BEL: an agreement that puts a European Works Council in place

On 20 June, cheese group Bel (which employs just over 5,500 across Europe) along with the SNB and with assistance from EFFAT (European Federation of Trade Unions in the Food, Agriculture and Tourism sectors), signed an agreement for the putting in place of a European Works Council. In terms of geographical scope the agreement includes Ukraine as well as Switzerland in the EWC’s remit and intends to maintain UK representatives under a no-deal Brexit scenario. Information will commence with a notice detailing the alternatives that were considered and the reasons they were not retained. The agreement includes a paragraph that details how the various levels of personnel representation will interact, with in addition the intentions for annual national level meetings between local HR bodies and EWC members as preparation for the annual EWC meeting.
Enjoy this article for free while you’re in your trial period
You have access to our content for 1 month.

Geographical scope. The agreement covers BEL group sites employing at least 20 staff within the EEA, and including Switzerland and Ukraine (less common) by local worker representatives. In Switzerland and Ukraine representatives will be nominated by the relevant trade unions during their meetings and failing that by local worker representatives. The agreement builds in Brexit by saying that ‘In the case of a country leaving the EU or the EEA, that country will remain under the scope of the agre

Do you have information to share with us?
What you absolutely must read this week
The essential content of the week selected by the editorial team.
See all
France: the consulting, engineering and digital sector (Betic) supports companies in their environmental transition
The news. Fédération Cinov, which represents consulting and engineering professions (1.2 million employees), signed a sector-wide agreement on July 9, 2026, concerning...
11 September 2026
AI: uneven integration but a global challenge for the world of work
The adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) in business is profoundly transforming the world of work, and some occupations are now under threat. However, the full extent of its effects remains...
France: Cabinet adopts pay transparency bill
After several months of delay beyond the European deadline of 7 June 2026, French Labour Minister Jean-Pierre Farandou finally presented the bill transposing the Pay Transparency Directive to the...
10 September 2026
France: bioMérieux strengthens its end-of-career support measures
The news. In vitro diagnostic specialist bioMérieux (4,400 employees in France) and unions CFDT, CFE-CGC, and CGT signed a new agreement on June 18, 2026, dedicated to end-of-career...
10 September 2026
Most viewed articles of the month on mind HR
What readers clicked on the most last month.
What readers clicked on the most last month.
1
Italy: artificial Intelligence on the menu of Barilla’s new company agreement
Prior consultation with trade unions on innovations related to artificial intelligence, strengthened training, and progress on parenthood: these are the main new features of the agreement signed...
2 September 2026
2
Italy: Enel signs agreement to manage the effects of AI on work
An agreement signed at the end of July by the electricity company Enel (31,000 employees) and the unions Filctem-Cgil, Flaei-Cisl, and Uiltec is pioneering in the Italian energy sector. It aims to...
7 September 2026
3
Germany: a high-tension start to the social and political year
The German government must finalize its major reforms (pension funding, corporate competitiveness, and labor law) while the chancellor’s popularity hits an all-time low and three regional...
4
United Kingdom: trade unions can now use electronic and workplace voting
The news. The provisions of the UK Employment Rights Act 2025 authorising electronic and workplace voting for trade union ballots came into force on Tuesday, 25 August. They apply to trade union...
5
Sweden: IF Metall union forced to end industrial dispute with Tesla
The news. After three years of conflict, the Swedish union IF Metall announced it would suspend its strike actions against Tesla starting Wednesday, August 19, after the American automaker...
6
France: the consulting, engineering and digital sector (Betic) supports companies in their environmental transition
The news. Fédération Cinov, which represents consulting and engineering professions (1.2 million employees), signed a sector-wide agreement on July 9, 2026, concerning...
11 September 2026