The establishment of works councils remains a pending subject in much of the labor fabric, and they are essential to move towards more mature employment relationships. The regulation finalized by the Government should contribute to overcoming some of the barriers that have made it difficult for workers to take this step, especially when the initiative to organize elections can lead to misgivings within the company. Allowing employees to confidentially request the Department of Labor to initiate the process is an important safeguard. The fact that there are already at least two large companies in the service sector interested shows that there is a demand that has not always found ways to materialize. The representation of workers should not be understood as an element of confrontation with the employer, but as a tool to organize the dialogue and channel the interests of both parties. A works committee makes it possible to have interlocutors legitimized by the workforce, to address problems before they turn into conflicts and to negotiate more balanced working conditions. It is also a necessary piece to promote collective bargaining, still underdeveloped in the country, and move towards agreements adapted to each company or sector. Salaries, schedules, conciliation or work organization can find a stable space for negotiation in this framework. The new mechanism, however, will only be effective if workers know about it and are confident that they can use it without exposing themselves. That is why it is reasonable for the regulation to be accompanied by sufficient information about the rights and procedures available. Government, unions and employers have agreed on the legal framework and it is now up to them to contribute to make it work. Normalizing works councils does not mean importing a culture of confrontation, but having instruments so that discrepancies can be resolved through dialogue. An economy that aspires to modernize labor relations needs strong companies, but also organized workers with a recognized voice.
