Social dialogue pact until 2025
EU and social partners commit to strengthening social dialogue.
HS – 02/2024
On 31 January 2024, the European Commission, the
Belgian Council Presidency and the European social partners signed a "Tripartite
Declaration for a Thriving European Social Dialogue". The declaration constitutes a renewed commitment to strengthening
social dialogue at European Union (EU) level and to jointly tackling the
challenges facing EU economies and labour markets. The aim is to create
flourishing companies, high-quality jobs and services as well as improved
working conditions.
As part of the declaration, the European
Commission, the Council and the European social partners commit to a series of
measures.
Tackling labour and skills shortages
Addressing labour and skills shortages is crucial
for sustainable growth and the EU's competitiveness. Against this backdrop, the
signatories to the declaration pledge to do their part to bring more people
into the labour market, improve working conditions, facilitate the recognition
of qualifications and better integrate workers from abroad. In addition, the
European Commission, in cooperation with the social partners, intends to
present an Action Plan to address labour and skills shortages by spring 2024.
Focusing on the European social dialogue
The social dialogue is a process that is
precisely regulated in Articles 151 to 156 of the Treaty on the Functioning of
the European Union (TFEU) with regard to participants, powers and procedures. Its role
as an essential component of the European social model and European democracy
differs from other forms of consultation, such as dialogue with civil society,
the functioning of which is not enshrined in the Treaties. The European
Commission, the Council and the European social partners therefore reaffirm their
commitment to promoting the role of the social partners and social dialogue.
Establishing a European Social Dialogue Envoy
In order to promote and strengthen the role of
social dialogue at European and national level, a European Social Dialogue Envoy
will be appointed. The impartial representative is to monitor the
implementation of the European
Commission's Communication on strengthening social dialogue in the EU and be the contact point in the European Commission for the
social partners.
Launching a Pact for European Social Dialogue
According to the declaration, a series of
meetings will be held with the European social partners to identify ways to
further strengthen the European social dialogue. These should include
institutional and financial support for European social dialogue at all levels,
as well as capacity building for the social partners, including in the EU
candidate countries. This should result in a "Pact for European Social
Dialogue" by early 2025.