The concept of works council participation has a long tradition in Germany, dating back to the Weimar Republic following World War I. Information and consultation rights for employee representatives were introduced by the Works Councils Act 1920 (Betriebsrätegesetz). After World War II, the German government built on this tradition by passing the Works Constitution Act 1952 (Betriebsverfassungsgesetz 1952 – BetrVG 1952), which also granted extensive information and consultation rights to works councils. The rights of works councils have since been significantly strengthened by the Works Constitution Act 1972 (Betriebsverfassungsgesetz 1972 – BetrVG), which governs cooperation between employers and works councils. Unlike previous legislation, it gives works councils not only information and consultation rights, but also co-determination rights.
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