This work presents the discussion highlights and papers from the 28-29 April 1997 Conference held by the Euro-Japan Institute for Law and Business in Leuven-Belgium.

The work from this lively, focused conference covers the most significant recently-passed legislation, starting with the European Works Council Directive of 22 December 1994, and ending with the Treaty of Amsterdam presented in June 1997.

The bulk of Labour Law and Industrial Relations in the European Union focuses on the European Works Council Directive currently in force throughout all EU Member States and the EEA countries, except the United Kingdom. The discussion concentrates on the implementation process in the Member States, with national reports presented in alphabetical order by country, and additional reports from EEA countries, North America, and Japan.

The wide range of issues also discussed in this work includes:

The important, recently passed Posting of Workers Directive which addresses the working conditions for sub-contracting, working in a group, or temporary work;

The first European collective agreement concluded on Parental Leave;

Fundamental Social Rights and their treatment at the Intergovernmental Conference of June 1997;

Developments on working time regulations within the EU; and

The newly promulgated Treaty of Amsterdam, with a focus on the social provisions.