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All workers, with the exception of members of the Armed Forces and Armed
Forces institutes, judges, magistrates and public prosecutors are freely
entitled to join a trade union to defend their economic and social interests.
Most Representative Trade Union Organisations
At National Level
These make up 10 percent or more of the total of personnel representatives of
the members of company works councils and public administration bodies.
At Autonomous Community Level
These trade unions account for at least 15 percent of personnel
representatives, workers' representatives in company works councils and public
administration bodies, provided they have a minimum of 1,500 representatives and
are neither affiliated nor have formed a confederation with national trade union
organisations.
Workers Participation in a Company
A worker's right to participate in a company is coordinated by means of
Personnel Representatives and Works Committees, without prejudice to other forms
of participation.
Personnel Representatives
This is the representation of workers in a company or workplace, provided the
latter have more than 10 and less than 50 workers. There may also be a personnel
representative in companies or workplaces that have between six and 10 workers
if a majority of the latter decides this.
Up to 30 workers will be represented by one personnel representative, and
between 31 and 49 workers will be represented by three personnel
representatives.
The Works Committee is the collegiate representative body of all workers in a
company or workplace with 50 or more workers.
The constitution and operation of an inter workplace committee may be agreed
by collective agreement, with a maximum of 13 members.
All national or foreign workers in a company or workplace who are over 16 years
of age with at least one month's length of service may vote for representatives.
National or foreign workers of at least 18 years of age who have at least six
months' length of service in a company, except in activities in which, due to
staff mobility, a shorter period is agreed by collective agreement, with a
minimum of three months' length of service, may be elected.
The European Works Council
Set up to improve the right to information and to consultation of employees
in Community scale undertakings and Community scale groups of undertakings.
Community scale undertakings are those with workplaces in various EU and EEA
countries, provided they employ at least 1,000 workers within the Member States.
And that the undertaking employs in at least two different Member States at
least 150 workers in each.
A Community scale group of undertakings employs at least 1,000 workers
throughout the Member States. At least two of the undertakings are located in
different countries and employ at least 150 workers in each.
Text last edited on: 06/2005
Source: European Union
© European Communities
Reproduction is authorised.
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