Germany: Hans Böckler foundation reveals that the European Company status isn’t used to reduce employee representativeness

134 “real” SEs. The analysis presented on April 23rd by the legal department of the Hans Böckler foundation is based on recent data (March 2010) about the adoption of the SE status in the EU since 2005. To this day, 538 SEs have been created. However, a great deal of them doesn’t have a real activity, employees or even a corporate name. They are empty shells waiting for a “user” interested in an existing structure. The analysis lists 134 “real” SEs, and more than half of these (72) are German. Out of these, Roland Köstler, lawyer at the Hans Böckler, says that only 32 used to be joint stock companies (AG), and 17 are listed on the stock exchange. Thus, there wasn’t a movement of “escape” from AG to SE as some feared. The lawyer also denies the argument that German businesses are using the SE as a way to reduce employee representation levels imposed by co-management rules.
Enjoy this article for free while you’re in your trial period
You have access to our content for 1 month.

al of them doesn’t have a real activity, employees or even a corporate name. They are empty shells waiting for a “user” interested in an existing structure. The analysis lists 134 “real” SEs, and more than half of these (72) are German. Out of these, Roland Köstler, lawyer at the Hans Böckler, says that only 32 used to be joint stock companies (AG), and 17 are listed on the stock exchange. Thus, there wasn’t a movement of “escape” from AG to SE as some feared. The lawyer also denies the argumen

…
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: EDF served formal notice for failure to comply with its sustainability due diligence obligations
The news. On 23 September, Greenpeace France announced that it had served EDF with a formal notice for failure to comply with its sustainability due diligence obligations due to the risks of harm...
24 September 2026
Austria: National Council adopts tax bonus for post-retirement work 
The News. The Austrian National Council (lower house of parliament) passed an active retirement law (Aktivpension) on 23 September. The text introduces a tax allowance of up to €1,250 per...
Germany: IG Metall demands 5% pay rise amid severe pressure
Despite the crisis hitting the automotive industry, the leadership of the German trade union IG Metall announced on Wednesday 23 September that it would be asking for a 5% pay increase as well as...
23 September 2026
Florent Rispoli (ADP): “Our goal is to take an open and inclusive approach to parenthood”
Appointed in November 2025 as Vice President Human Ressources for France and Switzerland at ADP (2,000 employees in France), a specialist in HR management and payroll solutions, Florent Rispoli...
23 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
France: Medef puts forward proposals to improve management quality
On 31 August, Medef, French main employers' organisation, published a practical guide to managerial skills, which it considers to be a driver of economic performance for businesses. Concerned by...
2
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...
3
France: Ministry of Labour unveils plan to accelerate the rollout of AI
On 22 September, the French Ministry of Labour presented a plan named Impulsion IA 2027 aimed at accelerating the adoption of AI by companies and employees. It contains 12 measures applicable from...
4
Germany: AfD victory in Saxony-Anhalt raises concerns over labour supply and workplace cohesion
The rise of Germany’s far-right AfD, which could soon gain influence over migration policy in Saxony-Anhalt and, following elections on September 20, in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania as well, is...
5
Netherlands: towards a ban on housing cost deductions from migrant workers’ wages
The news. On September 10, Dutch Minister of Social Affairs and Employment Hans Vijlbrief (centre-left) sent a letter to the House of Representatives, stating that he intends to prohibit employers...
6
UE: Commission proposes measures to facilitate “fair” worker mobility across the Union
The info. On 15 September, the European Commission adopted a series of measures aimed at encouraging “fair” worker mobility within the EU. It wants to remove the administrative...