Statement of UNI Europa affiliated unions at the Auchan EWC meeting that urges Auchan to pay compensation to victims in Bangladesh
At its meeting on 15 November, Auchan UNI EWC members expressed their indignation at Auchan empty chair policy that the company has been practising during the negotiations on compensation. The group point to the contradiction whereby the Auchan group acknowledges its responsibility when it comes to fire safety and building safety but at the same time does not want to play a part in compensating victims, which is the logical follow-up to the first Fire and Building Safety Accord.
The EWC members that signed the declaration insist on the fact that UNI, the recognised representative in these negotiations and the main interlocutor, should be present in this EWC body so as to provide the workers’ representatives with an equal and precise state of play of the situation. UNI affiliated Unions represented in the EWC asked on several occasions to invite UNI Europa to present the Bangladesh Accord that was signed between Auchan, UNI Global Union and IndustryALL in June 2013, including at its last plenary meeting last week but up to now, the company has refused to reply to their request. Since its creation, the Auchan management does not allow UNI Europa to participate to the meetings of the EWC. Despite several attempts to meet management representatives’, the company has closed any possible dialogue with UNI Europa.
The EWC members that signed the declaration insist on the fact that UNI, the recognised representative in these negotiations and the main interlocutor, should be present in this EWC body so as to provide the workers’ representatives with an equal and precise state of play of the situation. UNI affiliated Unions represented in the EWC asked on several occasions to invite UNI Europa to present the Bangladesh Accord that was signed between Auchan, UNI Global Union and IndustryALL in June 2013, including at its last plenary meeting last week but up to now, the company has refused to reply to their request. Since its creation, the Auchan management does not allow UNI Europa to participate to the meetings of the EWC. Despite several attempts to meet management representatives’, the company has closed any possible dialogue with UNI Europa.
Date of publication
15 November 2013
Available language
French
Country/countries concerned
European Union
Categories
European Works Council
Other Related Documents
IRES: The impact of Brexit on European Works Councils (EWCs): negotiations within French, German and British multinational companies
EU: Directive amending Directive 2009/38 as regards the establishment and operation of European Works Councils and the effective enforcement of transnational information and consultation rights
European Parliament: Legislative resolution of 9 October 2025 on the proposal for a directive amending Directive 2009/38/EC as regards the establishment and functioning of European Works Councils and the effective enforcement of transnational information and consultation rights
Other IR Share Services
We are called upon to devise training programmes based on needs expressed by a number of companies; we publish analyses and create tailor-made training activities for groups, works councils, trade unions and law firms. Our most recent projects are described here
IR Notes
The IR Notes newsletter gives everyone in Europe access to an independent, reliable and impartial source of information on topics involving industrial relations.
IR Training
Members of the IR Share team are regularly called upon to devise training courses. We deliver these either directly or working together with partners, to ensure that the training is tailored to the exact needs expressed.
IR Research
As Eurofound’s National correspondent, IR Share provides information on working conditions, industrial relations and the labour market to support the EU institutions and bodies, Member States and social partners in shaping social Europe, as well as promoting social dialogue on the basis of comparative information and research.
IR Club
Since 2011, the European Works Councils Club has sought to co-construct the foundations of a European social dialogue that can meet the social and environmental challenges faced by transnational companies.
Get in Touch
Follow us on Social Media
