Joint declaration on subcontracting signed at Club Méditerranée

In June 2001, the European Works Council and management of the Club Méditerranée leisure group signed a joint declaration on the respect of fundamental principles and rights at work in the context of subcontracting. The initiative is in response to employee representatives' concerns about the growing trend towards subcontracting in the group.

A joint declaration on subcontracting was signed on 19 June 2001 by the European Works Council (or European Social Dialogue Committee) of the French-based leisure group, Club Méditerranée Group (Club Med) and group management. The employee side of the EWC is coordinated by the European Federation of Trade Unions in the Food, Agriculture and Tourism Sectors (EFFAT), which also has a seat on the body.

The declaration notes that employee representatives had been expressing concern about the trend towards subcontracting in Club Med holiday villages. The issue was discussed at a meeting on 7 June 2001 and a joint declaration between the EWC and Club Med management was subsequently devised.

The declaration states that Club Med companies will, "as and when necessary", call upon the services of subcontractors with special skills and know-how. However, it states expressly that the terms under which subcontractors are hired will comply fully with social legislation and collective agreements in the relevant country.

Further, Club Med pledges to ensure that subcontracting companies hired by Club Med establishments respect the relevant company and collective agreements, in addition to complying with all relevant regulations governing social security. Subcontractors should also respect the provisions contained in the International Labour Organisation (ILO) Declaration on fundamental principles and rights at work.

With regard to matters related to social conditions in outsourced activities, in the event of any issue arising from, or difficulty relating to, the respect of any of the above principles, the declaration states that staff representatives from all establishments ("villages") may refer the issue to the management of the village or the respective national Club Med management.

Finally, Club Med undertakes to ensure that any recourse to subcontractors is in line with the "moral code governing respect for individuals and laws," as well as with the customs of the relevant country.

The Club Med joint declaration is the latest example of a joint text agreed by management and EWC in a multinational company - such initiatives are relatively rare, but recent cases include General Motors and Ford/Visteon (DE0004254N).