditions in the Member States. Article 27 of the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the EU recognizes the right to the information and hearing, which is of central importance for the work of the European works councils. These rights are protected by various EU guidelines that determine the regulations for the national and cross-border level, such as the

This reform is not only a step to improve participation in companies, but also part of a slow but steady process that aims to continuously improve the working conditions in the EU and at the same time ensure a fairer and inclusive world of work. A new EU directive on cross-border conversions that will soon be passed will continue to support this goal and must also be implemented in national law.