[Verse 1] In Germany they call it Betriebsrat In France it's the comité enterprise Workers vote for who will speak their part Employee councils with real legal ties Not just suggestions in a comment box Real power shared where decisions get made When management wants to change the clocks The council gets a voice, not just afraid [Chorus] Employee-elected representation Not HR speaking for the company line Real workers chosen by their nation Of colleagues who know what's yours and mine Information, consultation, co-determination Three levels of power climbing high That's employee-elected representation The European way to balance the pie [Verse 2] Working hours, pay structures, safety rules Hiring criteria, who gets let go Office moves and layoffs, management tools Can't be used without the workers' "know" Council members get protection strong From retaliation and vengeful acts Paid time off to right what might be wrong Defending all the workplace facts [Chorus] Employee-elected representation Not HR speaking for the company line Real workers chosen by their nation Of colleagues who know what's yours and mine Information, consultation, co-determination Three levels of power climbing high That's employee-elected representation The European way to balance the pie [Bridge] America's missing this crucial piece HR serves the boss, not you and me But across the ocean, there's workplace peace When workers vote democratically Legal rights that can't be pushed aside A structural check on employer might Standing strong with workers' side Making workplace power feel more right [Chorus] Employee-elected representation Not HR speaking for the company line Real workers chosen by their nation Of colleagues who know what's yours and mine Information, consultation, co-determination Three levels of power climbing high That's employee-elected representation The balance that HR can't provide [Outro] When workers choose who speaks their voice Real democracy comes to work That's the European structural choice Where employee power doesn't lurk In shadows of the HR game But stands in sunlight, proud and true Employee councils stake their claim For me and for you
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