Background information

On 12 June 2023 the Council of the EU adopted a Recommendation on strengthening social dialogue in the EU. This was done at the request of the European Commission, prepared after a comprehensive consultation of the European social partners. While it focuses primarily on strengthening the right to collective bargaining, it places it in the context of the implementation of the twin transition.

Content of measure

The Council Recommendation refers primarily to national social dialogue. It stresses that collective bargaining is one of the key tools to help workers and employers adapt to a changing world of work. The social partners have a key role to play in helping to anticipate, change, and address, through dialogue, negotiation, and, where appropriate, joint action, the employment and social consequences of the economic restructuring and ongoing twin transition. The Council recommends that Member States support the social partners in adapting their activities to the digital age, and in finding new activities fit to the future of work, the green and demographic transitions and new labour market conditions.

Use of measure

No available information.

Target groups

Workers	Businesses	Citizens
Applies to all workers	Applies to all businesses	Does not apply to citizens

Actors and funding

Actors	Funding
National government Social partners jointly Trade unions Employers' organisations Company / Companies	No special funding required

Social partners

Social partners' role in designing the measure and form of involvement:

	Trade unions	Employers' organisations
Role	Consulted	Consulted
Form	Direct consultation outside a formal body	Direct consultation outside a formal body

Social partners' role in the implementation, monitoring and assessment phase:

• Social partners jointly
• Main level of involvement: EU level

Involvement

When preparing the draft recommendation, the European Commission has conducted direct consultations on its content with representative European social partners (cross-industry and sectoral). During the work on the final text (negotiations in the council), the involvement/consultation of social partners was not ensured.

Views and reactions

European social partners assessed the very idea of the Recommendation positively. However the lack of consultation on the final text met with a critical approach (especially from trade unions).

Sources

• 23 March 2023: SMEunited position on the proposal for a Council Recommendation on strengthening social dialogue in the European Union About us Policies Publications News Projects Events Members Search searchImage Press Join us Contact SMEunited position on the proposal for a Council Recommendation on strengthening social dialogue in the European Union About us Policies Publications News Projects Events Members Search searchImage Press Join us Contact SMEunited position on the proposal for a Council Recommendation on strengthening social dialogue in the European Union (www.smeunited.eu)
• 12 June 2023: Social dialogue can only be strengthened if trade unions are respected (www.etuc.org)
• 13 June 2023: COUNCIL RECOMMENDATION on strengthening social dialogue in the European Union (data.consilium.europa.eu)