Understanding the European Works Council deficit in German multinationals

Michael Whittall, Stefan Lücking and Rainer Trinczek
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Michael Whittall: Technische Universität München - Lehrstuhl für Soziologie - Lothstr. 17 - 80992 Munich - Germany
Stefan Lücking: Technische Universität München - Lehrstuhl für Soziologie - Lothstr. 17 - 80992 Munich - Germany
Rainer Trinczek: Technische Universität München - Lehrstuhl für Soziologie - Lothstr. 17 - 80992 Munich - Germany

Transfer: European Review of Labour and Research, 2008, vol. 14, issue 3, 453-467

Abstract: This article examines the problem of setting up European Works Councils in German multinationals. Based on the findings of a Hans-Böckler-Stiftung funded project, the article argues that a key problem is the legal status of many German companies covered by the European Works Councils Directive: specifically, that companies in private hands are not legally required to reveal the number of their employees and their company structure. This lack of transparency makes it very difficult for employee representatives to determine whether their undertaking is covered by the Directive. The article also considers some issues brought to light by a German EWC database recently compiled at the Technische Universität München to support the university's research into the non-compliance with the European Works Council Directive by German multinationals.

Keywords: European Works Council; revision of European Works Council Directive; German multinationals; restructuring; transparency; mergers and acquisitions; European Works Councils in Germany (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2008
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:sae:treure:v:14:y:2008:i:3:p:453-467

DOI: 10.1177/102425890801400308

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