During the consultation, EU social partners shared their views with the European Commission on how social dialogue can be strengthened in the Member States, taking into account recent and current challenges to both tripartite and bipartite social dialogue.

The consultation hearing with social partners took place in preparation of the Social dialogue initiative planned for publication in the autumn of 2022. The meeting was chaired by Stefan Olsson, Director for Working Conditions and Social Dialogue. Social partner organisations at EU cross-industry, EU sectoral and national level attended the exchange. 

Joost Korte, Director-General for Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion, in his introductory remarks highlighted that the planned Council Recommendation provides the opportunity to address the challenges that social dialogue is facing, particularly with regard to the decrease of collective bargaining coverage rates, the evolution of the world of work and the need to ensure a strong involvement of social partners at all levels.

He clarified that Council Recommendation should support the implementation of the relevant principle 8 of the European Pillar of Social Rights and stressed the strong link between social dialogue at EU and national level.

Stefan Olsson, Director for Working Conditions and Social Dialogue, further underlined that social dialogue is a key tool for ensuring swift responses to transformation and crisis management in general.

Background

In November 2017, the EU Institutions proclaimed the European Pillar for Social Rights. In its principle 8 on social dialogue, the Pillar highlights the key role of social dialogue and of social partners. 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.

The European Pillar of Social Rights Action Plan announced an initiative by the Commission on social dialogue for 2022. The initiative will consist of a chapeau Communication to strengthen the social dialogue in the European Union as well as a proposal for a Council Recommendation on the role of social dialogue at national level.

The first consultation hearing with the EU level social partners on the Communication to strengthen the social dialogue in the European Union took place on 28 April 2022.