• · The amendments to the EWC Directive largely concern some new or revised procedural law provisions relating to the establishment of future EWCs, such as the revised arrangements on the composition of the Special Negotiating Body for negotiations with the central management or additional provisions concerning matters whose inclusion in an EWC agreement is now mandatory.

  • In this way the situation of plant workers’ representatives and of the trade unions in the founding of EWCs was improved and a basis formed, by means of several new provisions that now have to be included in EWC agreements, for making the work of the EWC more effective.

  • The provisions on cross-border information and consultation of employees and their representatives in the EWC have been refined significantly and clarifications provided on the forms of participation of workers’ representatives at national and European level. These approximate how things currently stand as regards the Directive on employee involvement in the European Company of 2002.

  • Finally, existing EWCs retain the right to renegotiate in the event of structural changes in the company, if practicable information and consultation of all employees in accordance with the agreed standard is no longer guaranteed.