The consultation hearing offered an opportunity for EU level social partners to engage with the European Commission on the forthcoming initiative to promote social dialogue, and to discuss the proposals in view of the chapeau Communication on social dialogue.

On 28 April a consultation hearing with social partners took place in preparation of the Communication on social dialogue planned for publication in the autumn of 2022. The meeting was chaired by Stefan Olsson, Director for Working Conditions and Social Dialogue, and attended by EU level social partner organisations at cross-industry and sectorial level.

The social partners exchanged with the European Commission on how EU level social dialogue can be best organised to address the twin transitions and emerging trends in the world of work.

Joost Korte, Director-General for Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion, highlighted that the proposed communication provides the opportunity to take stock and look at ways of further reinforcing European social dialogue and better exploiting its potential.

It is a joint endeavour with proposals stemming from the various exchanges that took place with the social partners. Furthermore, he underlined that effective social dialogue at national level is key for the functioning of EU-level social dialogue.

Background

The EU social dialogue is enshrined in Articles 152-155 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU).

The EU shall promote social dialogue, while fully respecting the autonomy of the social partners and the diversity of national industrial relations systems.

In November 2017, the EU Institutions proclaimed the European Pillar for Social Rights. In its principle 8 on social dialogue - which states that social partners shall be consulted on the design and implementation of economic, employment and social policies - the Pillar highlights the key role of social dialogue and of social partners.

In its European Pillar of Social Rights Action Plan the Commission announced that it will “following consultation with social partners in 2021, present an initiative to support social dialogue at EU and national level in 2022”.

In its Communication on the Commission Work Programme 2022, the Commission clarified that it will “put forward a Communication to strengthen the social dialogue at EU and national level to support the key role of social partners in fostering a fair economic, social and cohesive recovery and the green, digital and labour market transitions”.

Another dedicated hearing on the planned proposal for a Council Recommendation on social dialogue is scheduled for 31 May.