The ETUC is also pleased that European Commission President José Manuel Barroso, in the European Parliament debate on the legislative work programme 2008 on Tuesday 13 November, confirmed his intention to submit a proposal to amend the European Works Councils Directive, to allow EWCs to anticipate and accompany restructuring.

Reiner Hoffmann, Deputy General Secretary of the ETUC, welcomed the fact that many employers nowadays recognise the added value of EWCs for companies. “This is real progress, in view of their opposition in the early ‘90s,.” he said. “Nevertheless, it is hard to understand why Businesseurope is opposing the revision so heavily. Certainly we must continue, together with the employers, to improve and develop further the work of EWCs. But at the same time the Commission has to come up with concrete proposals for the revision right now, to make sure that the procedure will be successfully completed by the end of 2008. Europe has to give a strong signal that in the context of globalisation and a fast-changing economy, workers’ rights must be strengthened.”