by the EESC Workers' Group

Earlier this month, the Workers' Group held a meeting to discuss a core issue for the trade union movement - democracy in the workplace. It is crucial that workers and their representatives are informed and consulted when it comes to decision-making within a company. Consultation promotes better pay and conditions for workers, which in turn increase productivity and workforce participation. Indeed, businesses that support democracy in the workplace perform significantly better and are more innovative. The ongoing green and digital transitions have underscored the urgent need to create a strong legislative framework that supports workplace democracy.

Oliver Röpke, President of the EESC Workers' Group, welcomed participants and outlined the impact the global pandemic and Russia's invasion of Ukraine have had on the European economy.

The event was then opened by Aurelio Fernández López, a member of the Spanish permanent representation to the EU, who assured the audience that democracy at work would be a key priority for the Spanish Presidency of the Council of the European Union.

Rolf Schmachtenberg, State Secretary at the German Federal Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs, gave the keynote speech. He explained how workers' participation and codetermination are the basis for Germany's economic success.

The second panel of the day concerned the role of workplace democracy in upholding labour standards in supply chains. Workers' Group member Maria del Carmen Barrera Chamorro drew on her opinion on decent work worldwide, which had recently been adopted. While she was supportive of the Commission's efforts in this area, she noted that current proposals exclude trade union and works council participation.

Summing up the debate, Oliver Röpke said that the afternoon's discussion would aid the EESC's ongoing work on the issue of workplace democracy, a subject that must be tackled by European trade unions working together in a joint endeavour. (lc)