Works Councils Act - Sociaal-Economische Raad (SER) · The SER (Sociaal-Economische Raad, Social and Economic Council) is an important advisory body to the Dutch government and the

1 | Works Councils Act

Works Councils ActEnglish translation of the Dutch text of the

Works Councils Act (Wet op de ondernemingsraden)

TRANSLATION

SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC COUNCIL



Table of Contents

Preface 4

The SER and its mission 4

I General provisions 5

II The establishment of a Works Council 5

III Composition of the Works Council and procedures 8

IV Consultation with the Works Council 15

IV-A Special powers of the Works Council 18

IV-B Informing the Works Council 23

IV-C Additional powers of the Works Council 26

V Central Works Councils and Group Works Councils 27

V-A Employee participation in small enterprises 28

VI Rules of arbitration 31

VII Joint Sectoral Committees 32

VII-A Special duty of the Social and Economic Council 34

VII-B Special provisions for Works Councils in the Public Sector 35

VIII Transitional and final provisions 36


Preface

ThispublicationcontainstheEnglishtranslationoftheDutchWorksCouncilsAct(Wetopdeondernemingsraden).ThetranslationreflectsthetextoftheActasofJune2019.Pleasenotethatthetranslationhasnolegalforceandisprovidedforpracticalpurposesonly.Intheeventofanydispute,referenceshouldalwaysbemadetotheDutchoriginal.

Besidesthispublication,theSERalsopublishesModel Rules of Procedure for Works Councils,anEnglishversionofitsVoorbeeldreglement Ondernemingsraden.ThisisdesignedtomakeiteasierforWorksCouncils,staffandmanagementtosetupaWorksCouncil.FurtherdetailscanbefoundontheSERwebsite:www.ser.nl

The SER and its mission

TheSER(Sociaal-EconomischeRaad,SocialandEconomicCouncil)isanimportantadvisorybodytotheDutchgovernmentandtheparliament.TheSERadvises(uponrequestoratitsowninitiative)onallmajornationalandinternationalsocialandeconomicissuesandpolicies.TheSERalsohasanadministrativerole,asinstitutedbylaw.TheSERwasestablishedin1950.TheSERisfinancedbyindustry,andiswhollyindependentfromthegovernment.

TheSERcomprisesrepresentativesofemployers’andemployees’organisationsandindependentexperts.Itaimstocontributetogreaterprosperityinsocietybyestablishingaconsensusonnationalandinternationalsocio-economicissues.Indoingso,itaimsforbothqualityandconsensus,intheformofahighlevelofexpertisecombinedwithabroadbasisofagreementandpublicsupport.

OneofthedutiesoftheSERistoencourageemployeeparticipationinenterprises.

Formoreinformation,pleasevisittheSERwebsite:www.ser.nl


I General provisions

Article 1

1 ForthepurposesofthisAct,thetermsgivenbelowshallhavethefollowingmeanings:a OurMinister:OurMinisterofSocialAffairsandEmployment;b TheCouncil(SER):TheSocialandEconomicCounciloftheNetherlands,asmentionedin

theSocialandEconomicCouncilAct(WetopdeSociaal-EconomischeRaad);c Enterprise:Anyorganisationoperatinginthecommunityasanindependententityin

whichworkisperformedonthebasisofaprivate-laworpublic-lawemploymentcontract;d Entrepreneur:Anynaturalpersonorlegalpersoncarryingonanenterprise;e Director:Anindividualwho,aloneorjointlywithothers,exercisesthehighestdirect

authorityinmanagingworkwithinanenterprise;f JointSectoralCommittee[Bedrijfscommissie]:theauthorisedJointSectoralCommittee,as

mentionedinArticles37and46.2 ForthepurposesofthisAct,personsshallbedeemedtobeworkinginanenterpriseiftheyare

engagedinworkthereonthebasisofeitherapublic-lawemploymentcontractoronthebasisofanemploymentcontractwiththeentrepreneurcarryingontheenterprise.Personsworkinginmorethanoneenterpriseoperatedbythesameentrepreneurshallbedeemedtobeworkingintheenterprisefromwhichtheirworkismanaged.

3 ForthepurposesofthisAct,thefollowingpersonsshallalsobedeemedtobepersonsworkinginanenterprise:a Anyonewho,inthecontextoftheactivitiesofanenterprise,havebeenworkingfor

thesaidenterpriseforatleast24monthsonthebasisofacontractwithatemporaryemploymentagency[uitzendovereenkomst],asdefinedintheDutchCivilCode[BurgerlijkWetboek],Book7.10,Article690;and,

b Anyoneworkingforanentrepreneur,eitheronthebasisofapublic-lawemploymentcontractoronthebasisofanemploymentcontractwiththesaidentrepreneur,withinanenterprisebeingcarriedonbyadifferententrepreneur.

4 ForthepurposesofthisAct,thedirectorordirectorsofanenterpriseshallnotbedeemedtobepersonsworkingintheenterprise.

II The establishment of a Works Council

Article 2

1 Anyentrepreneurcarryingonanenterpriseinwhichnormallyatleast50personsareworkingshall,intheinterestsoftheproperfunctioningoftheenterprisewithrespecttoallitsobjectives,establishaWorksCouncilinordertoensuretheproperconsultationandrepresentationofthepersonsworkingintheenterprise,andinordertobeabletocomplywithanyrequirementsoforpursuanttothisActthatrelatetothesaidWorksCouncil.


2 If,atanytimesubsequenttotheestablishmentofaWorksCouncil,therearenormallyfewerthan50personsworkingintheenterprise,theWorksCouncilshallautomaticallyceasetoexistupontheexpiryofitscurrenttermofoffice,unlesstheentrepreneurimplementsArticle5a,paragraph(2).

Article 3

1 Anyentrepreneurcarryingontwoormoreenterprisesinwhich,jointly,normallyatleast50personsareworkingshallestablishaJointWorksCouncilforoneormoreoftheseenterprisesifthisisintheinterestsoftheproperimplementationofthisActwithintheenterprisesconcerned.

2 Paragraph(1)shallalsoapplymutatismutandistoanygroupofassociatedentrepreneurscarryingontwoormoreenterprisesinwhich,jointly,normallyatleast50personsareworking.TheentrepreneursconcernedshalldesignateoneoftheirnumbertoactontheirbehalfasentrepreneurforthepurposesofthisActindealingswiththeJointWorksCouncil.

3 AnyenterprisesforwhichaJointWorksCouncilisestablishedshallbedeemedtobeasingleenterpriseforthepurposesofthisAct.

Article 4

1 Anyentrepreneurcarryingonanenterpriseinwhichnormallyatleast50personsareworkingshallestablishaseparateWorksCouncilforpartofthatenterpriseifthisisintheinterestsoftheproperimplementationofthisActwithintheenterprise.

2 AnypartofanenterpriseforwhichaseparateWorksCouncilisestablishedshallbedeemedtobeanenterpriseforthepurposesofthisAct.

Article 5

1 IfexceptionalcircumstancespreventtheproperimplementationoftheActwithinagivenenterprise,theCouncil(SER)may,attherequestoftheentrepreneurcarryingontheenterpriseinquestion,granttheentrepreneur,foramaximumperiodoffiveyears,writtenexemptionfromtheobligationtoestablishaWorksCouncil.TheCouncil(SER)canonlygrantsuchanexemptioniftheentrepreneurhastakenstepstoensurecompliancewithparagraphs(7)and(8)regardingtheinformationprovidedtoandtheconsultationwithemployeesonthemattersmentionedinparagraph(6).

2 TheCouncil(SER)shallmakeitpossibleforemployees’organisations,asmentionedinArticle9,paragraph(2)(a),toexpresstheirviewsontherequestforexemption.

3 TheCouncil(SER)mayattachconditionstoanyexemption.4 TheobligationmentionedinArticle2,paragraph(1),shallnotapplyuntilanirrevocable

decisionhasbeenpassedconcerningtherequestforexemption.


5 ForthepurposesofthisArticle,thetermsgivenbelowshallhavethefollowingmeanings:a Information:Theprovisionofinformationanddatabytheentrepreneurtothe

employeessothattheycanacquaintthemselveswiththesubjectmatterandscrutiniseit;b Consultation:Theexchangeofideasandthecreationofadialoguebetweenemployees

andtheentrepreneur.6 Informationandconsultationshallcomprise:

a Informationonrecentandlikelydevelopmentsrelatingtotheactivitiesandeconomicstateoftheenterprise;

b Informationandconsultationrelatingtothestate,structureandlikelydevelopmentsofthejobsituationwithinthecompany,aswellasanymeasuresplannedtopre-emptsuchdevelopments,particularlyinrespectofanycircumstancesposingathreattoemployment;

c Informationandconsultationconcerningdecisionsthatmayentailsubstantialchangesineitherthewayworkisorganisedorinemploymentcontracts.

7 Thenatureoftheinformationprovided,aswellasthetimeandmannerinwhichitisprovided,shouldbesuchthatemployeescanadequatelystudytheinformationand,ifnecessary,preparefortheconsultation.

8 Consultationshalltakeplace:a Atanappropriatetime,usingappropriatemeansandinrespectofappropriatesubject

matter;b Atalevelofmanagementandrepresentationappropriatetothesubjecttobediscussed;c Onthebasisoftheinformationtobeprovidedbytheentrepreneurandanyadvice

providedbytheemployees;d Insuchawaythattheemployeescanmeettheentrepreneurtoheartheentrepreneur’s

responsetotheiradviceandthegroundsuponwhichthatresponsewasarrivedat;e Withtheaimofachievingagreementonthosedecisionsmentionedinparagraph(6)(c),

thatliewithinthepoweroftheentrepreneurtotake.

Article 5a

1 AllrequirementsoforpursuanttothisActshallalsoapplytoanyentrepreneurwhoisobliged,pursuanttoacollectivelabouragreementoranarrangementrelatingtotermsofemploymentlaiddownbyabodyunderpubliclaw,toestablishaWorksCouncilforanenterprisewhichhecarrieson.IfthesaidcollectivelabouragreementorarrangementrelatingtotermsofemploymentlaiddownbyabodyunderpubliclawceasestoobligetheentrepreneurtoestablishaWorksCouncil,thesaidWorksCouncilshallautomaticallyceasetoexistupontheexpiryofitscurrentperiodofoffice,unlesstheentrepreneurimplementsparagraph(2).

2 Anentrepreneurwhoisnot,orisnolonger,underanyobligationtoestablishormaintainaWorksCouncilmaynonethelessdecidetodoso,athisdiscretion.ThestipulationsofthisActshallthenapplyasofthemomentthattheentrepreneurgiveswrittennotificationofanysuchdecisiontotheJointSectoralCommittee.Ifcircumstanceschangematerially,theentrepreneurmaydissolvethesaidWorksCouncilattheendofitsthencurrenttermofoffice.TheentrepreneurshallinformtheJointSectoralCommitteeinwritingofanydecisiontodissolvetheWorksCouncil.


III Composition of the Works Council and procedures

Article 6

1 ThemembersofaWorksCouncilshallbedirectlyelectedbythepersonsworkingintheenterprisefromtheirownranks.Inanenterprise:withfewerthan50persons,thereshallbe3members;with50to100persons,thereshallbe5members;with100to200persons,thereshallbe7members;with200to400persons,thereshallbe9members;with400to600persons,thereshallbe11members;with600to1000persons,thereshallbe13members;with1000to2000persons,thereshallbe15members;

andsoforth,withanadditional2membersforeveryfurther1,000persons,uptoamaximumof25members.InitsRulesofProcedure[reglement],theWorksCouncilmay,withthepermissionoftheentrepreneur,decideuponadifferentnumberofmembersandmayalsodecidetoelectadeputyforoneormoremembersoftheWorksCouncil.DeputyWorksCouncilmembersshallenjoythesamerightsandobligationsasthemembersforwhomtheydeputise.

2 Personswhohavebeenworkingintheenterpriseforatleast6monthsshallbeeligibletovote.3 Personswhohavebeenworkingintheenterpriseforatleast12monthsshallbeeligibleto

standforelection.4 IftheentrepreneurandtheWorksCouncilconsiderthatitwillbeintheinterestsofthe

properimplementationofthisActintheenterprise,theymayjointlydesignateaspersonsworkingintheenterpriseoneormoregroupsofpersonswhoregularlyperformworkintheenterprisebutwhosestatusinthisregardisnotprovidedforinanyemploymentcontractwiththeentrepreneurorinanypublic-lawemploymentcontract.TheentrepreneurandtheWorksCouncilmayjointlymutatismutandisceasetodesignateoneormoregroupsofsuchpersonsaspersonsworkingintheenterprise.IftheWorksCouncilandtheentrepreneurfailtoagree,eitherpartymayrequestthejudgeofthesub-districtsector[kantonrechter]todecideinthematter.

5 TheWorksCouncilmayincorporateintoitsRulesofProcedureregulationsthatdifferfromthoseinparagraphs(2)and(3)withregardtoperiodofservicewiththeenterpriseifthisisintheinterestsoftheproperimplementationofthisActwithintheenterprise.

6 ThenumberofmembersoftheWorksCouncilmaynotbechangedduringthetermofofficeoftheWorksCouncilonthegroundsofanyincreaseorreductioninthenumberofpersonsworkingintheenterprise.

Article 7

TheWorksCouncilshallelectachairmanandoneormoredeputychairmenfromitsnumber.Thechairman,orinthechairman’sabsence,adeputychairman,shallbethelegalrepresentativeoftheWorksCouncil.


Article 8

1 TheWorksCouncilshalldrawupRulesofProcedurecoveringmatterswhichinorpursuanttothisActareentrustedtoitorlefttoitforregulation.ThesaidRulesofProcedureshallcontainnostipulationswhichconflictwiththeActorwhichhindertheproperimplementationoftheAct.PriortoapprovingitsRulesofProcedure,theWorksCouncilshallgivetheentrepreneuranopportunitytoexpresshisviews.TheWorksCouncilshallimmediatelyprovidetheentrepreneurwithacopyofitsRulesofProcedure.

2 WithregardtothecontentsoftheRulesofProcedure,theCouncil(SER)mayestablishfurtherregulationsbydecreeforallenterprisesorforagroupofenterprises.Inthelattercase,therelevantJointSectoralCommitteeshallbeheard.AdecreefromtheCouncil(SER)shallrequiretheapprovalofOurMinister.AnysuchapprovalshallbepublishedintheGovernmentGazette[Staatscourant].

3 IftheCouncilissuesadecreeasmentionedinparagraph(2),theWorksCouncilsaffectedshall,withintwelvemonthsofthepublicationoftheapproveddecreeintheGovernmentGazette,amendanyprovisionsintheirRulesofProcedureinconflictwiththedecreesoastocomplywithit.

Article 9

1 MembersoftheWorksCouncilshallbeelectedbysecretwrittenballotfromoneormorelistsofcandidates.

2 Alistofcandidatesmaybesubmittedby:a Anyemployees’organisationwhosemembershipincludespersonsworkinginthe

enterprisewhoareeligibletovote,whoseobjectaccordingtoitsArticlesofAssociationistoprotecttheinterestsofitsmembersasemployeesandwhichoperatesassuchintherelevantenterpriseorindustrialsector,andwhichmoreoverhashadfulllegalcompetenceforatleasttwoyears,providedthatithasconsulteditsmembersintheenterpriseonthecompositionofthelistofcandidates.Indeterminingwhethertheorganisationmeetstherequirementoftwoyears’fulllegalcompetence,inthecaseofanorganisationthat,pursuanttoitsArticlesofAssociation,maybeconsideredthecontinuationofoneormoreotheremployees’organisationshavingfulllegalcompetence,accountshallbetakenoftheperiodofthefulllegalcompetenceofthesaidorganisationororganisations.

b Anyperson(orgroupofpersons)workingintheenterprisewhoiseligibletovotebutwhoisnotamemberofanorganisationasmentionedin(a)thathassubmittedalistofcandidates.

3 TheWorksCouncilmaystipulateinitsRulesofProcedurethat,forcertaingroupsofpersonsworkingintheenterpriseorforcertainpartsoftheenterprise,separatelistsofcandidatesshallbesubmittedfromwhichthesaidpersonsorpartsaretoelectthenumberofWorksCouncilmembersspecifiedintheRulesofProcedure.IftheWorksCouncilexercisesthispower,therequirementslaiddowninparagraph(2)regardingthesubmissionoflistsofcandidatesshallapplyseparatelytoeverygrouporpartsodesignated.


4 TheWorksCouncilshall,ifthisisintheinterestsoftheproperimplementationofthisActintheenterprise,includeprovisionsinitsRulesofProceduretoensurethatthevariousgroupsofpersonsworkingintheenterprisearerepresentedintheWorksCouncilasfullyaspossible.

Article 10

TheWorksCouncilshalllaydownadditionalrulesinitsRulesofProcedurerelatingtocandidature,electionsandthedeterminationofelectionresults,andtothefillingofinterimvacanciesintheWorksCouncil.

Article 11

1 TheWorksCouncilshallensurethattheentrepreneur,thepersonsworkingintheenterpriseandthosewhohavesubmittedlistsofcandidatesarenotifiedoftheresultsoftheelections.

2 ItshallensurethatthenamesandpositionsheldintheenterprisebythemembersoftheWorksCouncilarepermanentlyondisplayinaplacefreelyaccessibletoallpersonsworkingintheenterpriseandarepresentedclearly.

Article 12

1 ThemembersoftheWorksCouncilshallallresignsimultaneouslyeverythreeyears.Theyshallbeimmediatelyeligibleforre-election.

2 TheWorksCouncilmaylaydowninitsRulesofProcedurethat,contrarytoparagraph(1),themembersshallallresignsimultaneouslyeverytwoyearsoreveryfouryears,orthathalftheirnumbershallresigneverytwoyears.TheWorksCouncilmayalsoimposelimitationsregardingeligibilityforre-election.

3 ThetermofofficeofamemberoftheWorksCouncilshallterminateautomaticallywhenthesaidmemberceasestobeapersonworkingintheenterprise.

4 MembersoftheWorksCouncilmayresigntheirmembershipatanytime.TheyshallnotifytheChairmanandtheentrepreneurinwritingofanysuchresignation.

5 Anyonefillinganinterimvacancyshallresignatthetimeatwhichthepersonbeingreplacedwouldhavebeenrequiredtoresign.

Article 13

1 AttherequestoftheentrepreneurortheWorksCouncil,thejudgeofthesub-districtsectormaybaraWorksCouncilmemberfromparticipatingintheactivitiesoftheWorksCouncil,thedurationofthebarbeingatthesubdistrictcourtjudge’sdiscretion.AnysuchrequestmayonlybemadebytheentrepreneuronthegroundsthattheWorksCouncilmemberin


questionisseriouslyhinderingconsultationmeetingsbetweentheWorksCouncilandtheentrepreneur,orbytheWorksCouncilonthegroundsthatthepartyinquestionisseriouslyhinderingtheworkoftheWorksCouncil.

2 Priortothesubmissionofanyrequest,thepartywhoisthesubjectoftherequestshallbegivenanopportunitytoexpresshisviewsonthematter.TheentrepreneurandtheWorksCouncilshallnotifyeachotheriftheysubmitanysuchrequestasmentionedinparagraph(1).

Article 14

1 TheWorksCouncilshallestablishRulesofProceduretogovernitsproceedings.2 TheRulesofProcedureshallcontainprovisionsregulatingatleastthefollowingmatters:

a TheoccasionsuponwhichtheWorksCouncilshallmeetforthepurposesofperformingitsduties;

b ThemannerinwhichWorksCouncilmeetingsaretobeconvened;c Thenumberofmemberspresentconstitutingaquorum;d Thewaysinwhichtherighttovoteatmeetingsmaybeexercised;e Theprovisionofasecretariat;f ThemannerinwhichtheagendaforWorksCouncilmeetingsistobedrawnupandthe

mannerinwhichtheentrepreneur,themembersoftheWorksCouncilandotherpersonsworkingintheenterprisearetobenotifiedofit;

g Thelatestdateuponwhichtheentrepreneur,themembersoftheWorksCouncilandtheotherpersonsworkingintheenterprisearetobenotifiedoftheagenda,thisdatebeing,exceptinthecaseofurgentmatters,atleast7daysbeforethemeeting;

h ThetakingoftheminutesofWorksCouncilmeetingsandthedrawingupoftheannualreportoftheWorksCouncil,andthemannerinwhichthesearetobemadeavailabletotheentrepreneur,themembersoftheWorksCouncilandtheotherpersonsworkingintheenterprise.

Article 15

1 TheWorksCouncilmaysetupanycommitteeswhichtheWorksCouncilmayreasonablybedeemedtorequireinordertoperformitsduties.TheWorksCouncilshallnotifytheentrepreneurinwritingofitsintentiontosetupanysuchcommittee,statingtheduties,compositionandpowersofthecommitteeandtheproceduresitistofollow.Iftheentrepreneurobjects,theWorksCouncilmayrequestthejudgeofthesub-districtsectortodecideonthematter.

2 TheWorksCouncilmay,withdueobservanceofparagraph(1),setupstandingcommitteestodealwithanymattersitmayspecify.Initsdecisiontosetupastandingcommittee,theWorksCouncilmaytransferinwholeorinparttothesaidcommitteeitsrightsandpowerswithrespecttothematterssospecified,withtheexceptionofitspowertoinstitutelegalproceedings.ThemajorityofthemembersofastandingcommitteeshallbemembersoftheWorksCouncil.Theothermembersmaybeotherpersonsworkingintheenterprise.


3 TheWorksCouncilmay,withdueobservanceofparagraph(1),setupcommitteesforpartsoftheenterprisetodealwithmattersconcerningthesaidpartsoftheenterprise.Initsdecisiontosetupanysuchcommittee,theWorksCouncilmaygrantthecommitteepowertoconsultwiththemanageroftherelevantpartoftheenterprise.Inthatcase,therightsandpowersoftheWorksCouncilwithrespecttomattersrelatingtothesaidpartoftheenterpriseshall,unlesstheWorksCouncilitselfdecidestotakeactiononaparticularmatter,betransferredtothecommittee,withtheexceptionofitspowertoinstitutelegalproceedings.AtleastonememberofsuchacommitteeshallbeamemberoftheWorksCouncil.Allothermembersshallbepersonsworkinginthepartoftheenterpriseinquestion.

4 TheWorksCouncilmay,withdueobservanceofparagraph(1),setupcommitteestopreparematterstobedealtwithbytheWorksCouncil.SuchpreparatorycommitteesmaynotexerciseanypowersorrightsbelongingtotheWorksCouncil.Apreparatorycommitteemayonlybesetupforalimitedperiodoftime,tobespecifiedbytheWorksCouncilinitsdecisiontosetupthecommitteeinquestion.AtleastonememberofsuchacommitteeshallbeamemberoftheWorksCouncil.OthermembersofthecommitteemaybepersonsworkingintheenterprisewhoarenotmembersoftheWorksCouncil.

5 Article13shallapplymutatismutandistomembersofWorksCouncilcommitteeswhoarenotmembersoftheWorksCouncil.

Article 16

1 TheWorksCouncilmayinviteoneormoreexpertstoattendaWorksCouncilmeetinginconnectionwiththediscussionofaparticularsubject.SuchinvitationsmayalsobeextendedtooneormoredirectorsoftheenterpriseortooneormorepersonsasmentionedinArticle24,paragraph(2).

2 Atthemeeting,membersoftheWorksCouncilmayaskthepersonsmentionedinparagraph(1)forinformationandadvice.

3 Anexpertmayalsobeinvitedtosubmitadviceinwriting.4 TheaboveparagraphsshallapplymutatismutandistoWorksCouncilcommittees.

Article 17

1 TheentrepreneurshallallowtheWorksCouncil,itscommitteesand,iftheentrepreneurhasestablishedthepostofsecretarytotheWorksCouncil,thesecretarytotheWorksCounciltouseanyfacilitiesthathemayhaveathisdisposalinhiscapacityasentrepreneurandwhichtheWorksCouncilanditscommitteesmayreasonablybedeemedtorequireinordertoperformtheirduties.TheentrepreneurshallenabletheWorksCouncilanditscommitteestoconsultallpersonsworkingintheenterpriseandshallenablethesaidpersonstoparticipateinsuchconsultation,insofarasmayreasonablybedeemedtobenecessaryforthemembersoftheWorksCouncilanditscommitteestoperformtheirduties.

2 TheWorksCouncilanditscommitteesshallasfaraspossibleholdtheirmeetingsduringnormalworkinghours.


3 MembersoftheWorksCouncilandmembersofWorksCouncilcommitteesshallretaintheirentitlementtofullpayorremunerationforthetimeduringwhichtheydonotperformtheworkspecifiedintheiremploymentcontractowingtotheirattendanceatameetingoftheWorksCounciloroneofitscommittees.

Article 18

1 Foraspecifiedtotalnumberofhoursperyear,tobeagreeduponjointlybytheWorksCouncilandtheentrepreneur,theentrepreneurshallgivemembersoftheWorksCouncilanditscommitteesanopportunityduringworkinghoursandwithfullpayorremunerationtomeetinmutualconsultationandtoconsultwithotherpersonsonmattersrelatingtotheperformanceoftheirdutiesandforthepurposesofacquaintingthemselveswiththeworkingconditionsintheenterprise.

2 Foracertainnumberofdaysperyear,tobeagreeduponjointlybytheWorksCouncilandtheentrepreneur,theentrepreneurshallgivemembersoftheWorksCouncilanditsstandingcommitteesandcommitteesforpartsoftheenterpriseasmentionedinArticle15,paragraphs(2)and(3)respectively,anopportunityduringworkinghoursandwithfullpayorremunerationtoundergoanytraininganddevelopmentofsufficientqualitywhichtheydeemnecessarytoenablethemtoperformtheirduties.

3 TheentrepreneurandtheWorksCouncilshallsetthenumberofhours,asmentionedinparagraph(1),andthenumberofdays,asmentionedinparagraph(2),atatotalwhichmaybedeemedtobereasonableinordertoenablemembersoftheWorksCouncilanditscommitteestoperformtheirduties,withtheprovisothatthetotalnumberofhoursshallbeatleastsixtyperyearandthetotalnumberofdaysshallbeasfollows:a Foramemberofoneofthecommitteesmentionedinparagraph(2)whoisnotalsoa

memberoftheWorksCouncil,atleastthreedaysperyear;b ForamemberoftheWorksCouncilwhoisnotamemberofacommitteementionedin

paragraph(2),atleastfivedaysperyear;andc ForamemberoftheWorksCouncilwhoisalsoamemberofacommittee,atleasteight

daysperyear.4 TheWorksCouncil,oranymemberoftheWorksCounciloranyofitscommittees,may

requestthejudgeofthesub-districtsectortorulethattheentrepreneurmustcomplywiththeprovisionsofparagraphs(1),(2)and(3).

Article 19

(Nolongerinforce)


Article 20

1 MembersoftheWorksCouncilandmembersofitscommittees,aswellasanyexpertsconsultedinaccordancewithArticle16,shalltreatallbusinessandindustrialsecretswhichmaycometotheirknowledgeinthesaidcapacityinstrictconfidence,andalsoallmatterswithrespecttowhichtheentrepreneur,theWorksCouncilortherelevantWorksCouncilcommitteehasimposedanobligationofconfidentiality,orwhoseconfidentialnaturetheymaybeexpectedtounderstandonaccountofanobligationofconfidentialitybeingimposed.Anyintentiontoimposeanobligationofconfidentialityshould,wherepossible,beannouncedbeforethematterinquestionisdealtwith.Thepartyimposingtheobligationofconfidentialityshallalsoatthesametimegivenoticeofwhichoralorwritteninformationistobesubjecttotheobligation,howlongtheobligationistolastandwhetherthereareanypartieswithrespecttowhomtheobligationneednotbeobserved.

2 Paragraph(1)shallapplymutatismutandistothestaffofthesecretariatoftheWorksCounciloranyWorksCouncilcommittee.

3 Theobligationmentionedinparagraph(1)shallnotapplytoanyoneinstructedbythecourtstoinvestigatetheconductofaffairsintheenterprise.

4 Theobligationmentionedinparagraph(1)shallalsonotapplytoanypersonapproachedforconsultationbyamemberoftheWorksCouncilorbyamemberofaWorksCouncilcommittee,providedthattheentrepreneurorthepartyimposingtheobligationofconfidentialityhasgivenpriorapprovalfortheconsultationmeetingwiththesaidpersonandthatthelatterhasgivenawrittenundertakingtoobserveconfidentialityregardingthematterinquestion.Inthatcase,paragraph(1)shallapplymutatismutandistothesaidperson.

5 Intheeventthattheentrepreneurorthepersonwhohasimposedtheobligationofconfidentialityrefusestogivetheapprovalmentionedinthepreviousparagraph,heshallstatethegroundsuponwhichsuchrefusalisbased.

6 TheobligationofconfidentialityshallnotenduponterminationofmembershipoftheWorksCouncilortherelevantWorksCouncilcommittee,norwhenthepersoninquestionceasestoworkintheenterprise.

7 TheWorksCouncilasawhole,eachmemberoftheWorksCouncilorofanycommitteeoftheWorksCouncil,anyexpertconsultedpursuanttoArticle16,oranypersonappointedtoprovidesecretarialsupporttotheWorksCouncilortoanycommitteeoftheWorksCouncilmayrequestthejudgeofthesub-districtsectortoliftanyobligationtoconfidentialityimposed,onthegroundsthat,inconsideringtheinterestsofthoseinvolved,theentrepreneur’sdecisiontoimposeconfidentialitywasunreasonable.

Article 21

TheentrepreneurshallensurethatnopersonworkingintheenterprisewhosenameappearsorhasappearedonalistofcandidatesasmentionedinArticle9orwhoisorhasbeenamemberoftheWorksCounciloroneofitscommitteesisplacedatanydisadvantagewithrespecttohisorherpositionintheenterpriseonthegroundsofanycandidatureforormembershipoftheWorks


CounciloraWorksCouncilcommittee.IftheentrepreneurhasestablishedthepostofsecretarytotheWorksCouncil,thefirstsentenceofthisparagraphshallalsoapplytothepersonholdingthatpost.ThefirstsentenceofthisparagraphshallalsoapplytoanyonewhotakesortooktheinitiativetoestablishaWorksCouncil.TheWorksCouncil,aswellaseachpersonworkingintheenterpriseasmentionedinthefirstthreesentencesofthisparagraph,mayrequestthejudgeofthesub-districtsectortorulethattheentrepreneurmustcomplywiththeprovisionsmentionedinthefirstthreesentencesofthisparagraph.Withregardtopersonsworkingintheenterpriseonthebasisofapublic-lawemploymentcontract,adifferentcourtshallactinsteadofthejudgeofthesub-districtsector.

Article 22

1 AnycostsincurredwhichmayreasonablybedeemednecessaryfortheWorksCouncilanditscommitteestobeabletoperformtheirdutiesshallbebornebytheentrepreneur.

2 Withdueobservanceofparagraph(1),anycostsincurredbytheWorksCounciloritscommitteesinconsultingexperts,inaccordancewiththeprovisionsofArticle16andArticle23a,paragraph(6),andanycostsincurredbytheWorksCouncilinbringinglegalproceedingsshallonlybebornebytheentrepreneurifhehasbeennotifiedinadvancethatthesaidcostswillbeincurred.Theprecedingsentenceshallnotapplyifparagraph(4)hasbeenimplemented.

3 Withdueobservanceofparagraph(1),thecostsofthetraininganddevelopmentmentionedinArticle18(2)shallbefortheaccountoftheentrepreneur.TheCouncil(SER)mayestablishguidelineamountsforvariouscostsrelatingtotraininganddevelopment.

4 InagreementwiththeWorksCouncil,theentrepreneurmaysetasumforthetotalcoststhatmaybeincurredbytheWorksCouncilanditscommitteesinanyoneyear,insofarasthesecostsarenotincurredinconsequenceoftheprovisionsofArticle17andArticle18,paragraph(1),whichsumtheWorksCouncilmayspendatitsowndiscretion.Anycostsinexcessofthissumshallbebornebytheentrepreneuronlyinsofarasheconsentstobearthem.

Article 22a

TheWorksCouncilmaynotbeorderedtopaythecostsofanylegalproceedingsbetweentheentrepreneurandtheWorksCouncil.

IV Consultation with the Works Council

Article 23

1 TheentrepreneurandtheWorksCouncilshallmeetwithin14daysofeitherpartyhavingsubmittedarequestforaconsultationmeetingtobeheldandhavingstatedthereasonsfordesiringsuchameeting.


2 Consultationmeetingsasmentionedinparagraph(1)shalldealwithmattersrelatingtotheenterpriseconcerningwhicheithertheentrepreneurortheWorksCouncilconsidersaconsultationmeetingdesirableorconcerningwhichaconsultationmeetingbetweentheentrepreneurandtheWorksCouncilisrequiredbyorpursuanttothisAct.Inenterpriseswhichnormallyemployatleast100persons,theprovisions(includingtheamountsinvolved)oftheschemesandagreementsmaderegardingtermsofemploymentasmentionedinparagraphs(1)and(2)ofArticle31d,andthedevelopmentofthepayratioscomparedtothepreviousyearforthevariousgroupsofemployeesintheenterpriseshallbediscussedatleastonceayearattheconsultationmeeting.TheWorksCouncilmaysubmitproposalsconcerningtheaforesaidmattersandpresentitsviews.Mattersrelatingtotheenterpriseshallnotincludeissuesofpolicyrelatingtoanydutyunderpubliclaw,ormattersconcerningtheperformancethereof,whichareassignedtotheentrepreneurbyorpursuanttostatutoryregulation,exceptinsofarasthesaidperformanceaffectstheworkofthepersonsworkingintheenterprise.

3 TheWorksCouncilmayalsosubmitproposalstotheentrepreneurregardingthemattersmentionedinparagraph(2)outsidetheconsultationmeetings.Anysuchproposalshallbesubmittedtotheentrepreneurinwritingandbeaccompaniedbyexplanatorynotes.Theentrepreneurshallnottakeadecisionontheproposaluntilithasbeendiscussedatleastonceataconsultationmeeting.Assoonaspossibleafterthesaidconsultationmeeting,theentrepreneurshallinformtheWorksCouncilbynoticeinwritingastowhetherheacceptstheproposal,andifso,towhatextent,statingalsothegroundsuponwhichthedecisionisbased.

4 Consultationsshallbeconductedonbehalfoftheentrepreneurbythedirectoroftheenterprise.Iftheenterprisehasmorethanonedirector,thedirectorsshalldecidejointlywhichofthemistoconductconsultationswiththeWorksCouncil.

5 Thedirectormentionedinparagraph(4)mayallowoneofhisco-directorstodeputiseforhimwithregardtoaparticularsubjectorifheisunabletoattend.Ifthemanagementoftheenterpriseconsistsofonlyonedirectorandheisunabletoattend,hemayarrangetobereplacedbyapersonasmentionedinArticle24,paragraph(2),orbyapersonworkingintheenterprisewhohasbeenauthorisedtoconductconsultationswiththeWorksCouncilonbehalfoftheentrepreneur.

6 Thedirectororthepersondeputisingforhimmayreceiveassistanceduringconsultationmeetingsfromoneormoreco-directors,frompersonsasmentionedinArticle24,paragraph(2),orfrompersonsworkingintheenterprise.

7 Withregardtotheconsultationmeetingasmentionedinparagraph(2),secondsentence,Article24,paragraphs(2)and(3),shallapplymutatismutandis.

Article 23a

1 AconsultationmeetingmaybeheldonlyiftheprovisionsgoverningtheholdingofWorksCouncilmeetingssetoutintheRulesofProcedureoftheWorksCouncilhavebeensatisfiedinrespectoftheWorksCouncil.AllmembersoftheWorksCouncilmayspeakatthemeeting.


2 UnlesstheentrepreneurandtheWorksCounciljointlyagreeotherwise,theconsultationmeetingshallbechairedalternatelybythedirectororhisdeputyinaccordancewithArticle23,paragraph(5),andthechairmanordeputychairmanoftheWorksCouncil.

3 ThesecretarytotheWorksCouncilshallactassecretarytotheconsultationmeetingunlesstheentrepreneurandtheWorksCounciljointlyappointadifferentpersonassecretary.

4 TheagendaoftheconsultationmeetingshallconsistofitemssubmittedtothesecretarybytheentrepreneurortheWorksCouncil.TheminutesoftheconsultationmeetingshallrequiretheapprovaloftheentrepreneurandtheWorksCouncil.

5 TheentrepreneurandtheWorksCouncilshallmakejointarrangementsgoverningtheprocedurestobefollowedatconsultationmeetings,andthetimeatwhichandthemannerinwhichtheagendaandtheminutesoftheconsultationmeetingaretobemadeavailabletothepersonsworkingintheenterprise.

6 Articles17and22shallapplymutatismutandistoconsultationmeetings.BoththeWorksCouncilandtheentrepreneurmayinviteoneormoreexpertstoattendaconsultationmeeting,providedthatthismayreasonablybedeemednecessaryforthepropertreatmentofagivenmatter.Thepartiesshallnotifyeachotheringoodtimeiftheyintendtoissueanysuchinvitation.

Article 23b

1 DecisionsmaybemadebyboththeentrepreneurandtheWorksCouncilduringaconsultationmeeting.

2 ThechairmanshalladjournaconsultationmeetingifeithertheentrepreneurortheWorksCouncilconsidersitdesirabletodeliberateseparatelyonaparticularmatter.

Article 23c

IftheWorksCouncilgrantsauthoritytoacommitteerelatingtoapartoftheenterprisetoconsultwiththemanageroftherelevantpartoftheenterprise,theprovisionsofthefollowingarticlesshallapplytosuchconsultationmeetings:17;22;23;23a,paragraphs(2),(4)and(6);23b;24,paragraph(1);25;27;28;31a,paragraphs(1),(6)and(7);31b;and31c.ThesaidconsultationmeetingsshallnotdealwithanymattersdealtwithinconsultationmeetingswiththeWorksCouncil.

Article 24

1 Thegeneraloperationoftheenterpriseshallbediscussedatleasttwiceayearinconsultationmeetings.TheentrepreneurshallinformthesaidmeetingsaboutanydecisionsheisconsideringrelatingtothemattersmentionedinArticles25and27.Atthemeetings,agreementwillalsobemadeaboutwhenandhowtheWorksCouncilwillbeinvolvedinthedecision-makingprocess.


2 Iftheenterpriseiscarriedonbyapubliclimitedcompany[naamlozevennootschap],aprivatelimitedcompany[beslotenvennootschapmetbeperkteaansprakelijkheid],acooperative[coöperatie]oramutualinsuranceassociation[onderlingewaarborgmaatschappij],thecompany’sSupervisoryDirectors,ifany,oroneormorerepresentativesfromtheirnumbershallbepresentatthemeetingsmentionedinparagraph(1).Ifatleasthalfthesharesofthecompanyarehelddirectlyorindirectlybyanothercompanyforitsownaccount,theaforementionedobligationshallrestontheDirectorsofthelast-mentionedcompanyoroneormorerepresentativesdesignatedbythem.Iftheenterpriseiscarriedonbyanassociationorafoundation[stichting],themembersoftheExecutiveCommitteeoftheassociationorfoundationoroneormorerepresentativesfromtheirnumbershallbepresent.TheWorksCouncilmaydecideinparticularcasesthatthisparagraphneednotbeapplied.

3 Theprovisionsofparagraph(2)shallnotapplytoanenterprisecarriedonbyanentrepreneurwhocarriesonatleastfiveenterprisesforwhichaWorksCouncilhasbeenestablishedtowhichtheprovisionsofthisActpertain,orbyanentrepreneurformingpartofagroupofassociatedentrepreneurswhohavejointlyestablishedatleastfiveWorksCouncilstowhichtheprovisionsofthisActpertain.

IV-A Special powers of the Works Council

Article 25

1 TheentrepreneurshallgivetheWorksCouncilanopportunitytorenderadviceonanydecisionheproposestomakewithregardto:a Transferofcontroloftheenterpriseoranypartthereof;b Theestablishment,take-overorrelinquishmentofcontrolofanotherenterprise,or

enteringinto,makingamajormodificationtoorseveringacontinuingcollaborationwithanotherenterprise,includingtheenteringinto,effectingofmajorchangestoorseveringofanimportantfinancialholdingonaccountoforforthebenefitofsuchanenterprise;

c Terminationofoperationsoftheenterpriseorasignificantpartthereof;d Anysignificantreduction,expansionorotherchangeintheenterprise’sactivities;e Majorchangestotheorganisationortothedistributionofpowerswithintheenterprise;f Anychangeinthelocationoftheenterprise’soperations;gRecruitmentorborrowingoflabouronagroupbasis;hMakingmajorinvestmentsonbehalfoftheenterprise;i Takingoutmajorloansfortheenterprise;j Grantingsubstantialcredittoorgivingsecurityforsubstantialdebtsofanother

entrepreneur,unlessthisisnormalpracticeandpartoftheactivitiesoftheenterprise;k Theintroductionoralterationofanimportanttechnologicalprovision;l Takinganimportantmeasureregardingthemanagementofthenaturalenvironment

bytheenterprise,includingthetakingorchangingofpolicy-related,organisationaloradministrativemeasuresrelatingtothenaturalenvironment;

m AdoptingaprovisionrelatingtothebearingoftheriskmentionedinArticle40,paragraph(1)oftheSocialInsuranceFundingAct[Wetfinancieringsocialeverzekeringen];


n Commissioninganexpertfromoutsidetheenterprisetoadviseonanyofthemattersreferredtoaboveandformulatinghistermsofreference.

Provisions(b)and(n),insofarasthelatterrelatestoamattermentionedin(b),shallnotapplyiftheotherenterpriseisestablishedorisbeingestablishedabroadandtheproposeddecisioncannotreasonablybeexpectedtoleadtoadecisionasmentionedin(c)to(f)concerninganenterprisebeingcarriedonbytheentrepreneurintheNetherlands.

2 TheentrepreneurshallsubmittheproposeddecisioninwritingtotheWorksCouncilforitsadvice.Thisadviceshallberequestedatatimewhenitcanstillsignificantlyaffectthedecisiontobetaken.

3 Whenitsadviceisbeingsought,theWorksCouncilshallbefurnishedwithasummaryofthegroundsforthedecision,itsexpectedconsequencesforpersonsworkingintheenterpriseandthemeasuresproposedfordealingwithsuchconsequences.

4 TheWorksCouncilshallnotrenderadviceonaproposeddecisionasmentionedinparagraph(1)untilthematterinquestionhasbeenconsideredatleastonceinaconsultationmeeting.Article24,paragraph(2),shallapplymutatismutandistothediscussionoftheproposeddecisionattheconsultationmeeting.

5 Ifadecisionmentionedinparagraph(1)istaken,advicehavingfirstbeengivenbytheWorksCouncil,theentrepreneurshall,assoonaspossible,sendtheWorksCouncilwrittennotificationofthedecision.IftheWorksCouncil’sadvicehasnotbeenfollowedoronlypartiallyso,theWorksCouncilshallalsobeinformedofthereasonsforthis.TotheextentthattheWorksCouncilhasnotalreadygivenitsadviceontheimplementationofthedecision,itsadviceshallalsobesoughtonsuchimplementation.

6 Unlesstheentrepreneur’sdecisionaccordswiththeadviceoftheWorksCouncil,theentrepreneurshallpostponeimplementationofthedecisionuntilonemonthafterthedayuponwhichtheWorksCouncilwasnotifiedofthedecision.ThisobligationshalllapseiftheWorksCouncilgivesnoticetothateffect.

Article 26

1 TheWorksCouncilmaylodgeanappealwiththeEnterpriseSection[Ondernemingskamer]oftheAmsterdamCourtofAppeal[Gerechtshof]againstadecisionbyanentrepreneurasmentionedinArticle25,paragraph(5),eitherifthedecisiondoesnotaccordwiththeadviceoftheWorksCounciloriffactsorcircumstanceshavebecomeknownwhich,iftheyhadbeenknowntotheWorksCouncilatthetimeofrenderingitsadvice,couldhavebeengroundsfornotrenderingtheadviceasrendered.

2 AppealsshallbelodgedbysubmittingapetitionwithinamonthoftheWorksCouncilbeinginformedofthedecisionmentionedinparagraph(1).

3 Theentrepreneurshallbeinformedofanyappealthatislodged.4 Appealsmaybelodgedonlyonthegroundsthattheentrepreneur,inweighingtheinterests

involved,couldnotinallfairnesshavearrivedatthesaiddecision.5 TheEnterpriseSectionshalldealwiththepetitionwiththeutmosturgency.Beforegiving

itsruling,itmay,initsofficialcapacity,takeevidencefromexpertsaswellasfrompersonsworkingintheenterprise.IftheEnterpriseSectiongrantstheappeal,itshalldeclarethat


inweighingtheinterestsinvolved,theentrepreneurcouldnotinallfairnesshavearrivedatthesaiddecision.Itmay,iftheWorksCouncilhassorequested,alsotakeoneormoreofthefollowingmeasures:a Ordertheentrepreneurtorescindhisdecisioninwholeorinpart,andtoreversespecified

consequencesofthedecision;b Prohibittheentrepreneurfromperformingcertainactionsorcausingthemtobe

performedinimplementationofthedecisionorpartsthereof.NomeasurestakenbytheEnterpriseSectionmayinfringeanyrightsacquiredbythirdparties.

6 Anyfailuretocomplywithoranyviolationofaprohibitionasmentionedinparagraph(5)isforbidden.

7 Ifbothpartiessorequest,oriftheentrepreneurundertakestorescindormodifythedecisionagainstwhichanappealhasbeenlodgedortoreversecertainconsequencesofthedecision,theEnterpriseSectionmayforaperiodofitsownspecificationdeferjudgementonapetitionformeasurestobetaken.

8 Followingthesubmissionofapetition,theEnterpriseSectionmaytakeprovisionalmeasures,ifnecessarywithoutdelay.Paragraph(5),sentencesfourandfive,andparagraph(6)shallapplymutatismutandis.

9 AppealsagainstadecreebytheEnterpriseSectionmaybelodgedonlywiththeSupremeCourt[HogeRaad].

Article 27

1 TheendorsementoftheWorksCouncilshallberequiredforeveryproposeddecisiononthepartoftheentrepreneurtolaydown,amendorwithdraw:a Regulationspursuanttoapensionagreement,aprofit-sharingschemeorasavingsscheme;b Regulationsrelatingtoworkinghoursandrestperiodsorholidays;c Payorjob-gradingsystems;d Regulationsrelatingtoworkingconditions,sickleaveorreintegration;e Regulationsrelatingtopolicyonappointments,dismissalsorpromotion;f Regulationsrelatingtostafftraining;g Regulationsrelatingtostaffappraisals;h Regulationsrelatingtoindustrialsocialwork;i Regulationsrelatingtojobcoordinationmeetings;j Regulationsrelatingtocomplaintsprocedures;k Regulationsrelatingtothehandlingandprotectionofpersonalinformationofpersons

workingintheenterprise;l Regulationsrelatingtomeasuresaimedatorsuitableformonitoringorcheckingthe

attendance,behaviourorperformanceofpersonsworkingintheenterprise;m Aprocedurefordealingwithareportofasuspectedabuse,asmentionedinArticle2,

paragraph(1)oftheWhistleblowersAuthorityAct[WetHuisvoorklokkenluiders]; alltheabovemattersbeinginsofarastheyrelatetoallthepersonsworkingintheenterprise

oranygroupthereof.


2 TheentrepreneurshallsubmithisproposeddecisioninwritingtotheWorksCouncil. Inaddition,heshallpresentasummaryofhisreasonsforthedecision,aswellasthe

consequencesthatthedecisionisexpectedtohaveforpersonsworkingintheenterprise.TheWorksCouncilshallnottakeadefinitivestandpointonthematterinquestionuntilithasbeendiscussedatleastonceinaconsultationmeeting.Aftertheconsultationmeeting,theWorksCouncilshallassoonaspossiblenotifytheentrepreneurinwritingofitsstandpointandthegroundsonwhichthatstandpointisbased.AftertheWorksCouncilhasmadeitsstandpointknown,theentrepreneurshallnotifytheWorksCouncilinwritingofthedecisionhehastakenandthedateuponwhichthesaiddecisionwilltakeeffect.

3 Theobligationmentionedinparagraph(1)shallnotapplyifandinsofarasthematterinquestionhasalreadybeenregulatedfortheenterpriseinacollectivelabouragreementorinanarrangementrelatingtotermsofemploymentlaiddownbyabodyunderpubliclaw.Endorsementisalsonotrequiredwherecompulsoryparticipationinanindustry-widepensionfundasmentionedinArticle1ofthePensionsActapplieswithrespecttoamatterasmentionedinparagraph(1)(a).

4 IftheWorksCouncildeclinestoendorsetheentrepreneur’sproposeddecision,theentrepreneurmayaskthejudgeofthesub-districtsectortoruleonthematter.Thejudgeofthesub-districtsectorshallonlygrantpermissionforthedecisiontobeimplementediftheWorksCouncil’srefusaltoendorsethedecisionisunreasonableoriftheentrepreneur’sproposeddecisionisrequiredforimportantorganisational,economicorsocialreasonsrelatingtotheenterprise.

5 Anydecisionasmentionedinparagraph(1)takenwithouttheendorsementoftheWorksCouncilorthepermissionofthejudgeofthesub-districtsectorshallbeinvalidiftheWorksCouncilsubmitsawrittenappealtotheentrepreneuragainstthedecisiononthegroundsofinvaliditywithinonemonthofeithertheentrepreneurhavingnotifiedtheWorksCouncilofthedecisioninaccordancewiththelastsentenceofparagraph(2)or,intheabsenceofsuchnotification,oftheWorksCouncilhavingdiscoveredthattheentrepreneurhasimplementedorappliedthedecision.

6 TheWorksCouncilmayrequestthejudgeofthesub-districtsectortoordertheentrepreneurtorefrainfromanyactionswhichwouldinvolveimplementingorapplyinganinvaliddecisionasmentionedinparagraph(5).Theentrepreneurmayrequestthejudgeofthesub-districtsectortodeclarethattheWorksCouncil’sappealagainstthedecisiononthegroundsofinvalidity,asmentionedinparagraph(5),isunfounded.

7 Regulationspursuanttoapensionagreementasmentionedinparagraph(1)(a)arealsounderstoodtomeanregulationsincludedinanadministrationagreementasmentionedinArticle1ofthePensionsActoradministrationregulationsasmentionedin(b)ofthedefinitionofadministrationregulationsinArticle1ofthePensionsActthataffectthepensionagreement,whichinanycaseareunderstoodtoinclude:provisionsgoverningthemannerinwhichthecontributiondueisdetermined,thecriteriaforandtheconditionsunderwhichindexationisgrantedandthechoiceofplacementwithaparticularpensionadministrator,pensioninstitutionfromanotherMemberStateorinsurerwithregisteredofficeoutsidetheNetherlandsasmentionedinArticle23,paragraph(1)ofthePensionsAct.


Article 28

1 TheWorksCouncilshalldoallwithinitspowertoensuredueobservationofanyregulationsapplyingtotheenterpriseregardingtermsofemploymentandissuesofworkingconditionsandworkingandrestinghoursofpersonsworkingintheenterprise.

2 TheWorksCouncilshallalsodoallwithinitspowertopromotetheconsultativecoordinationofworkactivitiesandthetransferofresponsibilitieswithintheenterpriseinorderthatthepersonsworkingintheenterprisemaybeasinvolvedaspossibleinregulatingworkinthepartoftheenterpriseinwhichtheywork.

3 TheWorksCouncilshallguardagainstdiscriminationingeneralwithintheenterprise,andshallinparticularpromotetheequaltreatmentofmenandwomenandtheemploymentofdisabledpersonsandminoritiesintheenterprise.

4 TheWorksCouncilshalldoallinitspowertopromoteenvironmentalcareonthepartoftheenterprise,includingthetakingorchangingofpolicy-related,organisationaloradministrativemeasuresrelatingtothenaturalenvironment.

Article 29

TheWorksCouncilmayappointfromitsnumberorelsewhereanumber(tobedeterminedbytheentrepreneur,butatleasthalf)oftheboardmembersofinstitutionssetupbytheentrepreneurforthebenefitofthepersonsworkingintheenterprise,exceptinsofarasbyorpursuanttolawthemanagementofanysuchinstitutionisregulatedotherwise.

Article 30

1 TheentrepreneurshallinvitetheWorksCounciltorenderadviceonanyproposeddecisiononthepartoftheentrepreneurtoappointordismissadirectoroftheenterprise.

2 Thisadviceshallbeinvitedatatimewhenitcanstillsignificantlyaffectthedecisiontobetaken.

3 TheentrepreneurshallinformtheWorksCouncilofthereasonsforhisdecisionandintheeventofanappointmentshallalsoprovideinformationonthebasisofwhichtheWorksCouncilcanformanopinionoftheindividualinquestioninrelationtohisorherfuturepositionintheenterprise.Article25,paragraph(4)andArticle25,paragraph(5),sentences1and2,shallapplymutatismutandis.


IV-B Informing the Works Council

Article 31

1 Ifrequestedtodoso,theentrepreneurshallinatimelyfashionprovidetheWorksCouncilanditscommitteeswithalltheinformationanddatasuchastheymayreasonablybedeemedtorequireinordertoperformtheirduties.Theinformationanddatashall,uponrequest,beprovidedinwriting.

2 Atthebeginningofeverytermofoffice,theentrepreneurshallprovidetheWorksCouncilwithwritteninformationonthefollowingmatters:a Thelegalformoftheentrepreneur:iftheentrepreneurisnotalegalentityunderpublic

law,theArticlesofAssociation[statuten]ofthatlegalentitymustalsobeprovided;b Iftheentrepreneurisanaturalperson[natuurlijkepersoon],apartnership[maatschap]or

apartnershipwithoutlegalform[niet-rechtspersoonlijkheidbezittendevennootschap]:thenameandaddressofthesaidnaturalpersonorthenamesandaddressesofthemembersofthesaidpartnershiporthemanagingpartnersofthesaidpartnershipwithoutlegalform;

c Iftheentrepreneurisalegalentity:thenamesandaddressesofthemembersoftheSupervisoryBoardortheBoardofManagement;

d Iftheentrepreneurformspartofagroupofentrepreneurs:theentrepreneursformingthegroup,thepowerstructureslinkingthem,andthenamesandaddressesofthosewhoinconsequenceofthesaidpowerstructuresareabletoexerciseactualcontrolovertheenterprise;

e Anyentrepreneurorinstitutionwithwhomtheentrepreneur,otherthanbyreasonofthepowerstructuresmentionedunder(d),maintainslong-termrelationsoffundamentalimportanceforthecontinuationoftheenterprise,aswellasthenamesandaddressesofthosewho,asaresultofsuchrelations,areabletoexerciseactualcontrolovertheentrepreneur;

f Thewayinwhichtheenterpriseisorganised,thenamesandaddressesofthedirectorsandotherprincipalmanagerialstaff,andthemannerinwhichpowersaredistributedamongthem.

3 Paragraph(2)(d)shallalsoapplytoanyentrepreneurformingpartofaninternationalgroupofenterprises.Paragraph(2)(e)shallalsoapplytoanyentrepreneurwho,otherthanbyreasonofthepowerstructuresmentionedintheprevioussentence,maintainslong-termrelationswithforeignentrepreneursororganisations.

4 TheentrepreneurshallinformtheWorksCouncilassoonaspossibleofanychangesoccurringintheinformationspecifiedinparagraph(2).

Article 31a

1 Inordertofacilitateproperdiscussionofthegeneraloperationoftheenterprise,theentrepreneurshall,atleasttwiceayear,providetheWorksCouncil,eitherorallyorinwriting,withgeneralinformationconcerningtheactivitiesandfinancialresultsoftheenterpriserelatingtotheprecedingperiodandinparticularregardingthemattersmentionedinArticle25.


2 InthecaseofanenterpriseoperatedbyafoundationorassociationasmentionedinArticle360,paragraph(3)ofBook2oftheDutchCivilCode,acooperative,amutualinsuranceassociation,apubliclimitedcompanyorprivatelimitedcompany,theentrepreneurshallsubmittotheWorksCouncilforthepurposesofdiscussionandassoonaspossibleaftertheannualaccountshavebeendrawnup,acopyoftheannualaccountsandthemanagementreportinDutchtogetherwiththeotherinformationrequiredtobeattachedtothese,pursuanttoArticle392ofBook2oftheDutchCivilCode.ThestatementthatalegalentityisrequiredtomakepursuanttoArticle362,paragraph(6),lastsentence,ofBook2oftheDutchCivilCodeshallbemadesimultaneouslywiththatmadetothegeneralmeeting.

3 Inthecaseofanentrepreneurbelongingtoagroupofassociatedentrepreneurs,ifthefinancialinformationrelatingtothesaidentrepreneurisincludedinaconsolidatedannualaccountasmentionedinArticle405ofBook2oftheDutchCivilCode,theentrepreneurshallsubmittotheWorksCouncilforthepurposesofdiscussionacopyofthisconsolidatedannualaccount,themanagementreportandtheotherinformationasmentionedinArticle392ofthesaidBookregardingthelegalbodythatcompiledtheconsolidatedannualaccount.Ifthefinancialinformationrelatingtosuchanentrepreneurisnotincludedinaconsolidatedannualaccount,theentrepreneurshallinsteadsubmittotheWorksCouncilforthepurposesofdiscussionwritteninformationthatwillenableittogaininsightintothejointfinancialresultsoftheenterprisesoperatedbythesaidgroupofentrepreneurs.

4 Iftheannualaccountsoftheentrepreneurrelatetomorethanoneenterprise,theentrepreneurshallsimultaneouslysubmittotheWorksCouncilwritteninformationthatwillenableittogaininsightintotheextenttowhichtheenterpriseforwhichtheWorksCouncilwasestablishedcontributedtothejointfinancialresultsofthoseenterprisesby.Ifaconsolidatedannualaccountasmentionedinparagraph(3)issubmitted,theaboveshallapplymutatismutandis.

5 Inthecaseofanenterpriseoperatedbyanentrepreneurtowhomparagraph(2)doesnotapply,theentrepreneurshallsubmittotheWorksCouncilforthepurposesofdiscussionalternativewritteninformationtobedesignatedbyOrderinCouncil[AlgemeneMaatregelvanBestuur,AMvB].Paragraphs(3)and(4)shallapplymutatismutandis.

6 Atleasttwiceayear,forthepurposesofdiscussingthegeneraloperationoftheenterprise,theentrepreneurshallinformtheWorksCouncilorallyorinwritingofhisexpectationswithrespecttotheactivitiesandthefinancialresultsoftheenterpriseinthecomingperiod,inparticularwithregardtosuchmattersasmentionedinArticle25,andtoallinvestmentsathomeandabroad.

7 Ifitistheentrepreneur’scustomtodrawupalong-termplanfortheenterprise,oranestimateorabudgetforincomeandexpenditure,thatplanorestimateorbudget,orasummarythereof,shallbesubmittedwithexplanatorynotestotheWorksCouncilandbeincludedinthediscussion.Paragraphs(3)and(4)shallapplymutatismutandis.


Article 31b

1 Atleastonceayear,forthepurposesofdiscussingthegeneraloperationoftheenterprise,theentrepreneurshallprovidetheWorksCouncilwithgeneralinformationinwritingconcerningthenumberofpersonsworkingintheenterprise,thevariousgroupsthereofandtheirsize,andthesocialpolicypursuedinrespectofthesaidpersonsduringtheprecedingyear,inparticularwithregardtothemattersmentionedinArticles27,28and29.Thisinformationshallbesufficientlyspecificintermsofnumberstoshowtheeffectvariousaspectsofsocialpolicyhavehadonindividualpartsoftheenterpriseandindividualjobgroups.

2 Theentrepreneurshallalsogivenotice,orallyorinwriting,ofhisexpectationswithregardtostaffingdevelopmentsinthecomingyearandofthesocialpolicyhewillpursueinthatyear,inparticularwithregardtothemattersmentionedinArticles27,28and29.

3 Atleastonceayear,partlyforthepurposesofdiscussingthegeneraloperationoftheenterprise,theentrepreneurshallprovidetheWorksCouncilwithgeneralinformationinwritingconcerningthenumberofpersonsworkingintheenterpriseonthebasisofatemporaryemploymentagencycontract.Atthesametime,theentrepreneurshallalsogivenotice,orallyorinwriting,ofhisexpectationswithregardtothenumberofpersonsworkingonthebasisofatemporaryemploymentagencycontractinthecomingyear.

Article 31c

TheentrepreneurshallnotifytheWorksCouncilassoonaspossibleofanyintentiononhisparttocommissionanoutsideexperttomakerecommendationsonanyofthemattersmentionedinArticle27.

Article 31d

1 Atleastonceayear,aspartoftheinformationprovidedforthepurposesofdiscussingthegeneraloperationoftheenterprise,theentrepreneurshallprovidetheWorksCouncilwithinformationinwritingconcerningtheprovisions(includingtheamountsinvolved)oftheschemesandagreementsmaderegardingtermsofemploymentforthevariousgroupsofemployeeswithintheenterprise.

2 Atthesametime,theentrepreneurshallalsoprovideinformationinwritingconcerningtheprovisions(includingtheamountsinvolved)oftheschemesandagreementsmaderegardingtermsofemploymentwiththemanagementrepresentingthelegalentity,andthetotalremunerationpaidtothesupervisorybodymentionedinArticle24,paragraph(2).

3 Theinformationtobeprovidedpursuanttoparagraphs(1)and(2)shallclearlyindicateinpercentagetermshowtheschemesandagreementsregardingtermsofemploymentcomparetoeachotherandtothoseoftheprecedingyear.

4 Ifagroupasmentionedinparagraph(1),themanagementorthesupervisorybodymentionedinparagraph(2),shouldconsistoffewerthanfivepersons,twoormorefunctionsmaybecombinedforthepurposesoftheapplicationoftheseparagraphs,sothatagroupofatleastfivepersonsiscreated.


5 TheentrepreneurisobligedtoinformtheWorksCouncilassoonaspossibleofanysignificantchangesmadetotheseschemesandagreements.

6 ThisArticleappliesonlytoenterprisesthatnormallyhaveatleast100employees.

Article 31e

Articles23,paragraph(2),secondsentence,and31ddonotapplyto:a Aprivatelimitedliabilitycompanyinwhichoneofthemanagersorsupervisorsisanatural

personwithadirectorindirectinterestinthelegalentity,pursuanttoArticle4.6oftheIncomeTaxAct2001[Wetinkomstenbelasting2001],or

b AlegalentitytowhichArticle396or397ofTitle9ofBook2oftheDutchCivilCodeapply.

Article 31f

TheentrepreneurisobligedtoinformtheWorksCouncilinwritingassoonaspossibleofanyintendedestablishment,amendmentorwithdrawalofanadministrationagreementasreferredtoinArticle1ofthePensionsActoranadministrationregulationasreferredtoin(b)ofthedefinitionofadministrationregulationinArticle1ofthePensionsAct.

IV-C Additional powers of the Works Council

Article 32

1 PowersinadditiontothosementionedinthisActmaybegrantedtotheWorksCouncilorWorksCouncilsoftheenterpriseorenterprisespartytothatcollectiveagreementorarrangementbymeansofacollectivelabouragreementoranarrangementrelatingtotermsofemploymentlaiddownbyabodyunderpubliclaw.

2 PowersinadditiontothosementionedinthisActmaybegrantedtotheWorksCouncilaswellasadditionalstipulationsconcerningtheapplicationofprovisionsoforpursuanttothisActbymeansofanagreementinwritingbetweentheentrepreneurandtheWorksCouncil.TheentrepreneurshallsendacopyoftheagreementtotheJointSectoralCommittee.

3 If,onthebasisofthisArticle,theWorksCouncilisgrantedadvisorypowersortherighttoendorsedecisions,theadviceorendorsementoftheWorksCouncilshallnotberequiredinsofarasthesubstanceofthematterhasalreadybeenregulatedfortheenterpriseinacollectivelabouragreementorinanarrangementrelatingtotermsofemploymentlaiddownbyabodyunderpubliclaw.

4 If,insuchanagreement,theWorksCouncilisgrantedtherighttorenderadviceonortoendorseproposeddecisionsbytheentrepreneur,otherthanthosementionedinArticles25and27respectively,thenArticle26andArticle27,paragraphs(4),(5)and(6),shallapplyrespectively,mutatismutandis.


V Central Works Councils and Group Works Councils

Article 33

1 AnyentrepreneurwhohasestablishedtwoormoreWorksCouncilsshallalsoestablishaCentralWorksCouncil[CentraleOndernemingsraad]foranumberoftheenterprisescarriedonbytheentrepreneur,ifthisisintheinterestsoftheproperimplementationofthisActinrespectofthoseenterprises.

2 AnyentrepreneurwhohasestablishedtwoormoreWorksCouncilsshallestablishaGroupWorksCouncil[Groepsondernemingsraad]foranumberoftheenterprisesthathecarrieson,ifthisisintheinterestsoftheproperimplementationofthisActinrespectofthoseenterprises.

3 Paragraphs(1)and(2)shallapplymutatismutandistoagroupofentrepreneurswhohaveestablishedtwoormoreWorksCouncilsjointly.ThesaidgroupofentrepreneursshallappointoneoftheirnumbertoactontheirbehalfasentrepreneurforthepurposesofthisActwithrespecttotheCentralWorksCouncilorGroupWorksCouncil.

Article 34

1 ACentralWorksCouncilshallbemadeupofmemberselectedbytherelevantWorksCouncilsfromamongthemembersofeachofthesaidWorksCouncils.Foreachmember,adeputymaybeelectedwhoshallenjoythesamerightsandobligationsasthememberforwhomhedeputises.

2 IfoneormoreGroupWorksCouncilshavebeenestablished,theCentralWorksCouncilmaylaydowninitsRulesofProcedurethattheCentralWorksCouncil,contrarytotheprovisionsofparagraph(1),shall,inwholeorinpart,bemadeupofmemberselectedbytherelevantGroupWorksCouncilsfromthemembersofthesaidGroupWorksCouncils.Foreachmembersoelected,adeputymaybeelectedwhoshallenjoythesamerightsandobligationsasthememberforwhomhedeputises.

3 TheRulesofProcedureoftheCentralWorksCouncilshallspecifythenumberofmemberswhomaybeelectedfromeachWorksCouncilorGroupWorksCouncil.TheRulesofProcedureshallalsocontainprovisionstotheeffectthatthevariousgroupsofpersonsworkingintheenterprisesinquestionshallasfaraspossibleberepresentedontheCentralWorksCouncil.TheWorksCouncilsorGroupWorksCouncilsconcernedshallbeconsultedabouttheestablishmentofsuchprovisionsintheRulesofProcedure.

4 ACentralWorksCouncilmayalsolaydowninitsRulesofProcedurethat,inadditiontothemembersmentionedinparagraph(3),theCentralWorksCouncilmayalsocompriserepresentativesofenterpriseswhichareoperatedbytheentrepreneurorentrepreneursmentionedinArticle33butwithrespecttowhichtheyarenotobligedtoestablishaWorksCouncil.TheCentralWorksCouncilshallspecifyinitsRulesofProcedurethenumberofsuchrepresentativesandthemannerinwhichtheyaretobeelected.


5 IfamemberofaCentralWorksCouncilorhisdeputyceasestobeamemberoftheWorksCouncilorGroupWorksCouncilbywhichhehasbeenelected,hismembershipoftheCentralWorksCouncilshallterminateautomatically.Thesameshallapplyifarepresentativeofanenterpriseasmentionedinparagraph(4)ceasestoworkintheenterpriseinquestion.AnyexclusionasmentionedinArticle13ofaWorksCouncilmemberorGroupWorksCouncilmemberwhoisalsoamemberofaCentralWorksCouncilshallalsoentailexclusionofthepersoninquestionfromparticipationintheactivitiesoftheCentralWorksCouncil.

6 ThefollowingArticlesshallapplymutatismutandistotheCentralWorksCouncil:7;8;l0;11;12;13;14;15,paragraphs(1),(2),(4)and(5);16;17;18;19;20;21;and22.

7 Theprecedingparagraphs,withtheexceptionofparagraph(2),shallapplymutatismutandistoaGroupWorksCouncil.

Article 35

1 Articles22auptoandincluding32,withtheexceptionofArticles23cand24,paragraph(3),shallapplymutatismutandistoCentralWorksCouncilsandGroupWorksCouncils,withtheprovisothatthesaidCouncilsmaydealonlywithmattersofcommoninteresttoallormostoftheenterprisesforwhichtheyhavebeenestablished,regardlessofwhetherindividualWorksCouncilsmayexercisepowersinrelationtosuchmatters.

2 IfindividualWorksCouncilsmayexercisepowersinrelationtosuchmattersasmentionedinparagraph(1),thesaidpowersshallbetransferredtotheCentralWorksCouncilorGroupWorksCouncil,withtheprovisothatGroupWorksCouncilsshallnotdealwithmattersthataredealtwithbytheCentralWorksCouncil.

V-A Employee participation in small enterprises

Article 35a

(Nolongerinforce)

Article 35b

1 Inthecaseofanenterpriseinwhichtherearenormallyatleast10andfewerthan50personsworkingandforwhichnoWorksCounciloremployeerepresentativebodyhasbeenestablished,theentrepreneurshallgivethepersonsworkingintheenterpriseanopportunityofmeetingwithhimatleasttwiceeachcalendaryear.Heshallalsoconveneameetingwiththepersonsworkingintheenterprisewhenatleastonequarterofthemsubmitarequesttothiseffecttogetherwithastatementoftheirreasonsformakingtherequest.


2 Atthemeetingsmentionedinparagraph(1),anymattersconcerningtheenterprisethattheentrepreneurandthepersonsworkingintheenterprisedeemitdesirabletodiscussmayberaised.Anypersonworkingintheenterprisemaymakeproposalsconcerningsuchmattersandtoexpressapointofviewonthem.

3 Iftheentrepreneurdoesnotmanagetheenterprisehimself,consultationmeetingsshallbeconductedforhimbythedirectoroftheenterprise.Iftheentrepreneurorthedirectorareunabletoattend,theymayarrangeforapersonworkingintheenterprisewhoisauthorisedtoconductconsultationmeetingswithemployeesonbehalfoftheentrepreneurtodeputiseforthem.

4 Thegeneraloperationoftheenterpriseshallbediscussedatleastonceayearatthemeetingsmentionedinparagraph(1).Tothisend,theentrepreneurshallprovide,orallyorinwriting,generalinformationabouttheactivitiesandthefinancialresultsoftheenterpriseintheprecedingyearandabouthisexpectationsregardingthesameforthecomingyear.Insofarastheentrepreneurisobligedtomakehisannualaccountsandmanagementreportavailableforpublicinspection,copiesoftheseannualdocumentsinDutchshallbesubmittedfordiscussiontothepersonsworkingintheenterprise.Theentrepreneurshallalsoprovide,orallyorinwriting,generalinformationaboutthesocialpolicythathehaspursuedandintendstopursuewithregardtothepersonsworkingintheenterprise.

5 Theentrepreneurshallgivethepersonsworkingintheenterpriseanopportunity,inameetingasmentionedinparagraph(1),torenderadviceaboutanyproposeddecisiononthepartoftheentrepreneurthatmayleadtoalossofjobsortomajorchangesinthetermsofemploymentorworkingconditionsofatleastonequarterofthepersonsworkingintheenterprise.Thisadviceshallbesoughtatatimewhenitcanstillsignificantlyaffectthedecisiontobetaken.Theobligationmentionedinthefirstsentenceshallnotapplyifandinsofarasthesubstanceofthematterhasalreadybeenregulatedfortheenterpriseinacollectivelabouragreementorinanarrangementrelatingtotermsofemploymentlaiddownbyabodyunderpubliclaw.

6 Theentrepreneurisobliged,uponrequest,toprovidethepersonsworkingintheenterprisewithalltheinformationanddataconcerningthepensionasatermofemploymentthattheyreasonablyneedforthemeetingsmentionedinparagraph(1).Theinformationordatawillbeprovidedinwriting,wheretheentrepreneurhasitavailableinwriting.

7 Theentrepreneurisobligedtoinformthepersonsworkingintheenterpriseassoonaspossibleaboutanyintendedestablishment,amendmentorwithdrawalofanadministrationagreementasreferredtoinArticle1ofthePensionsActoranadministrationregulationasreferredtoin(b)ofthedefinitionofadministrationregulationsinArticle1ofthePensionsAct.Theinformationwillbeprovidedinwriting,wheretheentrepreneurhasitavailableinwriting.

8 Theobligationsmentionedintheprecedingparagraphsshallnotapplytopersonswhohavebeenworkingintheenterpriseforlessthansixmonths.ThesaidobligationsshallnotapplyiftheentrepreneurhasestablishedaWorksCouncilinaccordancewithArticle5a,butshallreapplywhenthesaidWorksCouncilautomaticallyceasestoexistpursuanttoArticle5a,paragraph(1),orisdissolvedpursuanttoArticle5a,paragraph(2).


Article 35c

1 Inthecaseofanenterpriseinwhichtherearenormallyatleast10andfewerthan50personsworkingandforwhichnoWorksCouncilhasbeenestablished,theentrepreneurmaysetupanemployeerepresentativebody[personeelsvertegenwoordiging]consistingofatleastthreememberswhoareelecteddirectlybysecretwrittenballotbyandfromamongthepersonsworkinginthesaidenterprise.

2 Attherequestofthemajorityofthepersonsworkingintheenterprise,theentrepreneurshallsetupanemployeerepresentativebodyasmentionedinparagraph(1).

3 Ifparagraph(1)hasbeenimplemented,Article5a,paragraph(2),thirdandfourthsentences,shallapplymutatismutandis.Thefollowingarticlesshallalsoapplymutatismutandis:7;13;17;18,paragraphs(1)and(2);21;22,paragraphs(1),(2)(insofaraslegalcostsareconcerned)andparagraphs(3)and(4);22a;27,paragraph(1)(b)(insofarasanarrangementonworkinghoursisconcerned),paragraph(1)(d),andparagraphs(3),(4),(5)and(6);31,paragraph(1);32;35b,paragraphs(4)and(5)(withtheexceptionoftheworkingconditionsmentionedinthelatterparagraph)andparagraph(7);and36.

4 TheentrepreneurshallsubmitinwritingtotheemployeerepresentativebodyanyproposeddecisionasmentionedinArticle27paragraph(1)(b)(insofarasanarrangementrelatingtoworkinghoursandrestperiodsisconcerned)and(d).Theentrepreneurshallincludeasummaryofthegroundsuponwhichhisdecisionisbasedandtheconsequencesitmaybeexpectedtohaveforthepersonsworkingintheenterprise.Theemployeerepresentativebodyshallnottakeadefinitivestandpointontheproposaluntilithasbeendiscussedwiththeentrepreneuratleastonceataconsultationmeeting.Assoonaspossibleafterthesaidconsultationmeeting,theemployeerepresentativebodyshallnotifytheentrepreneurinwritingofitsstandpoint,statingthegroundsuponwhichthestandpointisbased.Assoonaspossibleaftertheemployeerepresentativebodyhasmadeitsstandpointknown,theentrepreneurshallinformtherepresentativebodyofthedecisionhehastakenandthedateuponwhichthisdecisionwilltakeeffect.

5 Theemployeerepresentativebodymay,withthepermissionoftheentrepreneur,institutecommitteesorinviteexperts.Withregardtotheinvitationofexperts,iftheexpertreceivesnoremunerationorifanycostsincurredarepaidbytheemployeerepresentativebodyfromthesummentionedinArticle22,paragraph(3),theentrepreneur’spermissionshallnotberequired.Intheeventthattheentrepreneurgivespermissionforanexperttobeconsulted,anycoststherebyincurredshallbebornebytheentrepreneur.

6 InformationanddatasubmittedtotheemployeerepresentativebodythatinaccordancewithArticle31,paragraph(1),shouldbeprovidedinwritingmayalsobeprovidedbytheentrepreneurorally.Notwithstandingtheforegoing,informationwithregardtothepensionasatermofemploymentwillalwaysbeprovidedinwriting,wheretheentrepreneurhastheinformationavailableinwriting.

7 Theentrepreneurisobligedtoconsultwiththeemployeerepresentativebodyaboutthepensionasatermofemployment,iftheemployeerepresentativebodymakesareasonedrequesttothiseffect.


Article 35d

1 Inthecaseofanenterpriseinwhichtherearenormallyfewerthan10personsworkingandforwhichnoWorksCouncilhasbeenestablished,theentrepreneurmaysetupanemployeerepresentativebodyasmentionedinArticle35c,paragraph(1).

2 Thefollowingarticlesshallapplymutatismutandis:5a,paragraph(2),thirdandfourthsentences;7;13;17;18,paragraphs(1)and(2);21;22,paragraphs(1)and(3),and(insofaraslegalcostsareconcerned)paragraph(2);22a;27,paragraph(1)(b)(insofarasanarrangementrelatingtoworkinghoursandrestperiodsisconcerned)and(d),paragraphs(3),(4),(5)and(6);31,paragraph(1);32and36.

3 Article35c,paragraph(4),shallapplymutatismutandis;andArticle35c,paragraphs(5)and(6),shallapply.

VI Rules of arbitration

Article 36

1 Anypartywithalegitimateinterestmaypetitionthejudgeofthesub-districtsectortorulethattheentrepreneurortheWorksCouncilmustcomplywithallrequirementsstipulatedinorpursuanttothisActrelatingtotheestablishmentandmaintenanceofaWorksCouncil,thedrawingupofprovisionalordefinitiveRulesofProcedurefortheWorksCouncil,thenominationofcandidatesforandelectionofmemberstotheWorksCouncil,andalsorelatingtothepublishingoftheagendasandminutesofitsmeetings,insofarastheentrepreneurortheWorksCouncilareresponsibleforsuchmatters.

2 TheWorksCouncilandtheentrepreneurmaypetitionthejudgeofthesub-districtsectortorulethattheentrepreneurortheWorksCouncilmustcomplywiththerequirementsstipulatedinorpursuanttothisAct,insofarastheentrepreneurortheWorksCouncilareresponsibleforsuchmatters.

3 Apetitiontothejudgeofthesub-districtsectortoordercompliancewithArticle25,inrelationtoadecisionasmentionedtherein,shallbedeclaredinadmissibleifittranspiresthattheWorksCouncil,eitherbeforeoraftersubmittingsuchapetition,hassubmittedanappealagainstthesaiddecisiontotheEnterpriseSectionattheAmsterdamCourtofAppeal.

4 Apetitiontothejudgeofthesub-districtsectoronthebasisofArticle27,paragraphs(4)and(6),shallbeinadmissibleifarequirementasmentionedintheWorkingConditionsAct[Arbeidsomstandighedenwet]hasbeenmadeinrespectofthesamematter.

5 Inhisruling,thejudgeofthesub-districtsectormayordertheentrepreneurortheWorksCounciltoperformorrefrainfromperformingcertainactions.Theentrepreneurisforbiddennottoabidebyanysuchorder.IftheWorksCouncilfailstoabidebyanysuchorder,thejudgeofthesub-districtsectormaydissolvetheWorksCouncil,imposinguponittheobligationtoarrangeforanewWorksCounciltobeelected.IftheWorksCouncilremainsindefault,thejudgeofthesub-districtsectormayauthorisetheentrepreneurtoarrangeforanewWorksCounciltobeelected.


6 ThepreviousparagraphsshallapplymutatismutandistocompliancewiththerequirementsinorpursuanttothisActinrespectofCentralWorksCouncilsorGroupWorksCouncils.

Article 36a

Anypersonworkingintheenterprise,withtheexceptionofpersonsasmentionedinArticle35b,paragraph(8),andanyemployees’organisationwhosemembershipincludesatleastonepersonworkingintheenterpriseandwhoseobjectaccordingtoitsArticlesofAssociationistoprotecttheinterestsofitsmembersasemployeesandwhichoperatesassuchintherelevantenterpriseorindustrialsector,andwhichmoreoverhashadfulllegalcompetenceforatleasttwoyearsmayrequestthejudgeofthesub-districtsectortorulethattheentrepreneurmustcomplywiththeprovisionsofArticle35b.

VII Joint Sectoral Committees

Article 37

1 Forgroupsofenterprises,theCouncil(SER)shallsetupcommittees,calledJointSectoralCommittees,todealwithmattersrelatingtotheWorksCouncils,theCentralWorksCouncilsandtheGroupWorksCouncilsoftheseenterprises,theemployeerepresentativebodyandthemeetingasmentionedinArticle35b.

2 AJointSectoralCommitteeshallhaveanevennumberofmembers,butnolessthansix,tobedeterminedbytheCouncil(SER)afterconsultationwiththeorganisationsofentrepreneursandemployeesasmentionedinArticle38,andanequalnumberofdeputymembers.

Article 38

1 OnehalfofthemembersandthedeputymembersofJointSectoralCommitteesshallbeappointedbytherepresentativeorganisationororganisationsofentrepreneursdesignatedbytheCouncil(SER).TheotherhalfshallbeappointedbytherepresentativeorganisationororganisationsofemployeesdesignatedbytheCouncil(SER).

2 TheCouncil(SER)shalldeterminethenumberofmembersanddeputymembersthateachdesignatedorganisationmayappoint.

Article 39

1 TheCouncil(SER)shalldecreeadditionalrulesgoverningthecompositionoftheJointSectoralCommitteesandtheirprocedures.TheserulesshallempowersuchCommitteestoestablishsubcommittees,eitherfromtheirnumberorotherwise.AJointSectoralCommitteemayempoweritssubcommitteessoestablishedtoexercisethepowersoftheJointSectoralCommittee.


2 Inaddition,theCouncil(SER)shalllaydownrulesgoverningthechairmanshipoftheJointSectoralCommittees.TheserulesshallempoweranyJointSectoralCommitteetoelectachairman,withorwithoutvotingrights,fromoutsidetheirnumber.

Article 40

1 EachJointSectoralCommitteeshallsubmitanannualreporttoOurMinisterandtotheCouncil(SER)ofitsactivitiesduringtheprecedingcalendaryear.

2 OurMinistermaylaydownruleswithregardtothecompilationofthereport.

Article 41

1 ThecostsofaJointSectoralCommitteeshall,insofarasnootherprovisionhasbeenmade,bebornebytheorganisationsofentrepreneursandemployeesmentionedinArticle38inproportiontothenumberofmembersappointedbyeach.

2 IfanorganisationfailstopayitscontributiontowardsthecostsoftheJointSectoralCommitteewithintheperiodsetbytheJointSectoralCommittee,theCouncil(SER)may,withoutprejudicetotheorganisation’sliabilityforitsshareofthecostsalreadyincurred,withdrawthedesignationoftheorganisation.Inconsequenceofthiswithdrawalofdesignation,themembershipofthemembersanddeputymembersoftheJointSectoralCommitteewhohavebeenappointedbytheorganisationindefaultshalllapse,startingfromthetimeatwhichnotificationoftheCouncil(SER)’sresolutionreachestheJointSectoralCommittee.

Article 42

Article20,paragraphs(1)and(6),shallapplymutatismutandistothechairman,membersanddeputymembersoftheJointSectoralCommitteesandalsotothosepersonsresponsibleforoperatingthesecretariatoftheJointSectoralCommittee.

Article 43

(Nolongerinforce)

Article 44

(Nolongerinforce)


Article 45

(Nolongerinforce)

Article 46

1 IfmorethanoneJointSectoralCommitteeisauthorisedtodealwithmattersrelatingtoagivenWorksCouncil,CentralWorksCouncil,GroupWorksCouncil,employeerepresentativebodyormeetingasmentionedinArticle35b,theCouncil(SER)shalldesignateoneofthesaidJointSectoralCommitteestoactasthecommitteeauthorisedunderthetermsofthisActtodealwiththesaidmatters.

2 IfanentrepreneuroragroupofassociatedentrepreneursrunstwoormoreenterpriseswithrespecttowhichmorethanoneJointSectoralCommitteeisauthorised,theCouncil(SER)maysetupforthesaidenterprisesaseparateJointSectoralCommitteeormaydesignateoneofthesaidJointSectoralCommitteescommitteetoactasthecommitteeauthorisedunderthetermsofthisActtodealwithmattersrelatingtotheWorksCouncils,employeerepresentativebodiesandmeetingsofthesaidenterprisesasmentionedinArticle35b.

VII-A Special duty of the Social and Economic Council

Article 46a

WithoutprejudicetothedutiesandpowersallottedtotheCouncil(SER)inthisActandtherelatedprovisions,itisthedutyoftheCouncil(SER)toencourageemployeeparticipationinenterprises.

Article 46b

(Nolongerinforce)

Article 46c

(Nolongerinforce)


VII-B Special provisions for Works Councils in the Public Sector

Article 46d

Inthecaseofanenterpriseinwhichworkiscarriedoutexclusivelyoralmostexclusivelyonthebasisofapublic-lawemploymentcontract,thefollowingspecialprovisionsshallapply:a ForthepurposesofthisAct,theterm‘director’shallnotincludethefollowing:

1 Inthecaseofaministry:TheMinisterorajuniorminister[staatssecretaris];2 Inthecaseofaprovince:TheQueen’sCommissioner,amemberoftheProvincialExecutive

oraProvincialCouncillor;3 Inthecaseofamunicipality:TheMayor,amemberoftheMunicipalExecutiveora

MunicipalCouncillor;4 Inthecaseofawaterboard:TheChairman,amemberoftheExecutiveCommitteeora

memberoftheBoardofManagement;5 InthecaseofeitherhouseoftheDutchparliament:TheSpeakeroraMemberofParliament;6 InthecaseoftheCouncilofState:TheVice-Presidentoramember;7 InthecaseoftheNetherlandsCourtofAudit:ThePresidentoramemberoftheCourtof

Audit;8 InthecaseoftheofficeoftheNationalOmbudsman:TheNationalOmbudsmanora

DeputyOmbudsman.b InapplyingArticle23,paragraph(2),‘mattersrelatingtotheenterprise’shallnotincludethe

establishmentoftasksofpublicbodiesorpartsthereofbypubliclaw,norpolicyrelatingtoortheimplementationofthesaidtasks,exceptinsofarasthesamehaveconsequencesfortheactivitiesoftheemployees.

c Inanyapplicationof(b)inthedistrictcourts,courtsofappeal,theCentralAppealsTribunal[CentraleRaadvanBeroep]andtheTradeandIndustryAppealsTribunal[CollegevanBeroepvoorhetbedrijfsleven],‘mattersrelatingtotheenterprise’shallnotincludepolicywithrespecttotheimplementationofthejudicialdutiesmentionedinArticle23,paragraphs(2)and(3),oftheJudiciary(Organisation)Act[Wetopderechterlijkeorganisatie]excepttotheextentthattheyrelatetoconsequencesthereoffortheactivitiesofthepersonsworkingintheenterprise.

dThepowersvestedbythisActintheCouncil(SER)asmentionedinArticles5,8paragraphs(2)and(3),Articles37,38,39and41,paragraph(2),shallbeexercisedbytheMinisterofInternalAffairs.

e InapplyingArticle38,paragraph(1),oneormoreMinistersmaybedesignatedinadditiontoarepresentativeorganisationoremployers’organisations.

f ApartfromthepowermentionedinArticle46a,thepowersoftheCouncil(SER)toissuedecrees,shallnotextendtoenterprisesinwhichworkiscarriedoutexclusivelyoralmostexclusivelyonthebasisofapublic-lawemploymentcontract.

g If,pursuantto(d),theMinisterofInternalAffairshassetupaJointSectoralCommittee,thisCommitteeshall,withoutprejudicetotheprovisionsofArticle40,paragraph(1),submitanannualreporttotheMinisterofInternalAffairs.TheMinisterofInternalAffairsshallsubmitthesaidreporttotherelevantemployersoremployers’organisationsandthosecentralorganisationsforpublic-sectorpersonnelthatfallwithintheCouncilforPublicSectorPersonnelPolicy.


h PetitionsasmentionedinArticles27and36pertainingtoacourtoflawmaybeheardandruleduponbythejudgeinthesub-districtsectorofthefollowingcourtoflaw:1 pertainingtothecourtoflawAmsterdam:thecourtoflawNoord-Holland;2 pertainingtothecourtoflawDenHaag:thecourtoflawRotterdam;3 pertainingtothecourtoflawGelderland:thecourtoflawOverijssel;4 pertainingtothecourtoflawLimburg:thecourtoflawOost-Brabant;5 pertainingtothecourtoflawMidden-Nederland:derechtbankNoord-Nederland6 pertainingtothecourtoflawNoord-Holland:thecourtoflawAmsterdam;7 pertainingtothecourtoflawNoord-Nederland:thecourtoflawMidden-Nederland;8 pertainingtothecourtoflawOost-Brabant:thecourtoflawZeeland-West-Brabant;9 pertainingtothecourtoflawOverijssel:thecourtoflawGelderland;10pertainingtothecourtoflawRotterdam:thecourtoflawDenHaag;11pertainingtothecourtoflawZeeland-West-Brabant:thecourtoflawLimburg.

i AnyappealasmentionedinArticle26,paragraph(1),pertainingtotheCourtofAppealAmsterdam,shallbesubmittedtotheCourtofAppealTheHague.

Article 46e

1 ThepowersgrantedtotheMinisterofInternalAffairsmentionedinArticle46dshallbeexercisedonlyafterconsultationwiththerelevantemployersoremployers’organisationsandthecentralorganisationsforpublic-sectorpersonnelthatfallwithintheCouncilforPublicSectorPersonnelPolicy[RaadvoorhetOverheidspersoneelsbeleid].

2 Inconsultationsasmentionedin(1),centralorganisationsforpublic-sectorpersonnelpolicyshallcommandthesamenumberofvotesastherelevantemployersoremployers’organisations.

3 AdecisionbytheMinisterofInternalAffairsonmattersasmentionedinArticle8,paragraphs(2)and(3)andArticle39ofthisActshallrequiretheendorsementoftwothirdsoftheparticipantsinameetingasmentionedinparagraph(1).AdecisionbytheMinisterofInternalAffairsonmattersasmentionedinArticles5,37,38and41,paragraph(2),shallrequiretheendorsementofamajorityoftheparticipantsinameetingasmentionedinparagraph(1).

VIII Transitional and final provisions

Article 47

FurtherrulesmaybelaiddownbyorpursuanttoanOrderinCouncilintheinterestsoftheproperimplementationofthisAct.


Article 48

1 AnyentrepreneurwhoisunderanobligationtoestablishaWorksCouncilshall,insofarasnecessary,establishbyprovisionalRulesofProcedureprovisionsthatproperlyfallunderthepowersoftheWorksCounciluntilsuchtimeastheWorksCouncilexercisesthesepowersitself.Theviewsoftheemployees’organisationororganisationsasmentionedinArticle9,paragraph(2)(a),shallbesoughtwithregardtothesaidprovisionalRulesofProcedure.

2 Article8,paragraph(1),firstandsecondsentences,andparagraph(2)shallapplymutatismutandistothesaidprovisionalRulesofProcedure.TheprovisionalRulesofProcedureshallceasetobeeffectivefromthemomenttheWorksCouncilhasestablishedRulesofProcedureasmentionedinArticle8.

3 TheprecedingparagraphsshallapplymutatismutandistoanyentrepreneurorentrepreneurswhohasorhaveestablishedaCentralWorksCounciloraGroupWorksCouncil.

Article 49

1 AnyentrepreneurwhoisunderanobligationtoestablishoneormoreWorksCouncilsandthesaidWorksCouncilorWorksCouncilsshall,uponrequest,supplyinformationabouttheestablishmentandfunctioningofthesaidWorksCouncilorWorksCouncilstooneofOurMinister’sofficials,designatedbyhim.

2 Paragraph(1)shallapplymutatismutandistoanyentrepreneurorentrepreneurswhohasorwhohaveestablishedaCentralWorksCounciloraGroupWorksCouncil,andtothesaidCentralWorksCouncilorGroupWorksCouncil.

Article 49a

(Nolongerinforce)

Article 50

Fortheyears2006and2007,‘Article40,introductorywordsandparagraph(1)(b)’inArticle25,paragraph(1)(m)shallbereadas‘Article122d,paragraph(2)’.

Article 51

AnyJointSectoralCommitteessetupbytheCouncil(SER)byvirtueoftheWorksCouncilsAct[Wetopdeondernemingsraden,Staatsblad,1950,K174]shallbedeemedtohavebeensetupbytheCouncil(SER)byvirtueofthepresentAct.


Article 52

(Nolongerinforce)

Article 53

1 ThepresentActshallnotapplytothepublicteachinghospitals,theRoyalNetherlandsAcademyofArtsandSciences,theRoyalLibrary,ortheNetherlandsOrganisationforScientificResearch,mentionedintheHigherEducationandResearchAct[Wetophethogeronderwijsenwetenschappelijkonderzoek].TheActestablishesrulesgoverningthedecisionbytheboardofapubliclyfundedinstitutionforhighereducation,asmentionedinArticle1.2,parta,oftheHigherEducationandResearchAct,astowhetherthesaidAct,withtheexceptionofSectionVIIB,isorisnotapplicabletothesaidinstitution.

2 UpontherecommendationoftheMinisterofEducation,CultureandScience,itmaybedecreedbyOrderinCouncilthattheexceptionmentionedinparagraph(1),firstsentence,shallnotapplytooneormoreoftheinstitutionslisted.ItmayadditionallybedecreedthatChapterVII-BofthepresentActshallnotapply.

3 SectionVII-BshallnotapplytopublicinstitutionsmentionedintheAdultandVocationalEducationAct[Weteducatieenberoepsonderwijs].

4 (ContainsamendmentstotheHigherEducationandResearchAct[Wetophethogeronderwijsenwetenschappelijkonderzoek]andtotheNetherlandsOrganisationforScientificResearchAct[WetopdeNederlandseorganisatievoorwetenschappelijkonderzoek].)

Article 53a

ThisActshallnotapplytotheMinistryofDefenceandanydepartments,enterprisesorinstitutionsthatfallunderit.

Article 53b

ThisActshallnotapplytojudicialofficersoftheSupremeCourt.

Article 53c

ThisActshallnotapplyto:a MembersoftheCouncilofState;b MembersoftheNetherlandsCourtofAudit;c TheNationalOmbudsmanandhisdeputies.


Article 54

1 ThisActmaybecitedastheWorksCouncilsAct[WetopdeOndernemingsraden].2 TheActshallcomeintoforceonadatetobedeterminedbyUs.

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English version

BaxterCommunications,Hilversum(2011,2013)

Livewords,Maastricht(2019)

Design and printing

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SOCIAAL-ECONOMISCHE RAAD

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P.O. Box 90405

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© 2019, Sociaal-Economische Raad

Documents

Works Councils Act - Sociaal-Economische Raad (SER) · The SER (Sociaal-Economische Raad, Social and Economic Council) is an important advisory body to the Dutch government and the