Worker Participation

Abstract

Abstract This chapter explores EU law on worker participation through the lens of Catholic Social Teaching (CST). It begins by explaining the ethical justification for worker participation found in CST. The dignity of the human person means that workers should not be treated as mere commodities by their employers. Businesses are regarded as communities of persons, and workers should have a say in their organizations. Reflecting the principle of subsidiarity, participation will often be via intermediate associations, namely trade unions. EU law also upholds the idea that workers have a right to participate in the life of the undertaking. The chapter identifies the main instruments through which EU law has sought to substantiate worker participation. This has often taken the form of rights to be consulted and, for certain transnational companies, the creation of European Works Councils. CST does not propose a specific model of worker participation. Its values can, though, be used to scrutinize the sufficiency of existing laws. To that end, the chapter takes a critical perspective on EU law’s approach to the purpose of participation, the meaning of participation, and which workers are participating. In various ways, it finds that EU law falls short of the aspiration for participation found in CST. The latter prompts consideration of whether there is a need for the Union to strengthen its existing instruments.