EU social partners: Commission consults on cross-border transfers

On 20 June 2007, the European Commission launched a first-stage consultation of EU-level trade union and employers' organisations on cross-border transfers of undertakings.

In a recent report, the commission concluded that the absence of specific provisions on cross-border business transfers in Directive 2001/23/EC on the approximation of the laws of the member states relating to the safeguarding of employees' rights in the event of transfers of undertakings, businesses or part of undertakings or businesses can cause uncertainties for employers and employees.