ABSTRACT
This chapter examines the impact of the international instruments in operation and under discussion and why the Trade Unions and some Governments have none the less demanded legislation in the area of consultation and information. Much of the debate about the Vredeling Proposal has centred on the effectiveness of international codes of conduct. The employers argued that the voluntary nature of existing international instruments was the reason for their success. The stipulation in the first version of the Vredeling Proposal that workers have the right to access to the real-decision takers within an M.N.C., even with international management, is contained in paragraph 9 of the Organisation of Economic Co-operation and Development. Under certain circumstances, the International Labour Office Declaration allows for negotiations between workers and international managers. The need for a more binding instrument, like the Vredeling Proposal, to give employees the right to be consulted and informed by M.N.C. management, is clearly recognised by International Trade Unions.
