European trade union federations update joint recommendations for European Works Council meetings

European trade union federations issued practical recommendations for members of special negotiating bodies, European Works Councils and European Councils in European societies in March 2020, when the COVID-19 outbreak hit Europe.

The recommendations were intended to guide how to anticipate and manage the impact of the Covid-19 crisis on employment and enterprises by adapting the functioning of SNBs, EWCs and EC-SE to these extraordinary circumstances.

Six months later, it has become clear that these exceptional situations remain and that social distancing and travel restrictions continue to prevent face-to-face meetings. Also, the rights to information, consultation and participation remain more valid than ever. That is why the European trade union federations have updated the recommendations made in March on the format of meetings because democracy does not stop with the COVID-19 crisis.