Every two years, young employees up to age 18, as well as apprentices and dual-track students, elect their Youth and Apprentice Representative Committee (JAV). This independent body is tasked with safeguarding their rights and interests at the workplace. Prerequisite for a JAV: The workplace must have at least five eligible voters and a works council. All young employees up to the age of 18 and all apprentices (regardless of age) are eligible to vote for the Youth and Apprentice Representative Committee.
What is the JAV?
In addition to the works council members, who represent all employees, many companies also have a JAV that specifically represents the interests of young employees and apprentices. The JAV supports apprentices with all important issues related to their training. It is important that the JAV works very closely with us so that it can stay up to date on all relevant matters, receive regular training, and exchange ideas with JAVs from other companies.
What does the JAV do?
The Works Constitution Act governs the duties and rights of the JAV. One of the JAV’s tasks is to ensure that apprentices are treated fairly—and that the boss complies with the laws, regulations, and collective bargaining agreements that apply to them. The JAV steps in when there are problems with the foreman, for example. Or when the quality of the training is lacking—such as when an apprentice is made to make coffee and clean instead of learning their trade.
The JAV also organizes initiatives, such as at company-wide meetings, through which apprentices and young people can make their demands clear—not only to the boss, but also to the rest of the workforce. After all, they need the support of older employees to achieve their goals. In addition, the JAV works with the works council to ensure that the company hires all apprentices on permanent contracts after they pass their final exams.
Here’s what the JAV does specifically:
- It advises young people and apprentices on issues related to work and training.
- It ensures that laws and collective bargaining agreements are followed at the workplace.
- It advocates for permanent employment after the apprenticeship.
- It promotes equality for women and immigrants within the company.
- It meets regularly to discuss any issues that arise and find appropriate solutions.
Comprehensive counseling: It’s your right
Trainees can seek expert assistance from the JAV and learn about their rights and obligations—even during work hours, without having to give a reason. In addition, many JAVs offer regular office hours, giving you the opportunity to schedule a specific time for a meeting. Or you can become a JAV member yourself by running for election. This way, you can assert your own rights while also helping your coworkers.
Rights
Special rights and protective regulations apply to the representatives of young people and apprentices in the workplace. For example, the JAV has the right to
- to invite all young employees eligible to vote to a meeting four times a year during working hours. The employer must provide them with a room;
- to conduct a survey, for example, to assess compliance with regulations;
- to vote on works council resolutions that affect young people, apprentices, and dual-track students;
- to participate in all works council meetings—normally with one JAV member, but as the entire JAV when the agenda primarily concerns young people and apprentices;
- to participate in meetings between the works council and the employer in which topics important to young people or apprenticeships are discussed;
- to be informed by the works council in a timely and comprehensive manner so that it can fulfill its duties. The works council must provide the JAV with all documents it needs to represent its interests;
- To propose measures to the works council that are important for apprentices and to insist that they be implemented;
- to ensure that JAV members are granted time off for training sessions and seminars related to the JAV’s duties. During this time, the JAV member continues to receive wages and salary.
Protection
The following regulations are intended to protect young people active in the JAV from being disadvantaged by their employer:
- The employer may not hinder the JAV in its work or discriminate against it within the company.
- Dismissal is only possible if there are exceptional grounds (for example, a criminal offense). The works council must give its consent.
- The employer must hire JAV members and their alternate candidates—if the alternates have served temporarily as JAV members over the past year—upon completion of their training. However, a request for this must be submitted to the employer within the last three months before the training ends. Although permanent employment now generally applies to all apprentices in companies covered by our metal or steel collective bargaining agreement, the JAV members are granted additional special legal protections to ensure they cannot be blackmailed.
Further information on the rights and obligations of young employees at the workplace and the work of the JAV is available at our regional offices.
