Since 1998, sectoral dialogue committees have been promoting the dialogue between the social partners in the sectors at European level. The
Commission decision of 20 May 1998 – 98/500/EC, sets the rules concerning the establishment, representativeness and work procedures of new sectoral committees, intended as central bodies for consultation, joint initiatives and negotiation.
To date, 35 sectoral social dialogue committees exist at EU level. They are coordinated on the trade union side by the European Industry Federations. They are an important tool for tackling industry-specific questions at a European level. Almost 300 joint texts have been adopted, including joint opinions and agreements, guidelines and codes of conduct.
For updated information on activities and texts adopted at EU sectoral social dialogue level, please visit the
EC Database.
You will find below an overview of recent initiatives developed by some of the European Industry Federations in the framework of Social Dialogue.
European Mine, Chemical and Energy Workers’ Federation (EMCEF)
- Social dialogue web page,
with direct access to social dialogue committee' developments in the
following sectors: chemical, electricity, extractive Iindustry, and gas.
European Metalworkers’ Federation (EMF-FEM)
- EMF social dialogue portal , with direct access to sectors' webpages:
European Federation of Public Service Unions (EPSU)
- The electricity social dialogue committee agreed two projects on restructuring and on demographic change.
- 14 February 2008, meeting of the social dialogue working group on "New skill needs in the hospital sector", in Brussels.
- February 2008, social partners discussed 3rd package of liberalisation of the internal market for electricity and gas.
- On 13 December 2007, social partners for government administrations reached a EU agreement to test formal European social dialogue.
European Trade Union Committee for Education (ETUCE-CSEE)
- Project of the European social dialogue in the education sector.
European Trade Union Federation - Textiles Clothing and Leather (ETUF-TLC/ FSE-THC)
- Portal for the capacity-building of social TCL partners (EURATEX, COTANCE and ETUF:TCL).
Union Network International (UNI-Europa)
- Portal with direct access to sectors' webpages:
- 14 March 2008, Multi-Sectoral Social Dialogue meeting on “Third Party Violence at Work”, Brussels. Sectors involved are: the local and regional government sector, commerce the hospital and private security.
