ETUC handbook to the implementation of the Council Recommendation of 12.06.2023

In June 2023, the Council adopted a Recommendation on strengthening social dialogue in the EU. The Recommendation addresses the need for strengthening and promoting the benefits of social dialogue, better involvement of social partners in policy design, and for capacity building for social partner organisations. 

Member States are now expected to implement this Recommendation, jointly with social partners at national and EU level.

This handbook identifies three main topics of intervention:

• the fight against yellow unions
• enabling structures for social dialogue
• capacity building.

These topics have been identified by ETUC’s national affiliates as aspects where actions are particularly necessary in order to strengthen social dialogue.

For each topic, the handbook gives an overview of current challenges, summarises the key points of the Council Recommendation and provides guidance on the demands that trade unions could develop at national level to strengthen social dialogue. 

This handbook is intended to be a useful tool for ETUC affiliates strengthen their trade union demands for a meaningful implementation of the Council Recommendation. The handbook should be regarded as a living document to be regularly updated with more examples and to be expanded into other topics when demanded by ETUC affiliates. 

Download the Handbook here!