EU SD and Capacity Building 2014-2016

Following the joint seminars organised in 2012 and 2013 which looked at the state of  implementation of autonomous agreements, the European social partners have decided to continue addressing the promotion and reinforcement of the European social dialogue. In this new round of projects they will seek to specifically address the following issues:

  • Launch a reflection on the role of social dialogue in changing economies and societies: this is identified as a particular challenge for the European social partners and their affiliates. The objective will be to take stock of the situation of collective bargaining at national level and try to build a common understanding of the role and contribution of both employers and trade unions organisations in changing times. including how they can adapt to new situations; 
  • Implementation and follow-up of EU social dialogue instruments: this will allow monitoring the situation in countries  where a lack of or insufficient implementation has been observed with a view to making further progress in the  implementation of EU social dialogue instruments, in particular autonomous agreements (Telework (2002), Work  Related Stress (2004), Harassment and Violence at Work (2007), and Inclusive Labour Markets (2010).

 

JOINT EVENTS ON THE PROMOTION OF EU SOCIAL DIALOGUE INSTRUMENTS 

For the above reasons, the European social partners have agreed to organise 4 decentralised cluster seminars on promoting and reinforcing EU social dialogue. Each seminar will gather 40 participants (20 trade union, 20 employers) from 4 different countries. 

In addition to these four cluster seminars, the European social partners have also agreed to organise a cluster seminar specifically targeted at candidate countries with 50 national social partners (25 trade union, 25 employers). 

You will find below all information on the seminars' dates, locations and countries covered: 

 

Seminar 1: Warsaw, Poland

European social partners and national social partners from Poland, Germany, Slovakia and Denmark met in Warsaw on 16-17 December 2014 for a building a seminar on "Promoting and reinforcing Eu Social Dialogue".

Organiser: BUSINESSEUROPE

Dates: 16-17 December 2014

Countries: Denmark, Germany, Poland, Slovakia

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Seminar 2: Athens, Greece

European social partners and national social partners from Belgium, Cyprus, Greece and Sweden met in Athens on 20-21 May 2015 for a capacity building a seminar on "Promoting and reinforcing Eu Social Dialogue".

Organiser: ETUC

Dates: 20-21 May 2015

Countries: Belgium, Cyprus, Greece, Sweden

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Seminar 3: Paris, France

The third in the series of four cluster seminars entitled "Promoting and reinforcing Eu Social Dialogue" took place in Paris on 25-26 June 2015. European social partners and national social partners from France, Ireland, Italy and Lithuania addressed issues facing social dialogue at national and European level.

Organiser: BUSINESSEUROPE

Dates: 25-26 June 2015

Countries: France, Ireland, Italy Lithuania

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Seminar 4: Helsinki, Finland

Helsinki, Finland hosted the fourth and final cluster seminar in the series entitled "Promoting and reinforcing EU Social Dialogue". On 17-18 November 2015, the European social partners joined with national social partners from Estonia, Finland, the Netherlands and Portugal to address issues facing social dialogue at national and European level.

Organiser: ETUC

Dates: 17-18 November 2015

Countries: Estonia, Finland, the Netherlands, Portugal

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Seminar for Candidate Countries: Belgrade, Serbia

The European social partners and national social partners from Macedonia, Montenegro and Serbia in Belgrade on 22-23 January 2015 for a capacity building seminar on Promoting and reinforcing European Social Dialogue.

Organiser: ETUC

Dates: 22-23 January 2015

Countries: FYROM, Montenegro, Serbia

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Seminar on ESF and Capacity building of Social Partner

On the 30th March 2015 the European Social Partners organised a one-day seminar in Riga, during the Latvian Presidency, to present good practice examples of how the ESF can be used for capacity building of social dialogue and the role played by social partners.

Contributions came from the European Commission and the European Social Partners on the the Code of Conduct on Partnership, which was introduced for the first time during this programming period. National level experiences and practives were also highlighted.

This meeting was followed by the Forum of Social Partners, an event organised in the context of the Latvian Presidency of the Council of the EU. Please see the ETUC statement on this event below.

The ETUC welcomes the priority given to social dialogue by the Latvian Presidency of the Council of the EU. At the Forum of Social Partners, held in Riga on 31st March 2015, employers and trade-unions at European and national level reaffirmed their commitment to further develop bi- and tripartite social dialogue at all levels. Building upon the recent event organised by the European Commission on March 5th 2015, "A New Start for Social Dialogue", the event in Riga further highlighted the added value of strong, independent and representative social partners to ensure the creation of quality jobs and the sustainable development which is needed.

"Social dialogue is not optional; it is part and parcel of the EU social model and enshrined in the Treaty. The Commission also has a proactive role to play in its support" said Patrick Itschert, adding that "Reforms are not an aim in themselves; they constitute a tool for a successful exit of the crisis".

More activities towards capacity building of social partners have to be dedicated through opportunities such as the European Social Fund or other European level initiatives.

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