IG Metall opposes proposals to limit works council rights

The German trade union IG Metall has rejected proposals from employers to limit the rights of works councils. The conflict follows statements by employer president Rainer Dulger and a working paper from the Confederation of German Employers' Associations (BDA), which calls for a reform of the Works Constitution Act to accelerate corporate decision-making processes.

Dulger argued that companies must be able to make urgent decisions without waiting for rulings from arbitration committees. In response, IG Metall's co-determination executive André Arenz stated that works councils are not a burden but a contributor to economic success and future viability. Arenz emphasized that works councils protect employee health, ensure fair working conditions, and prevent management from making unilateral decisions at the expense of staff.