(20 October 2020) European workers are facing the massive social and economic consequences brought by the pandemic. New and strict measures imposed. The implementation of these measures in our work places and for us to be able to work safely need to be discussed with the workplace representatives and the unions. To underline this ETUC has started a petition More democracy at work that you can sign here
Inclusive recovery and just transitions can only be achieved in democratic manner. All workers should have a say and be effectively involved in the day-to-day life of their workplace. Democracy at work is essential for socially responsible restructuring processes delivering a solution for each and every worker. Companies with workers’ participation take more long-term and sustainable decisions with social and economic benefits. Likewise, public administrations and services benefit from worker involvement in terms of access to quality and accountability of service provision.
Too often managements do not comply with their legal obligations to inform and consult workers’ representatives on time about plans that impact jobs, income and working conditions. In parallel, public authorities do not ensure that democracy at work is fully enforced, neither within their own administrations, and do not impose effective and dissuasive sanctions. At one of the most critical times for the EU , companies, politicians, and legislators need to take their responsibility. ETUC has started a petition to call on the European and national institutions to act now to ensure that workers’ rights are respected in restructuring processes across all workplaces. The European institutions and national governments must deliver concrete and rapid actions to guarantee the effective enforcement of workers’ rights to be informed, consulted and to participate in decision-making before any envisaged decision that may impact jobs, income and working conditions is adopted. For the text of the petition
The petition is supported by the ETUC and the European trade union Federations including EPSU. We call on the European institutions to strengthen the flawed and limited European legal framework on democracy at work and restructuring. We call for a revision of the EWC Directive and for a new horizontal framework on information, consultation and board-level participation of workers for European company forms and for companies making use of company mobility instruments. The petition demands that the EU social partners’ agreement on information and consultation rights on restructuring for workers and civil servants in central government administrations must be implemented by a Directive.
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