张喜亮谈职工董事地位和作用

张喜亮


张喜亮：央企职工董事地位尴尬、监控作用有限

　　“资本至上往往使管理者忽视职工利益。如果企业负责人把职工董事理解成政治安排而当成花瓶摆设，或认为职工董事对于董事会决策没有实质性的意义，甚至认为是在董事会中掺沙子，职工董事将很难发挥作用，这也是为何要单独制定职工董事履职管理办法的深层次原因”

　　“工资增长速度应高于物价上涨速度！希望领导尽快解决，维持工人正常生活！”在通胀的压力下，要问企业职工最关心的事，无疑就是涨工资、同工同酬、带薪休假了。
　　职工的愿望能不能实现，除了工会为大家说话外，在董事会层面，职工董事也是很重要的角色。
　　“职工董事有着特别的职责。”中国建筑材料集团公司职工董事熊吉文表示。“其他董事，是上级任命和派出，主要代表出资人的利益；而职工董事，要代表三方面的利益，出资人、企业、广大职工。特别是在维护职工合法权益方面，负有重大的责任。”
　　从2006年开始，央企在部分国有独资公司中开始职工董事试点，至今两年了，这个制度在试点过程中情况如何？职工董事在履职中如何平衡出资人利益、企业利益和职工利益？记者对此进行了调查。
　　上市公司职工董事屈指可数
　　“在董事会中，最难谈的一个是董事长，一个就是职工董事。”面对记者的问题，多家试点企业的职工董事言辞谨慎，“因为太敏感了”。
　　在调查中记者发现，目前有的试点公司虽然有职工董事，但上市后就不设置了，而上市公司中，设职工董事的也屈指可数。
　　“按照公司法规定，两个以上的国有企业或者两个以上的其他国有投资主体投资设立的有限责任公司，必须在董事会中有职工代表，但股份公司没有这个要求，法律只规定必须设职工监事。”一家上市公司的董秘解释取消的原因。“另外，想进董事会的公司领导很多，能有职工监事就很不容易了。”
　　据中国社科院世界经济与政治研究所最新报告显示，在百强上市公司治理中，一方面，过高的提名董事、监事候选人的持股比例要求，“有效”地削弱了中小股东的权利行使力度；另一方面，公司缺乏有力的职工参与公司治理的机制，致使一体化的“大股东—董事—高管”对上市公司强力控制，很少受到其他力量的约束。
　　报告称：“职工董事几乎没有，职工监事数量虽然符合法律规定，但是陷于地位尴尬的中国公司监事会制度构架内，实际监控作用也很有限。”
　　国资委有关负责人认为，随着股权多元化的趋势，董事会的结构也更加复杂，和传统的国有企业还不太一样。在上市公司中如何发挥职工董事的作用，的确需要今后不断解决、创新和完善。
　　股份公司中要不要设立职工董事，目前也有争议。有人认为，董事会是出资人的“俱乐部”，职工没有公司的股份，当然在股份公司中就没有参加董事会的依据。另一方面，设立职工董事主要是更好地维护职工的权利，出资人和经理人有抵触情绪很正常。
　　劳动关系专家张喜亮认为，这种看法很偏颇。从美国、德国、日本的情况看，设职工董事根本目的是为了更好地提高劳动生产率、保障决策的正确性和可执行性，从而更大地提高企业效益。
　　目前，很多发达国家的法律都对董事会必须设置职工董事作出了强制性的规定。“所以，无论在怎样的公司企业中，设置职工董事是必然趋势。”
　　职工董事几乎没有一线职工
　　既要代表出资人利益，又要代表企业和职工利益，职工董事如何扮演适当角色，在实践中也面临困境。
　　首先在职工来源上，职工董事应该由谁来担任比较合适，企业管理人员能不能担任职工董事仍有不少争议。
　　按照试点办法规定：“公司党委（党组）书记和未兼任工会主席的党委副书记、纪委书记（纪检组组长）；公司总经理、副总经理、总会计师等不得担任公司职工董事。”目前试点企业的大多数职工董事身兼数职，不少是党委副书记、纪委书记、工会主席集于一身，几乎没有一线职工。
　　一家企业的职工董事告诉记者，管理人员担任或者兼职职工董事，往往造成企业副手监督正手，使职工董事制度失去意义。
　　在张喜亮看来，在理论上，公司管理职务的人是不应当成为职工董事候选人的，因为设置职工董事的意义就在于反映职工诉求。这个职工不是泛泛而谈的，而应当是专找不担任任何管理职务的职工，否则必然形成角色的冲突。但是，如果在文件中如果刻意这样规定，有人则认为是对管理人员权利的剥夺，因为在国有企业，大家都是平等身份的“职工”。
　　然而由一线职工担任职工董事，熊吉文认为也不太合适。因为一线职工了解的情况相对不多，其工作性质和经历决定他作用有限，即使是有这个热情，但发挥的作用可能不大，弄得不好，很可能成为一个摆设。“要让职工董事不成为摆设，就要摆脱‘不懂事的董事’的形象。”
　　据悉，目前职工董事在讨论劳动工资与劳动保护方面的内容，有一定发言权；而在研究股票上市、资本运营、国际贸易等方面，有的职工董事便无法参与决策。此外，对公司的资产负债表、损益表、财务状况变动表有关知识不熟悉的话，更无法有效参与监督经营者的经营行为。
　　其次，在职工董事的评价考核上，按照试点办法和管理办法征求意见稿规定，职工董事履职情况由公司职代会或工会来评价，而集团一级的职工代表大会到今年3月只有62家央企建立，还有一部分企业正在筹建。
　　一位央企中层人员告诉记者，目前职工意见主要集中在收入分配上，职工董事很难真正替职工说话，职工也没办法。
　　国资委有关负责人表示，国有企业这几年处在攻坚破难阶段，改革重组、企业破产改制、主辅分离、下岗分流，每一项措施都涉及到职工的切身利益。职工董事如何处理好三方关系，如何提高科学决策能力，以及在角色定位和工作环境上都面临挑战。
　　按照国资委2006年发布的《国有独资公司董事会试点企业职工董事管理办法》（试行）（以下简为试点办法）规定，董事会试点企业必须设立“至少一名职工董事”。目前，146家央企中已有19家企业设立了职工董事。
　　而国资委数易其稿的《职工董事履职管理办法》（以下简为管理办法）也将于年内发布。对于二者有何区别，国资委研究中心研究员张喜亮表示：“试点办法为建立职工董事制度提供了依据，管理办法为完善制度提供了保障。”
　　熊吉文表示，试点办法侧重于建立职工董事制度，规定建立董事会试点企业一定要有职工董事，并规定了由什么人来担任，选举的程序，职工董事的权利、义务、责任，职工董事的任期、补选、罢免等。管理办法则侧重于对职工董事的履职管理，有一定的可操作性。
　　其中，管理办法有两大亮点：第一，文件从党组织、职代会、公司经理、工会等多个方面，为职工董事履职提供了制度保障；第二，对职工董事履行特别职责做了具体规定，如忠实反映职工诉求、维护职工权益，与职工进行经常沟通、接受职工的监督等等。
　　据了解，管理办法在制定过程中至少修改了十稿。张喜亮表示，一方面，对于中央企业而言，每一步改革都必须要慎重，因为政策执行涉及面广，影响比较大。另一方面，对职工董事制度业界尚有不同的看法，一些领导虽然对董事会中设置职工董事表示理解，但是还不能完全认同，这也是制定管理办法有难度的一个原因。
　　而在制定过程中如何处理试点办法和管理办法的关系，是不是要专门设置职工董事的特别职责，特别职责和一般职责的联系和区别是什么；管理办法的适用范围是扩大还是与试点办法相一致；职工董事接受职工监督的程序、向职代会报告工作的主体和内容、职工董事与工会的关系问题等等都曾是讨论的焦点。
　　记者注意到，管理办法征求意见稿中还区分了“议决事项”和“通报事项”。
　　议决事项主要包括：公司劳动用工、薪酬福利、劳动保护、安全生产和培训教育等涉及职工切身利益的基本管理制度的制定及修改；通报事项主要包括：职工民主管理和民主监督方面的诉求、意见与建议，以及涉及职工利益的有关诉求意见或倾向性问题。
　　张喜亮评价说：“具有一定创意。因为董事会的职权和职工诉求并不完全相同，议决事项的议题一般都是董事会职权决策的内容；通报事项则不一定纳入董事会决策的议题，但是，董事会决策必须了解涉及职工的资讯。加以区分的目的是使职工董事密切接触职工，了解职工的诉求，并且主动积极地与股东董事和独立董事的沟通。”
　　但熊吉文认为，议决事项涉及的多数内容，目前并不是董事会的议事范围，而是总经理履行的职权。董事会主要讨论的是企业发展战略、重大项目的投资、融资、担保、企业改革重组、经营班子的选聘考核和任免、薪酬管理等重大事项，一般不讨论劳动用工、薪酬制度、劳动保护、休息休假、安全生产、培训教育和生活福利等事项。职工董事难于履行此项职责，他建议修改。
　　仅仅设立职工董事是不够的，企业负责人是否有公司治理意识是制度实施的关键。
　　张喜亮表示，资本至上往往使管理者忽视职工利益，我们看到一些企业重组改制过程中出现职工群体信访事件等等。如果企业负责人理解职工董事是政治的安排而当成花瓶摆设，或认为职工董事对于董事会决策没有实质性的意义，甚至认为是在董事会中掺沙子，职工董事将很难发挥作用，这也是为何要单独制定职工董事履职管理办法的深层次原因。

（2008.10）


The National People's Congress


LAW OF THE PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF CHINA ON FOREIGN-CAPITAL ENTER-PRISES

(Adopted at the Fourth Session of the Sixth National People's
Congress, promulgated by Order No. 39 of the President of the People's
Republic of China and effective as of April 12, 1986)


Article 1
With a view to expanding economic cooperation and technical exchange with
foreign countries and promoting the development of China's national
economy, the People's Republic of China permits foreign enterprises, other
foreign economic organizations and individuals (hereinafter collectively
referred to as "foreign investors") to set up enterprises with foreign
capital in China and protects the lawful rights and interests of such
enterprises.
Article 2
As mentioned in this Law, "enterprises with foreign capital" refers to
those enterprises established in China by foreign investors, exclusively
with their own capital, in accordance with relevant Chinese laws. The term
does not include branches set up in China by foreign enterprises and other
foreign economic organizations.
Article 3
Enterprises with foreign capital shall be established in such a manner as
to help the development of China's national economy; they shall use
advanced technology and equipment or market all or most of their products
outside China. Provisions shall be made by the State Council regarding
the lines of business which the state forbids enterprises with foreign
capital to engage in or on which it places certain restrictions.
Article 4
The investments of a foreign investor in China, the profits it earns and
its other lawful rights and interests are protected by Chinese law.
Enterprises with foreign capital must abide by Chinese laws and
regulations and must not engage in any activities detrimental to China's
public interest.
Article 5
The state shall not nationalize or requisition any enterprise with foreign
capital. Under special circumstances, when public interest requires,
enterprises with foreign capital may be requisitioned by legal procedures
and appropriate compensation shall be made.
Article 6
The application to establish an enterprise with foreign capital shall be
submitted for examination and approval to the department under the State
Council which is in charge of foreign economic relations and trade, or to
another agency authorized by the State Council. The authorities in charge
of examination and approval shall, within 90 days from the date they
receive such application, decide whether or not to grant approval.
Article 7
After an application for the establishment of an enterprise with foreign
capital has been approved, the foreign investor shall, within 30 days from
the date of receiving a certificate of approval, apply to the industry and
commerce administration authorities for registration and obtain a business
licence. The date of issue of the business licence shall be the date of
the establishment of the enterprise.
Article 8
An enterprise with foreign capital which meets the conditions for being
considered a legal person under Chinese law shall acquire the status of a
Chinese legal person, in accordance with the law.
Article 9
An enterprise with foreign capital shall make investments in China within
the period approved by the authorities in charge of examination and
approval. If it fails to do so, the industry and commerce administration
authorities may cancel its business licence. The industry and commerce
administration authorities shall inspect and supervise the investment
situation of an enterprise with foreign capital.
Article 10
In the event of a separation, merger or other major change, an enterprise
with foreign capital shall report to and seek approval from the
authorities in charge of examination and approval, and register the change
with the industry and commerce administration authorities.
Article 11
The production and operating plans of enterprises with foreign capital
shall be reported to the competent authorities for the record.
Enterprises with foreign capital shall conduct their operations and
management in accordance with the approved articles of association, and
shall be free from any interference.
Article 12
When employing Chinese workers and staff, an enterprise with foreign
capital shall conclude contracts with them according to law, in which
matters concerning employment, dismissal, remuneration, welfare benefits,
labour protection and labour insurance shall be clearly prescribed.
Article 13
Workers and staff of enterprises with foreign capital may organize trade
unions in accordance with the law, in order to conduct trade union
activities and protect their lawful rights and interests.
The enterprises shall provide the necessary conditions for the activities
of the trade unions in their respective enterprises.
Article 14
An enterprise with foreign capital must set up account books in China,
conduct independent accounting, submit the fiscal reports and statements
as required and accept supervision by the financial and tax authorities.
If an enterprise with foreign capital refuses to maintain account books in
China, the financial and tax authorities may impose a fine on it, and the
industry and commerce administration authorities may order it to suspend
operations or may revoke its business licence.
Article 15
Within the scope of the operations approved, enterprises with foreign
capital may purchase, either in China or from the world market, raw and
semi-processed materials, fuels and other materials they need. When these
materials are available from both sources on similar terms, first priority
should be given to purchases in China.
Article 16
Enterprises with foreign capital shall apply to insurance companies in
China for such kinds of insurance coverage as are needed.
Article 17
Enterprises with foreign capital shall pay taxes in accordance with
relevant state provisions for tax payment, and may enjoy preferential
treatment for reduction of or exemption from taxes.
An enterprise that reinvests its profits in China after paying the income
tax, may, in accordance with relevant state provisions, apply for refund
of a part of the income tax already paid on the reinvested amount.
Article 18
Enterprises with foreign capital shall handle their foreign exchange
transactions in accordance with the state provisions for foreign exchange
control. Enterprises with foreign capital shall open an account with the
Bank of China or with a bank designated by the state agency exercising
foreign exchange control. Enterprises with foreign capital shall manage
to balance their own foreign exchange receipts and payments. If, with the
approval of the competent authorities, the enterprises market their
products in China and consequently experience an imbalance in foreign
exchange, the said authorities shall help them correct the imbalance.
Article 19
The foreign investor may remit abroad profits that are lawfully earned
from an enterprise with foreign capital, as well as other lawful earnings
and any funds remaining after the enterprise is liquidated.
Wages, salaries and other legitimate income earned by foreign employees in
an enterprise with foreign capital may be remitted abroad after the
payment of individual income tax in accordance with the law.
Article 20
With respect to the period of operations of an enterprise with foreign
capital, the foreign investor shall report to and secure approval from the
authorities in charge of examination and approval. For an extension of the
period of operations, an application shall be submitted to the said
authorities 180 days before the expiration of the period. The authorities
in charge of examination and approval shall, within 30 days from the date
such application is received, decide whether or not to grant the
extension.
Article 21
When terminating its operations, an enterprise with foreign capital shall
promptly issue a public notice and proceed with liquidation in accordance
with legal procedure. Pending the completion of liquidation, a foreign
investor may not dispose of the assets of the enterprise except for the
purpose of liquidation.
Article 22
At the termination of operations, the enterprise with foreign capital
shall nullify its registration with the industry and commerce
administration authorities and hand in its business licence for
cancellation.
Article 23
The department under the State Council which is in charge of foreign
economic relations and trade shall, in accordance with this Law, formulate
rules for its implementation, which shall go into effect after being
submitted to and approved by the State Council.
Article 24
This Law shall go into effect on the day of its promulgation.




Important Notice:
This English document is coming from "LAWS AND REGULATIONS OF THE
PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF CHINA GOVERNING FOREIGN-RELATED MATTERS" (1991.7)
which is compiled by the Brueau of Legislative Affairs of the State
Council of the People's Republic of China, and is published by the China
Legal System Publishing House.
In case of discrepancy, the original version in Chinese shall prevail.