Statutes and Agreements in European Countries

Abstract

The first statutory regulation of employee representation in Austria was in an act of 1896 concerning the mining industry.¹ Under paragraph 23 of this act, local worker committees were to be established in each mine. Each committee had at least three members. The committees had to establish communication between the owner on one hand and the employees on the other hand in questions of remuneration and working conditions. They had to try to solve differences of opinion in these questions and do everything to establish a good relationship between owner and workers. Provided their approval the local worker committees could be entrusted with other matters especially assistance in the administration of the welfare institutions which existed in the mines as well as in the supervisory activities regarding observation of the work rules and regulations for the safety and security of the workers.