On 09.04.2025, the International Focus Group of the SEED project “ Strengthening the
operational effectiveness of European Works Councils in the development and
implementation of strategies for the prevention and resolution of conflicts between
workers and central management of multinational companies” was held. The objective
was to analyze and identify deficiencies and challenges of EWCs and to establish
recommendations, strategies and good practices to improve their functioning and
prevent and resolve disputes arising from the double transition in the European world
of work and workplaces .
After Andrzej Otreba, representing RADA OPZZ, welcomed and greeted the meeting
attendees, the national experts presented a brief analysis of the research phase
carried out in their countries and contained in the National Reports they prepared.
Next, project expert Ángel Lozano took the floor and presented a preview of the
comparative report on the analysis of the surveys collected . This report is structured
into six thematic blocks, highlighting various conclusions regarding each: Knowledge
and application of European and national regulations on employee participation;
existence of social dialogue and/or collective bargaining systems and regulation of
working conditions; knowledge of regulations on EWCs and the existence of these
committees in the companies within the partners’ scope of activity; knowledge of the
existence of a double transition and information systems regarding these committees;
implications of the double transition for maintaining employment and working
conditions; and the possibility of labor conflicts arising from the implementation of the
ecological and digital transition processes and how these might be channeled. He
concluded his presentation with the presentation of 15 overall conclusions obtained
from the analysis of these surveys.
Secondly, the project expert gave a presentation on the review of Directive 2009/38
initiated by the European Commission and the Council, following various reports and
resolutions on this matter, pointing out the challenges and deficiencies on the
functioning of the EWCs identified by the Parliament in its Resolution of 02.03.2023
and setting out the deficiencies and challenges identified by each partner country in its
National Report,
In conclusion to the identification of these deficiencies and challenges, the expert
proposed establishing recommendations, strategies, and best practices in two distinct
lines of action:
➢ One, to strengthen the role of EWCs, promoting their creation and improving
their functioning, highlighting, in this case, the proposals already made by the
European Commission in its proposal for a new directive , adopted by the
Council on 10.06.2024.
➢ And another, to prevent and resolve situations of labor conflict in the face of the
implementation of the double transition (ecological and digital).
To facilitate discussion among those attending the meeting, the expert gave a
presentation highlighting the proposals made by each partner in their reports,
presenting comparative tables that were discussed by the partners. To further define
these recommendations, the project expert will prepare a proposal document that will
be sent to the partners for any suggestions or modifications before publication.
Finally, the meeting concluded with a reminder of the activities planned for the coming
months, specifically: the publication ” Information , Consultation and Participation
Potential of European Works Councils to Prevent and Resolve Conflicts in the Face of
the Dual Transition „; and the Roundtable Discussion to be held in Malaga, Spain, on
June 3 and 4, 2025. The aim is to delve deeper into the methodologies and strategies
that EWCs can employ to anticipate and address disputes arising from the
implementation of the dual transition; as well as to discuss the European Commission’s
proposal for the new EWC Directive : the creation, operation, and effective application
of transnational rights to information and consultation.
