Key dimensions of Industrial Relations – From mapping to capacity building

On 15 May 2019 from 12:30– 14.30 CET, Eurofound will hold a Working Lunch Debate with European Social Partners to discuss findings of the recently published report ‘Measuring varieties of industrial relations’ in the context of the current exploratory Eurofound project on capacity building for an effective and meaningful social dialogue.

The Council Conclusions entitled 'A new start for a strong Social Dialogue', adopted by the Employment, Social Policy, Health and Consumer Affairs Council (EPSCO) on 16 June 2016, stress 'the importance of capacity-building of social partners at national and sectoral level, which could contribute – amongst others things – to improved representativeness of European social partners in negotiating their agreements' and call on the Member States to 'promote the building and strengthening of the capacities of the social partners through different forms of support, including legal and technical expertise. This should be ensured at all relevant levels, depending on the needs of countries and social partners, including to become solid and representative organisations'.

On 27 June 2016, a ‘quadripartite statement on a ‘new start for social dialogue’ was co-signed by the European cross-industry social partners (ETUC, Businesseurope, UEAPME and CEEP), the European Commission and by the Dutch Presidency of the Council of the European Union. The quadripartite statement underlines the fundamental role of European social dialogue as a significant component of EU employment and social policymaking. It identifies actions to be undertaken by the signatories with the aim of further strengthening social dialogue at EU and national level. All parties underline their intention and commitment to continue promoting the capacity of social partners.

• Council of the European Union: A new start for a strong Social Dialogue - Council Conclusions (16 June 2016) (PDF)

• European Commission: The quadripartite statement of a “New Start for Social Dialogue”, 27 June 2019 (PDF)

Objectives

The objective of this Eurofound lunch debate with European level social partners is to exchange and debate on findings of the recently published report ‘Measuring varieties of industrial relations’ in the context of the current exploratory Eurofound project on capacity building for an effective and meaningful social dialogue.

• Publication: Measuring varieties of industrial relations in Europe: A quantitative analysis

The objective of the debate is to put forward ideas for further Eurofound research and activities that might contribute to social partners work on social dialogue and also by identifying areas where mutual learning or support could be helpful.

Agenda

The discussion will be mainly based on Eurofound’s comparative work on industrial relations and how its findings and related tools may be used to enhance capacity building for social dialogue at national level.

Eurofound Deputy Director Erika Mezger and Researchers David Foden and Christian Welz will introduce the debate and present research findings. Mrs Christa Schweng, President of the EESC's SOC section, Member of the Employers' Group and Mr Oliver Röpke, President of the EESC Workers group will comment on Eurofound research and put forward some questions of relevance for capacity building of social partners.

Participation is by invitation only.