Workers abroad may force issue

UK
employers should be more responsible in the way they consult their workforce
about redundancies if they want to stave off tough European legislation,
according to Trade and Industry minister Alan Johnson.

Speaking exclusively to Personnel Today, Johnson said pressure has built up
to adopt the EU directive on information and consultation because UK workers in
trans-national companies can see that colleagues in other parts of Europe are
consulted more fully.

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Johnson said, "If UK employers believe in a voluntary approach, some
companies can do a bit better in the way they inform and consult their
workers."

He said that the UK would continue to oppose the directive and stressed that
the Government’s review of domestic consultation legislation is still in
progress.