Germany: the revision of the EWC directive arouses controversy

Adopted on July 2, 2008 by the European Commission (see our dispatch No. 080553), the proposal for the revision of the EWC directive was heavily criticized in Germany. The German Confederation of Trade Unions (DGB) thinks that the new directive is "inadequate" and wants "substantial improvements." On the other hand, the federation of German employers (BDA) thinks that the revision is "useless." (Ref. 080578)
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The DGB is disappointed. At the DGB’s headquarters in Berlin, disappointment is clearly discernable. “The Commission explained the directive by the fact that it would avoid, in the future, new social conflicts like when Nokia announced the closing of the Bochum factory (see our dispatch No. 080052). But this new text won’t prevent similar cases from happening” said Ralf-Peter Hayen, in charge of joint management and EWCs within the DGB’s management. Indeed, according to him, the draft directive

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