COUNCIL CONCLUSIONS of 27 June 1997 on further discussion of worker involvement in the European Company (report by the Working Party of Experts on European Systems of Worker Involvement) (97/C 227/01)

THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,

1. NOTES the information provided by the Commission on the findings of the Working Party of Experts on European Systems of Worker Involvement;

2. CONSIDERS that the approach proposed constitutes a constructive contribution for reviving discussion of worker involvement in the European Company;

3. CONSIDERS that the graduated approach is one possible way of facilitating a solution to the complex problem of identifying forms of constitution of the European Company; this is particularly the case, in view of the important role played by the social partners, with regard to the promotion of free negotiation between the parties, accompanied, if it is to be effective, by a reference framework for worker involvement in the European Company if negotiation fails;

4. CONSIDERS that, in the light of the findings of the Working Party of Experts, a full debate needs to be held in Council on the problem in general and on the arrangements for worker involvement in the European Company, taking into account the diversity of national systems, the role of the social partners and the contributions made so far, in particular in response to the Commission communication of 14 November 1995 on worker information and consultation.