Strengthening social dialogue in the European Union: harnessing its full potential for managing fair transitions

Summary:

Communication adopted by the European Commission on 25 January 2023, setting out its approach to reinforcing and promoting social dialogue at an EU-level.

Further information:

Social dialogue is placed at the core of the European Union's social model, seeking to improve living and working conditions. It is regarded as one of the key principles of the European Pillar of Social Rights (EPSR). Simultaneously, strong social partners are deemed essential for effective and balanced change management. This change is triggered by matters such as climate change, digitalisation and demographic trends, and it was accelerated by the COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic. Social partners' involvement improves policy-making due to their knowledge and experience of the employment and social situation on the ground.

In March 2021, the European Commission announced in the EPSR Action Plan an initiative seeking to support national and EU social dialogue following consultations with the social partners. This Communication sets out a number of measures aimed at further strengthening social dialogue in the European Union. It was adopted by the Commission on 25 January 2023, and it was accompanied by the a draft Council Recommendation on this matters.

Official

European Commission: Press Release, 25/01/2023: Commission sets out concrete actions for greater involvement of social partners at national and EU level https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/ip_23_290

European Commission: Question and answers: Strengthening social dialogue (25 January 2023) https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/qanda_23_289

European Commission: Opening remarks by Commissioner Schmit at the press conference on strengthening social dialogue (25 January 2023) https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/statement_23_368

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