Solvay: agreement to maintain the UK within the scope of group’s EWC

The management at the Belgian chemicals group and members of its European Works Council have decided that “considering the importance of social dialogue in the company, the continuity should prevail and therefore the two current seats occupied by Solvay UK employees’ representatives shall remain, with equal rights and status, part of the Solvay EWC.” This decision comes as part of an amendment to the group’s EWC agreement, agreed on 15 March.
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“We find ourselves not with a legal issue but one of social dialogue: if an EU Member State leaves the EU, something not encountered before, does one mechanically apply the exit related consequences, i.e. the UK EWC members leave the council, or rather does one prioritize the continuity and quality of social dialogue?”, explained Jean-Christophe Sciberras, Group Industrial Relations Director. “It became clear to us that given the current changing and uncertain EU and Brexit environment, it was

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