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7 May 2007 European Companies: Update of the SE companies section
A new version of the SEEurope company fact sheets is available comprising a series of new SEs having been set-up and additional information on the existing SEs. more
6 April 2007 European Companies: Update of the SE companies section
A new version of the SEEurope company fact sheets is available comprising a series of new SEs having been set-up and additional information on the existing SEs. more
3 March 2007 European Companies: Update of the SE companies section
A new version of the SEEurope company fact sheets is available comprising a series of new SEs having been set-up and additional information on the existing SEs. more
3 March 2007 SEEurope country report: Country report: Transposition of the SE Directive in SPAIN - Armando Fernández Steinko
The transposition of the Regulation on employee involvement was finally approved in the Congress (lower house) with the support of all groups except the Conservative Party (Partido Popular). more
28 February 2007 UPDATE: SEEurope COMPARATIVE TABLE: Board-level representation in the EU-27
The updated table is now avaiable in in English, German, French, Italian and Spanish. more
26 January 2007 UPDATE: SEEurope COMPARATIVE TABLE: Board-level representation in the EU-27
The table presents an overview of the characteristics of the national systems of employee board-level representation. The updated table comprises information on the now 27 EU members and reflects the latest changes in the Slovenian and Hungarian system. Both countries recently enabled companies to choose between between a monistic and a dualistic board structure.
The updated table is currently available in English and German - French, Italian and Spanish will soon follow more
22 January 2007 SEEurope country report: Country report: Recent debates on the future of corporate governance and domestic company law in Sweden - Magnus Lundberg
Since September 2006 there has been a new right-wing government in Sweden. The corporate governance issue has been somewhat neglected. One issue that has been raised by the Swedish Trade Union Confederation – LO – is financial responsibility for the training of workers’ representatives on company boards as the training of board representatives and safety representatives has to a significant extent been government funded. The new Swedish government has, in its budget proposal, abolished these “training funds”. more
19 January 2007 SEEurope case study: Case Study Report on Plansee SE - Sandra Schwimbersky (SEEurope network) in cooperation with Udo Rehfeld (IRES)
The aim and purpose of this study is to track the process of transformation of Plansee AG into an SE and the views of the different parties involved, namely the management and works council of the company, the relevant trade unions and the Vienna Chamber of Labour. Besides giving a timeline and describing the process of transformation from different viewpoints, the study presents an analysis of results. However, evaluation of actual working practice is limited to the period of 5 months since the transformation took place.
 more
19 January 2007 SEEurope country report: Biedenkopf Commission sees no need for fundamental reform of German codetermination - Dr Torsten Müller
On 21 December 2006 the three independent academic members of the so-called “Biedenkopf Commission” on the modernisation of the German system of codetermination issued their report, which sees no need for fundamental changes to the German system of codetermination. In doing so, the independent report strengthens the German system of codetermination. more
10 January 2007SEEurope country reports: Implementation of the Takeover Directive (2004/25EF) in DENMARK - Herman Knudsen, Aalborg University
Recent changes in Danish corporate governance recommendations- Herman Knudsen, Aalborg University
10 January 2007 European Companies: Update of the SE companies section
A new version of the SEEurope company fact sheets is available comprising a series of new SEs having been set-up and additional information on the existing SEs. more
13 December 2006 SEEurope country report: Implementation of the information and consultation directive in POLAND - Dr Dagmara Skupień
The Polish Law on employee information and consultation of 7 April 2006 obliges employers who employ 100 employees or more (50 employees or more since 2008) to establish a works council. According to the data presented by the Polish Ministry of Labour and Social Policy, 1,019 works councils had been set up in Polish establishments by 5 October 2006. more
27 November 2006 Research paper: Statistical data on board-level employee representation in France by Aline Conchon, PhD Student in Sociology of Industrial Relations, LISE-CNRS (2006)
This paper offers, for the first time, some statistical data on the representation of workers, who hold a deliberative capacity, on the supervisory or administrative boards of French companies. It seeks to demonstrate that, counter to what might be thought, this kind of employee representation is not marginal in France and appears to be significant, not only in the public sector but also in the private one. The study is available in  and  more
27 November 2006 Research paper: Statistical data on board-level employee representation in France by Aline Conchon, PhD Student in Sociology of Industrial Relations, LISE-CNRS (2006)
This paper offers, for the first time, some statistical data on the representation of workers, who hold a deliberative capacity, on the supervisory or administrative boards of French companies. It seeks to demonstrate that, counter to what might be thought, this kind of employee representation is not marginal in France and appears to be significant, not only in the public sector but also in the private one. The study is available in and more
27 November 2006 SEEurope Report Portugal: Transposition of takeover directive increases workers’ information rights by Reinhard Naumann
On 2 November 2006, Decree-Law 219/2006 transposing the European Takeover Directive 2004/25/CE was published. The law amends parts of national legislation on takeovers. One important change is the introduction of fines in case of violation of workers’ information rights more
27 November 2006 SEEurope country report: Employee board representation in Hungary’s new company law by Laszlo Neumann
Following lengthy preparations involving social dialogue and specialist debates, the new Act IV on Business Associations came into force on 1 July 2006. Contrary to its previous drafts, the law ultimately did not make board representation voluntary and the major regulations on employee representation remained intact. Nevertheless some important changes have taken place which might represent a threat to the Hungarian system of board-level representation. more.
27 November 2006 Overview: Transposition of the Directive on employee involvement in the European Cooperative Society (SCE)
In November 2006 only 12 EU members states and Bulgaria had transposed the Directive. The SCE Regulation came into force on 18 August 2006, by which date the member states also had to transpose the SCE directive into national law.more.
23 November 2006 SEEurope Newsletter: Recent developments in EU company law by Johannes Heuschmid
The newsletter from November includes information about the Corporate Governance Forum, European Private Company (EPC), Directive on the cross-border transfer of registered seat (14th company law directive), Corporate Governance Conference Helsinki, latest decisions from the European Court of Justice and the Shareholder rights directive more.
20 October 2006 European Companies: Update of the SE companies section
A new version of the SEEurope company fact sheets is available comprising a series of new SEs having been set-up and additional information on the existing SEs. more
4 October 2006 ALLIANZ SE: Report about the negotiations and the agreement on worker involvement by Roland Koestler
More or less exactly after the legally foreseen half year negotiation period an agreement on worker involvement was reached and the Allianz SE can be registered in Munich. Allianz is one of the major global players, not only in Europe, now becoming a SE by merging with its Italian daughter RAS. Roland Köstler's report provides an interesting inside view into the negotiations on worker involvement in the future Allianz SE. more
2 October 2006 SWEDEN: Adoption of European Cooperative Society (SCE) legislation and EU Directive on Takeovers by Magnus Lundberg
Both acts have been transposed in Sweden. One interesting issue in the Swedish discussions on the transposition of the directive on worker involvement in the SCE was the introduction of a time limit by which the special negotiating body needs to be set up. more
2 October 2006 POLAND: Transposition of the European Cooperative Society (SCE) Regulation and Directive by Dagmara Skupien
The Law on the European cooperative society (SCE) entered into force on 18 August 2006. With regard to the selection of the members of the special negotiating body (SNB) the representative trade unions have priority in selecting SNB members. more
26 September 2006 European Companies: Update of the SE companies section
A new version of the SEEurope company fact sheets is available comprising a series of new SEs having been set-up and additional information on the existing SEs. more
26 September 2006 ETUC press release: A bigger future for worker participation in Europe thanks to Allianz SE
An agreement on worker participation concluded with the new European company Allianz SE in Munich on 20 September 2006 marked a new milestone for Europe’s trade unions. For the first time ever, a large company - employing some 160,000 workers in virtually all EU Member States - expressly subscribed to a system of European management comprising significant, mandatory worker participation.
Link to press release (available in EN and FR)
15 September 2006 COMPARATIVE TABLE: The updated tables on worker board-level representation in the EU-25 are now available in DE, EN, FR, ES and IT.
16 August 2006 European Companies: Update of the SE companies section
A new version of the SEEurope company fact sheets is available comprising a series of new SEs having been set-up and additional information on the existing SEs. more
7 August 2006 Update of Malta section by Saviour Rizzo
7 August 2006 SE information: Bauholding Strabag finally concludes an SE Agreement
At the beginning of May 2006 a valid SE agreement was signed by the Austrian company Bauholding Strabag, one of the market leaders in the European building industry with more than 31,000 employees throughout Europe. This was preceded by a great deal of work: this agreement came into being only after trade union protests, both in Austria and abroad, and also judicial submissions.more
7 August 2006 SEEurope country report: Transposition of the SCE Regulation and Directive in AUSTRIA and Transposition of the EU Directive on Takeovers in the Austrian Takeover Act by Walter Gagawczuk
The Regulation on the European Cooperative Society Statute (SCE)and the associated Directive on employee involvement in SCEs were adopted in the Austrian parliament in June 2006 and will enter into force on 18 August 2006. The report provides a brief overview on the contents of the new legislation and the remaining controversial points with regard to employee involvement.
The report also examines the transposition of the EU Directive on takeovers into the Austrian Takeover Act that came into force on 20 May 2006. As the most important sections of the EU Directive on takeovers and mergers had already been incorporated into the Austrian Takeover Act only few changes were necessary in the course of transposition. more
21 July 2006 SEEurope Newsletter: Recent developments in EU company law by Johannes Heuschmid
The newsletter includes information about the Summary Report on the Consultation and Public Hearing on Future Priorities for the Action Plan, the European Parliament resolution on recent developments and prospects in relation to company law, the Directive regarding the transfer of the registeblack office of a company (14th company law directive), the European Private Company (EPC), the Corporate Governance Forum and the European Cooperative Society (ECS) more.
17 July 2006 New publication: European Works Councils - Facts and Figures 2006 by Peter Kerckhofs, ETUI-REHS: 2006
Since its first publication in 2002, this book on the state of play in European Works Councils has become a key reference tool and this newly revised and updated version will prove invaluable to anyone seeking both quantitative information and understanding of the issues surrounding the formation and operation of EWCs. All relevant data is presented in a total of 161 figures, all of them accompanied by explanatory text. more.
7 July 2006 SEEurope country report: Transposition of the takeover directive and the SCE legislation in Estonia (by Dr. iur. Merle Muda)
With the aim of transposing Directive 2004/25/EC on takeover bids into Estonian law, the Estonian Ministry of Finance is currently drafting the Securities Market Act Amendment Act. The Ministry intends to submit the draft to the government in October 2006. The draft of the European Cooperative Society (SCE) Application Act was passed by the Estonian parliament on 14 December 2005 and will enter into force on 18 August 2006. With regard to the Directive on employee involvement within SCEthe ministry intends to submit a draft to the Estonian government in July/August 2006. more
7 July 2006 SEEurope country report: The SE Regulation and Directive - Discussion and state of the transposition process in Spain (by Armando Fernández Steinko)
The transposition of the SE Regulation was finally approved by the Congress (lower house) at the beginning of 2006. The parliamentary discussions were not significant as the proposals of the parliamentary groups were mainly technical. Congress approval of transposition of the Directive at committee level is expected in June 2006. It can then be sent to the Senate (upper house) and return to the Congress after the summer for definitive approval. more
30 June 2006 Introduction of one-tier system in SLOVENIAN company law and implementation of SE directive (by Janja Hojnik)
In Slovenia the government introduced a one-tier system of corporate governance in addition to the existing two-tier system (management board and supervisory board). On the important question of worker representation on the single administrative board a temporary solution was adopted after a long debate. Accordingly, in medium-size and bigger companies a maximum of one-third of the board members are nominated by the works council. With this compromise earlier proposals on the complete abolition of participation in the one-tier system were rejected. The report also provides an overview on the new Slovenian law implementing the SE directive. more
21 June 2006 European Companies: Update of the SE companies section
A new version of the SEEurope company fact sheets is available comprising a series of new SEs having been set-up and additional information on the existing SEs. more
1 June 2006 Publications: SE booklet now available in German
The booklet "The European Company - Prospects for worker board-level participation in the enlarged EU" has been translated into German and can be downloaded from the SEEurope website. The German version was realised with support from the Otto Brenner Foundation and the Hans Böckler Stiftung more.
26 May 2006 European Companies: Update of the SE companies section
A new version of the SEEurope company fact sheets is available comprising a series of new SEs having been set-up. In total, there are now now 33 SEs with Germany leading the country hit list of SE-foundations (9), followed by Austria and the Netherlands (5), Belgium and Sweden (4), Luxembourg (2), Finland, Norway, Slovakia and the UK (1).more
19 May 2006 Cross-border aspects: Comparative table and map on board-level participation in Europe
An update of the SEEurope table on board-level participation is available in DE and EN. Also the map on board-level participation is available in a new version in DE and EN.
19 May 2006 National backgounds: Supervisory board participation in AUSTRIA
The paper provides an overview of the legal framework governing the participation of workers’ representatives in supervisory boards. It focuses on relevant provisions applicable to companies with limited liability and to stock corporations; differences in provisions applicable to cooperative association are only briefly referblack to. more
18 May 2006 Developments at European Level: European Cooperative Society (SCE)
The SCE fills the gap regarding the transnational activities of cooperatives. The SCE legislation consists of a Regulation on the Statute for an SCE and an accompanying Directive on worker involvement. Regulation and Directive shall come into force from 18 August 2006. The Commission has set-up a legal expert group which has now published its final report. Find more information in the new SCE section.
18 May 2006 SEEurope country report: The Latvian section has been updated.
The Law on SEs was adopted on 10 March 2005 and came into force on 7 April 2005.So far no major debate has developed regarding SE regulations and employee representation rights at board level.(by Agnese Puntuza) more
24 April 2006 European Companies: Update of the SE companies section
A new version of the SEEurope company fact sheets is available comprising a series of new SEs having been set-up. more
27 March 2006 SEEurope country report: Disputes concerning a new Employee representatives act in ESTONIA (by Merle Muda)
The draft new Estonian Employee representatives act by which the EU information and consultation Directive shall be transposed abolishes the present rules for electing shop stewards. Instead of the current one-channel system, the draft establishes a two-channel system of employee representation, that is, shop stewards represent all employees in questions connected with their job and representatives elected by a trade union represent members of the trade union in issues laid down in the Trade Unions Act. The Confederation of Estonian Trade Unions opposes the conception of the new act. more
27 March 2006 New publication: What makes a good company? Employee interest representation in European company law: reflections and legal provisions (by Janja Bedrač, ETUI-REHS Report 94, 2006)
Involvement of workers’ representatives is crucial for sound corporate governance, promising both improved economic performance and fulfilment of the Lisbon strategy. This report presents an overview of European company law and its relationship to European law on employee involvement. Thanks to Janja Bedrač’s compilation, trade unionists will find it easier to orient themselves and to identify legal reference points in this relevant and decisive debate. more
23 March 2006 New publication: The European Company - Prospects for worker board-level participation in the enlarged EU (edited by Norbert Kluge and Michael Stollt, Brussels 2006)
The new booklet provides information on different aspects of the European Company (SE) such as the question of worker involvement, the national transposition processes and taxation aspects. Moreover, information is given on the development and the different national systems of worker participation on supervisory or administrative boards throughout the European Union. more
7 March 2006 FAQ on merger directive (by Johannes Heuschmid)
The decision of the European Parliament in May 2005 to approve the draft Directive on the merger of companies inside the EU is set to make mergers across European borders substantially easier from 2007. At present merging is a very expensive, lengthy and, in some countries, impossible undertaking. The Council of Ministers adopted the Directive formally on 26 October 2005. more
2 March 2006 - SEEurope Report: Transposition process in Portugal (by Philippe Lafontaine)
On 20 October 2005, the Portuguese government transposed the Directive on workers' involvement in the SE by governmental decree. The new SEEurope report examines in detail the Portuguese transposition law with regard to the benchmarking points set-up in the first SE checklist prepablack by ETUI and UNI Europa. more
7 February 2006 - SEEurope Report: National debates in Austria (by Helmut Gahleitner)
The report briefly highlights the discussion and some of the important changes regarding corporate governance in Austria. The Austrian legislator has amended the Companies Act by tightening up the responsibilities of the supervisory board and of the annual auditor of Austrian stock corporations. more
7 February 2006 - Update of "SE Companies" section (by Sandra Schwimbersky)
2 February 2006 - Legal assessment: Formation of “empty SEs” (having no employees) is against the law
Looking at the first SEs to have been established, in a number of cases the company declablack that the SE does not have any employees at the time of registration. As a consequence, no negotiations with the employees took place as requiblack by the SE directive and its national transpositions. In most cases, registration was accepted nevertheless. German law professor Bernhard Blanke argues in his legal assessment that there always need to be negotiations under the SE directive. If not, registration has to be refused. more
1 February 2006 - SEEurope Report: Introduction of a one-tier management system in Slovenian companies (by Janja Bedrac)
Slovenia is preparing an extensive company law reform. The key novelty of the proposal for an amended Companies Act is the implementation of the right to choose between two-tier and one-tier management for joint-stock companies. This is a genuine novelty because under existing Slovenian law there is no such choice. The general view of workers’ representatives is that the enactment of the proposed company legislation would considerably blackuce employees’ involvement in companies with a one-tier management system. Their involvement would practically be abolished. more
8 January 2006 - SEEurope Report: Women on (supervisory) boards (by Sandra Schwimbersky)
The report provides a first insight into a field of research that requires more attention in the future and which might provide general frameworks for the analysis of the impact of board member characteristics on outcomes and processes. Recently, two national initiatives, one German and the other Norwegian, aimed at increasing the number of women on supervisory boards. On average, women occupy 8% of corporate boardroom seats in the largest companies in Europe. However, the percentage varies from 22% in Norway to 2% in Italy. more
2 January 2006 - SECTION UPDATE: SE companies - Established, in preparation, announced interest and failed
In this section information is presented on established SEs and on companies planning to establish an SE. Establishment is possible as from 8 October 2004, by which date the SE statute and the SE Directive should have been transposed into national law and have enteblack into force. Additionally, information is presented on companies proving the opportunities of the establishment of an SE and those companies that have failed in their attempt to establish an SE. more
22 December 2005 - TABLE ON TRANSPOSITION: Make up of Special Negotiating Bodies (SNB) (by Lionel Fulton)
Twenty-two out of 28 EEA states have now transposed the Directive on employee involvement in European Companies. This table shows the composition of the Special Negotiating Body and the role that external trade union members can play in all 22 states. It also provides information on the draft proposals for three other states more
22 December 2005 - TRANSPOSITION REPORT: Process in Luxembourg delayed (by Marc Feyereisen)
The legislative procedure in Luxembourg requires that all chambers of trade likely to be affected by draft legislation be consulted about it. As no opinions have been received from the employers' Chambers, it is unlikely that the bill will be put to the vote before the second half of 2006.more
14 December 2005 - NEW PUBLICATION: Report 92 (ETUI-REHS) -Prospects for trade unions in the evolving European system of corporate governance
Even though the US neo-liberal economic model is currently regarded by many as dominant, this may be proved false by the future of Europe's stakeholder economies. An examination of individual countries in the European Union reveals facts that speak against the supposed superiority of the US model in terms of economic performance. The report has been written by Sig Vitols. more
14 December 2005 - New source of information: European Industrial Relations Dictionary
The Dublin Foundation has sorted a new online dictionary which is a collection of the most commonly used terms in employment and industrial relations at EU level today, with almost 300 entries. more: SEEurope links
30 November 2005 - PRESENTATION: ETUC position at the European Corporate Governance Conference
Statement of ETUC`s vice-general secretary Reiner Hoffmann to the European Corporate Governance Conference (14 November 2005, London). ETUC is of the opinion that not only shareholders, but also workers, other citizens and the community at large have an interest in good governance of companies.more
30 November 2005 - SECTION UPDATE:
Developments at European and Global Level
The section "Developments at European and global level" has been restructublack and new contents have been added:
Revision EWC Directive
EWC Substantive agreements
Information and Consultation Directive
EU Company Law
Corporate Governance
1 November 2005 - TRANSPOSITION REPORT: SE Regulation and Directive transposition process reaches its final stage in Greece (by Christos Ioannou)
Last week (25 October 2005) the Greek Parliament adopted the Law which transposes the provisions of the SE Regulation. This was necessary in order first to provide the framework for the dualistic system of corporate governance (management board and separate supervisory board), and second to extend the application of national legislation on limited companies to the new SEs. This opens the door for transposition of the SE Directive which means that the process may be concluded well before the end of 2005. The acceleration of the process has helped to boost the national debate on the issue. more
1 November 2005 - TRANSPOSITION NEWS: Deadline in Ireland not met (by Kevin P.O' Kelly)
It is the view of the Dept of Enterprise, Trade and Employment that this directive can be transposed through a regulation laid before the Oireachtas (Irish Parliament). However, to date this has not yet happened. more
21 October 2005 - TRANSPOSITION REPORT: SE directive transposed in FRANCE (by Udo Rehfeldt)
The French Parliament transposed the European company (SE) statute into French law shortly before the summer vacations, on 13 July 2005. The French transposition law has often opted for more restrictive rights for employee representatives wherever the directive has left room. In particular, it has limited funding to only one expert and has excluded external trade union officials from the Special Negotiating Body or SE committee membership (in the standard rules). more
21 October 2005 - SEEurope BACKGROUND REPORT: The Debate on Corporate Governance in Denmark (by Herman Knudsen)
The Danish debate on corporate governance was sparked off by developments in both the national and the international contexts. The Danish reports and the public debate on corporate governance have only marginally touched upon the issue of worker participation at board level (although according to Danish company legislation employees are entitled to fill one third of the seats on company boards). This is, of course, irritating, as it means that an opportunity for reflecting on and improving the role of employee participation has been missed. Conversely, at least it can be said that the discussion on corporate governance in Denmark has not degenerated into an attack on the principle of employee representation on company boards. more
27 September 2005 - PUBLICATION: Worker board-level representation in the new EU Member States - Country reports on the national systems and practices (edited by Social Development Agency asbl and ETUI-REHS, 2005)
This publication presents a number of short reports on the national systems and practices of worker board-level representation in the ten new member states. Each report is divided into two parts: a description of the legislative background is followed by a practitioner report written by a worker board member in the respective country. Although the practice of board-level representation differs significantly not only from one member state to another but also within the countries themselves, these stories provide an interesting insight into the real meaning and practice of board-level representation in a specific country. The reports were written by experts and practitioners who participated in the PRESENS project – Prospects for board-level representation of workers under the European Company Statute in the new EU member states. more
26 September 2005 - DEVELOPMENTS AT EU Level: Directive on cross-border merges adopted
The aim of this directive is to make cross-border mergers easier, by overcoming obstacles caused by different national laws. The EC Council adopted the Directive on 20 September 2005. Member States must transpose the Directive within two years. With regard to worker participation the Directive by and large refers to the rules set up in the European Company Directive. more
12 September 2005 - BACKGROUND REPORT: National debates on the SE in ESTONIA (by Merle Muda)
The main issue that gave rise to discussion in the process of transposing Directive 2001/86/EC into Estonian law concerned who can elect employee representatives to the special negotiating body and the statutory representative body. more
23 August 2005 - NEW PUBLICATION: Mitbestimmung (international edition 2005) - Time for a new blueprint?
Mitbestimmung is a monthly magazine of the German Hans Böckler Foundation. The 2005 international edition contains a variety of interesting articles on worker participation and co-determination. All articles can be downloaded in  and . more
23 August 2005 - NEW PUBLICATION: TRANSFER 2/2005 - Employee board-level participation in Europe
This issue of Transfer examines board-level participation, the importance of the SE Directive and its implications for industrial relations and corporate governance in Europe. The various contributors examine the history of employee board-level participation in Europe and the current position following the transposition of the SE Directive into national legislation, as well as European company law directives and how these affect the interests of workers. The issue also publishes the initial results of a survey of employee board-level representatives from nine EU Member States. more
26 July 2005 - COUNTRY REPORT: Draft SE transposition law approved in Spain (by Armando F. Steinko)
The draft laws transposing the Directive and the Regulation were finally approved by the Government on 22 October 2005 after consultation with the social partners and the inclusion of some of their proposals. The Regulation draft will be probably be voted on in the Senate (upper house) within the next few weeks and in the Congress (lower house) probably after summer 2005.
The SEEurope report includes a summary of the main views of the trade unions and the employers. more
19 July 2005 - New section: SUBSTANTIVE EWC AGREEMENTS
European works councils (EWCs) are established by agreements which define how they will function. However some EWC have also concluded agreements or codes of conduct with management on substantive matters. These substantive agreements illustrate the negotiating role which EWCs can play. more
7 July 2005 - COUNTRY REPORT : Dilemmas arising from the impact on board-level participation rights of the one-tier management system (by Janja Bedrac)
The Slovenian Companies Act has hitherto not regulated one-tier management: this was supposed to be dealt with in the new chapter on SEs. However, more important in this regard is that the proposed Companies Act amendments allow national companies to apply the provisions on one-tier management, reflecting the wishes of the business community in Slovenia. The introduction of the one-tier system alongside the existing two-tier system would significantly affect the current regulation and practice of workers’ involvement. Those potentially concerned have reacted strongly, as a result of which regulation of the European Company and the introduction of the one-tier system have so far made no progress. more
24 June 2005 - Project PRESENS: Third seminar held in Vienna (June) - Final conference takes place in September (Bratislava)
In Vienna, the third seminar to be organised in the context of the PRESENS project was held on 16-18 June by the Austrian project partner Arbeiterkammer Österreich. This time trade union officials from all ten new member states were invited to learn about and discuss the European Company (SE) and related developments in this field. more
In Bratislava (23-24 September) the final conference of the project will take place. The conference aims to promote the idea of worker participation at board level in transnational companies such as the European Company (SE). It will bring together experts, practitioners, trade union officials and political decision-makers from both the 25 EU member states and the European level to discuss the meaning and experiences of worker participation rights at transnational level and the role these can play in building up the European Social Model. more
24 June 2005 COUNTRY REPORT: Transposition in LITHUANIA finished (by Tomas Davulis)
The law on worker involvement came into effect on 28 May 2005. The report examines and comments the Lithuanian transposition law. more
Lithuania is the 19th of the 28 countries (EU-25 plus Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein) having transposed the SE legislation. Click here to get more information about the state of transposition in the EU.
22 June 2005 - Updated tables: Board-level representation in the EU-25
The comparative table on worker participation at board level in the 25 EU member states has been updated again. The table is availabe in and 
10 May 2005 - PRESS RELEASE ETUC
EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT VOTE ON CROSS-BORDER MERGERS SUPPORTS THE OBLIGATORY RIGHT OF WORKERS TO BE INVOLVED, SAYS ETUC
The European Parliament today adopted the European directive on the cross-border merger of companies with share capital.
Although it represents some blackuction in workers’ potential involvement, the ETUC recognises that the standards achieved by the EU directive on workers’ participation in the European company (SE) have been maintained. Negotiations on the degree of workers’ board-level representation must be started in every case where different levels under national law are concerned or workers from one of the merging companies enjoyed this right before. Thus, no workers will lose their participation rights in a cross-border European merger. more
29 April 2005 - UPDATE: Transposition process in the NETHERLANDS
In the country report, Robbert van het Kaar reveals the most important aspects of the law transposing the SE Directive in the Netherlands, which enteblack into force beginning of April. more
Also the other parts of the Dutch country section have been updated (National debates / Research activities).
21 April 2005 - COUNTRY REPORT: Implementing the SE statute in NORWAY (by Inger Marie Hagen and Anne Mette Ødegård)
The SE legislation has now also been adopted in Norway. There has been little public debate in Norway concerning the SE or how to implement the Statute and the Directive. However, as the Norwegian system of employee participation is, by international comparison, among the very best what will be then be the possible consequences for the Norwegian system of codetermination and participation if a Norwegian company should become an SE? Will it be possible to maintain board representation at present levels? more
20 April 2005 - ARTICLE: Political state of play in the European Parliament concerning the merger directive
The ‘or’ remains an ‘or’ (and has not been changed into an ‘and’), but the ‘500’ and the ‘33 1/3’ are still there. Norbert Kluges article provides an overview on the state of play in the EP concerning the 10th Directive on mergers of cross-border companies. Kluge argues that again, from a trade union point of view – as with the SE provision –all that seems to have been achieved is prevention of the worst case scenario. more
31 March 2005 - NEWS: Transposition process
The Dutch law transposing the SE Directive was published in the Official Journal on 31 March and will enter into force on 1 April 2005.
Click here to see which countries have already transposed the SE legislation.
31 March 2005 - COUNTRY REPORT: ESTONIA (by Merle Muda)
The report provides an overview on the national system of employee involvement in Estonia. In Estonia, employees principally participate in employment relations via shop stewards elected by a trade union. Although existing legislation provides extensive rights for employees’ representatives, employees do not exercise these rights often because at many companies no employees’ representatives have been elected and furthermore, employees lack the necessary knowledge and skills. more
24 March 2005 - PUBLICATION: New ETUC & ETUI publication: Benchmarking Working Europe 2005
The ETUI/ETUC’s Benchmarking Working Europe 2005 monitors, for the fifth time, success and failure in the Lisbon-relevant fields of employment, social and macro-economic policies in the 25 European Union countries. The benchmarking report also includes a chapter on information, consultation and participation. more
24 March 2005 - ARTICLE available as download:
Workers' Involvement in Europe – A Still Unfinished Jigsaw
(Norbert Kluge)
The article tries to piece together elements that are normally viewed separately, forming a new basis for analysis and for coming up with political recommendations as how the pieces might be fit together in the endeavour to achieve a social Europe. The author stresses his main question: Are we moving towards a “europeanisation” of industrial relations and, if so, which factors may account for this? more
22 March 2005 - UPDATE COUNTRY REPORT Luxembourg (by Marc Feyereisen)
The Luxembourg Government has submitted to the Parliament (“Chamber of Deputies”) a draft law supplementing the European Company Statute in relation to the question of worker involvement. The Government stated the draft law as being of evident interest and urgency given that “the European Company represents an instrument that may well be of interest for attracting companies into the Luxembourg economy. more [The report is available in and ]
15 March 2005 - UPDATE COUNTRY REPORT PORTUGAL: The Process of Transposition: Landslide Victory for the Opposition in General Election May Postpone Transposition (by Reinhard Naumann)
10 March 2005 - UPDATE COUNTRY REPORT: The status of transposition of SE legislation in ITALY (by Marcello Ries)
On 2 March the Italian social partners signed a Common Opinion on transposition of the SE directive. At present the government has several options for the transposition of the directive into law. The most probable course of action would appear to be that used for the EWC directive, where a collective agreement became law by means of government decree. more
7 March 2005 - UPDATED COUNTRY REPORT: The status of transposition of SE legislation in GREECE (by Christos Ioannou)
NEW COUNTRY REPORTS: CYPRUS (by Christos Ioannou)
4 March 2005 - CALL FOR TENDER: SEEUROPE Website assistance
The contractee will provide assistance on a freelance basis for enhancing, updating and improving the website www.seeurope-network.org.
Candidates should send their bid to Norbert KLUGE ( e-mail: nkluge@etuc.org ) before 18 of March 2005
To download call for tender as pdf click here
2 March 2005 - COUNTRY REPORT: The status of transposition of SE legislation in ESTONIA (by Merle Muda)
The draft of the Employee Involvement Act passed three readings in the Riigikogu without extensive debate. The Riigikogu adopted the act on 12 January 2005. The Act was published in the Riigi Teataja (State Gazette) on 1 February 2005 and enteblack into force on 11 February 2005. The act harmonises Estonian law with two EC directives: the EWC Directive and the SE Directive. more
25 February 2005 - CALL FOR TENDER: SEEUROPE Expert Report
The contractee shall prepare a topical report on the interrelationship between workers' representation in administrative organs of companies and corporate governance with special regard to the European debate.
Candidates should send their bid to Norbert KLUGE ( e-mail: nkluge@etuc.org ) before 11 of March 2005
To download call for tender as pdf click here
9 February 2005 - MAP: Board-level participation in the 28 countries applying the SE legislation
9 February 2005 -  BENCHMARKING TABLE: Transposition of SE Directive into national law
The table provides comparative information on important issues in the national transposition of SE legislation (such as the appointment of national delegates to the special negotiating body).
9 February 2005 - UPDATED COUNTRY REPORT: The status of transposition of SE legislation in ITALY (by Marcello Ries)
During the week preceding Christmas 2004, the social partner delegations met to finalise a draft agreement on transposition of the SE directive. The meeting was successful. The resulting agreement must still be subject to internal discussion and approved by all the social partner organisations. more
2 February 2005 - NEW PROJECT: Participation and Representation of Employees at Board Level, and the opportunities offeblack by the SE - European Company, in the New EU-Member States
The project aims to improve awareness of the SE Directive in the new member states, to improve knowledge of national systems and cultures regarding worker participation at board level and to create a platform for exchange between “old” and “new” member states to develop an ongoing process of improving and increasing knowledge on the topic to a fixed group of experts coming specifically from the new member states.
1 February 2005 - COUNTRY REPORT: The current system of employee board-level representation in NORWAY (by Inger Marie Hagen)
In Norway, employees in both the private and the public sector have the right to nominate employee directors (up to one-third). However, employee board-level representation is not automatic: employees must request application of this legal right.
11 January 2005 - UPDATED COUNTRY REPORT on the transposition process in SLOVENIA (by Janja Bedrac)
First Steps towards implementation of the SE Statute in Slovenia. Despite Slovenia’s delay in implementing the SE Statute, there has for some time been agreement among commentators that the SE Regulation and the SE Directive should be implemented separately.
11 January 2005 - COUNTRY REPORT: CZECH Company Law and Employee Interest Representation (by Markéta Nekolová)
11 January 2005 - UPDATED COUNTRY REPORT on the transposition process in PORTUGAL (by Reinhard Naumann).
In Portugal, the transposition process is interrupted and will not be taken up again before the formation of a new government in March 2005.
5 January 2005 - SURVEY ON EMPLOYEE DIRECTORS IN DENMARK
The survey was made in collaboration with several Danish trade union organisations and reveals interesting results with regard to the self-assessment of Danish employee directors. Many of these employee directors have the impression that they really make a difference even though they can only make up a third of the board of directors. A 12p. summary is a available free of charge in .
[June 2004 - August 2004] [September 2004 - December 2004]
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