Document Type : Research Paper
Authors
1 PhD student of Faculty of Law and Political Sciences - Allameh Tabataba'i University
2 Faculty of Law and Political Sciences - Allameh Tabataba'i University
Abstract
This article analyzes the dual system of workers’ representation in German labor law, which is based on two complementary yet distinct institutions — trade unions and works councils — that form the foundation of the country’s industrial democracy. The main research problem is to evaluate the effectiveness of this system in the face of structural transformations in the contemporary labor market, including the expansion of digital employment, declining union membership, and increasing workforce fragmentation. The central research question asks whether the dual system of workers’ representation remains capable of responding to the evolving needs of the labor force or requires institutional reconstruction and legal reform. The study adopts a descriptive–analytical and interdisciplinary approach, drawing on legal, historical, and institutional data to examine the origins, structure, and evolution of this system. The findings indicate that while the dual representation model remains effective in traditional industries, it faces significant weaknesses in new forms of employment. study concludes that the sustainability of this legal framework depends on strengthening the linkage between trade unions and works councils, expanding the inclusiveness of representation, and adapting to technological and labor market changes to maintain the balance between social justice and economic dynamism within Germany’s industrial democracy.
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