Revision of the European Works Councils Directive  

On May 21, 2025, the European Parliament and the Council of the European Union reached a preliminary agreement on the revision of the European Works Council Directive. The intention is to strengthen the position of the European Works Council, make it easier to set up an EWC and give the EWC more rights. Some examples of the proposed changes:

• The EWC must be involved in a decision-making process if a proposed decision is expected to affect employees in more than one member state.
• The director must respond to an EWC opinion before a decision can be taken.
• When establishing a new EWC, the aim should be to have at least 40% men and at least 40% women.
• The EWC should be able to meet physically with the management at least twice a year.
• Unions should be allowed at every EWC meeting.
• Fines may be imposed if rules are not followed.
• Secrecy may be imposed only with explicit justification and the EWC can object.

The proposal has yet to be formally approved. After the Directive takes effect, the Netherlands must implement the revision into national law within two years. It may therefore take some time before the proposed changes will take effect in the Netherlands.