In October 1980 the European Commission approved a draft directive which would require multinationals and native Community firms with subsidiaries to apply procedures for informing and consulting with their employees on business strategy. Popularly known as the 'Vredeling proposal' after the then Commissioner responsible for Labour and Social Affairs, the draft directive was strongly supported by the European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC) but heavily criticised by the Employer Confederation of Industries of the EC (UNICE). Both the Economic and Social Committee and the European Parliament added their criticisms and sought to amend the original proposal.