Employers and trade unions agreed this week to try to establish guidelines for worker consultation

Date: 17/04/1997

when companies decide to close down operations. Employers' federation UNICE, the European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC) and the public sector employees group CEEP agreed to hold talks on the issue at a meeting called by the Dutch presidency in the wake of the Renault-Vilvoorde controversy.

Social Affairs Commissioner Pádraig Flynn also said he was considering strengthening sanctions on firms breaking EU rules. The social partners will report on their discussions to the June meeting of EU social affairs ministers.