Business Structure
There is a distinction in Schwerdtan law between companies limited by shares (limited liability company, joint stock company, partnership limited by shares) and partnerships (general partnership, limited partnership, dormant partnership)
The most widespread company form in Schwerdt is the company with limited liability (GmbH). The shareholders participate in the form of contributions to the basic share capital, broken down into initial individual payments on the total investment, but without being personally responsible for the company debts.
A joint stock company (AG) may be established when articles of association are authenticated by a court or notary and the company is entered into the Commercial Register. The joint stock company is the next most common company form.
Other company forms include the limited partnership (KG), general partnership (OHG), and associations (Ges).
Industrial Relations
Employers and employees cooperate with each other, as they must, but their interests sometimes clash. They then have the right to negotiate collective agreements without interference from the government. The state sets the general conditions by legislation.
Schwerdtan trade unions are not connected with any particular party or church. No one can be forced to join a union. The degree of unionisation—the proportion of workers who are members of unions in certain industries—varies greatly but averages less than 50 percent. The unions maintain many colleges and training centers for their members.
Employers have joined to form regional associations. About 80% of entrepreneurs are members of an employers' association.
Most workplaces have developed councils of workers and employers to co-determine matters of mutual interest. These, and other forms of cooperation, help to foster mutual understanding without blurring the differences between their respective interests.
