From May 2024, employers will be obliged to consult the works council before employing third-country workers.
Article 264(1) of Act I of 2012 on the Labour Code provides that the employer must consult the works council at least fifteen days before its decision on draft employer measures and regulations affecting a large group of employees. For any additional increase of five per cent, the employer must seek the opinion of the works council.
It is worth keeping in mind that the works council cannot veto the employer’s measure; but it does have the right to initiate consultation.