Working Programme:

Work-Package 3: Research

The second step in this activity involves preliminary research, to be undertaken in each partner country to identify the most important themes underlining the information, consultation and participation of representatives of undertakings and to bring to the fore the best practices employed. This research is expecting to bring to light the current traditions, procedures and best-practices, and the applicable laws related to the joining, setting up and running of a European Works Council. The best practices shall not be limited to the countries represented in the Consortium. The research shall employ a qualitative research methodology and shall also make use of secondary data. The reports shall be targeted towards worker’s representatives, representatives of undertakings, and employers associations in Malta, Cyprus and Estonia respectively. The research shall be coordinated by one partner of the consortium who shall oversee the research activities taking place in all countries of the consortium. The partner organisation leading the research work-package shall ensure that in research, the positions of the three parties of social dialogue (Government, Trade Unions and Employers Associations) are adequately represented. The data collected shall be made up of transcriptions, in English, of the qualitative interviews in carried out with the representatives of undertakings and employers associations who have direct involvement in a European Works Council. This workpackage shall be lead by SEK of Cyprus.

Deliverables:


 Data Collection

 Three 30-page reports, compiled in English one on each partner country.

 One 100-page report, compiled in English, based on the findings of the research carried out by each partner organisation on the strengths, weaknesses, and points of divergence and convergence of methods and traditions of information, consultation and participation of representatives of undertakings. The Report shall also highlight the existing barriers to the joining, establishment and setting up of European Works Councils. The report shall also propose informed and reasoned solutions to these barriers.