Clariane: Joint statement by the European Company Works Council (EESC) and the Clariane Group

The Clariane group is currently facing a difficult economic situation, which is forcing it to strengthen its financial structure and dispose of some of its assets (see press release), prompting the company’s management and its European company EWC to issue a joint declaration, at the council’s plenary meeting held to discuss the reorganisation. This step is in accordance with EU law, which requires social dialogue to facilitate company restructurings, by sharing information ahead of any decisions made. The declaration states that the European company’s EWC “wishes to cooperate with the group with a view to supporting its employees in the best interests of all stakeholders, in the face of the crisis that the sector is currently experiencing.” “In the case of the proposed asset disposals already announced”, the EWC will check “the terms of these disposals” and express “its opinions, so that they can be taken into account”. The EWC “will have access to expert advice of its choosing (…) for the purpose of evaluating the company’s plans”. The parties “jointly reaffirm that they will not accept any compromises regarding either the quality of care and services provided to residents and patients or the working conditions of Clariane’s employees”.