Abstract
European Works Councils (EWCs) have emerged as pivotal platforms for information and consultation in large multinational companies operating across Europe. Initially conceived as non-negotiating bodies, EWCs have evolved into laboratories for innovation in transnational industrial relations. The recent revision of Directive 2009/38/EC, approved by the European Parliament in October 2025, marks a significant advancement: it strengthens workers’ representatives’ rights, clarifies the scope of information and consultation, promotes best practices in social dialogue, and introduces stricter sanctions for rights violations. The new directive also recognizes the central role of trade unions and experts, enhances the protection of representatives, and broadens the definition of transnationality.
Within this framework, EWCs enable workers’ representatives to access strategic data and engage in dialogue with management on a wide range of issues, from economic and financial matters to employment, investment, and sustainability. While EWCs lack formal bargaining power, they have often reached agreements that exceed minimum legal requirements, addressing cross-border topics such as health and safety, social inclusion, artificial intelligence, and gender equality. Through active trade union participation and social dialogue, EWCs help reduce power imbalances between multinational corporations and workers, fostering more coordinated and less conflictual management of crises and reorganizations. The ongoing evolution of social dialogue and the increasing level of participation within EWCs can be key drivers of organisational competitiveness and resilience. By facilitating genuine involvement of workers in decision-making processes, EWCs foster mutual trust, shared responsibility, and innovative problem-solving. This participatory approach not only improves the quality of working life but also enables companies to adapt more effectively to challenges such as restructuring, digitalization, and sustainability, ultimately strengthening their capacity to thrive in a complex and rapidly changing European landscape.