1 Forms of social dialogue and its evolution in recent years: achievements and challenges Youcef Ghellab Head, Social Dialogue and Tripartism Unit Madrid, 3 rd March, 2016

This presentation will cover:  Different types and mechanisms of social dialogue  The importance of ESC-SIs and their role in Society  Challenges facing ESC-SIs today  The ILOs experience

What is social dialogue for the ILO?  ILO working definition of social dialogue: “All types of negotiation, consultation or exchange of information between governments, employers and workers (social partners) on issues of common interest” economic and social policy terms / conditions of employment relationship between social partners 3

Social dialogue in it’s different forms  Different types and levels bipartite (between labour and management) with or without indirect government involvement tripartite (with the government as an official party to the dialogue) tripartite ‘plus’ (open to other civil society groups) National, sectoral or enterprise level Emerging form: i) cross-border (global) level (between multinational enterprises and global unions: IFAs; ii) within regional groupings; iii)Trade Agreements 4 There is no universal model of social dialogue but certain pre- conditions must be in place

Effective social dialogue depends on…  Freedom of association and collective bargaining (right to freely join organizations, protection against anti-union discrimination, etc.)  Strong, independent workers’ and employers’ organizations (appropriate technical capacities)  Appropriate institutional support (legislation, administration, dispute prevention and settlement mechanisms, etc.)  Political will and commitment to engage in social dialogue = enabling environment for effective social dialogue 5

Mechanisms for social dialogue  Social dialogue an take place on an ad hoc or formally institutionalised basis (or combination of both)  Vary from country to country /depend on national context and traditions of industrial relations: 6 Economic and Social Councils Tripartite Labour Advisory Councils National Tripartite SD Commissions Ad-hoc committees High level advisory bodies Represent wide range of constituencies Independent from Government Deal with wide developmental and societal issues Attached to Ministry of Labor Deal mainly with labour issues Attached to the Prime Ministers Office or other Government agencies Deal with issues beyond the labour market Specialized committees created for a specific purpose: MW, pensions, safety and health etc.

Role of Economic & Social Councils & Similar Institutions (ESC-SIs)  Forums for the democratic involvement of social partners and other civil society groups  Gives voice to wide spectrum of societal groups  Ensure coordination, inclusion and solidarity in policy decisions  Enables civil society to inform and contribute to public policy: Make proposals/discuss opinions (e.g. on income distribution, demographics, environment, informal economy, labour legislation etc.) 7

Importance of ESC-SIs in Society  ESC-SIs have the potential to resolve important economic and social issues by: encouraging good governance advancing social and industrial peace and stability Boosting economic progress  Instruments of consensus building and social pacting 8

Roles played by ESC-SIs throughout history 9 World War IIWestern European economies to contribute to reconstruction of economies 1970s–1980s industrialized economies Combating recession in industrialized countries 1997–98 Asia Address the financial crisis in Asia 1970s and 1980s Latin America Helping Latin American countries to address the economic crisis Early 1990s Central and Eastern Europe Ease the transition from a centrally-planned to a market economy 2008 global economic and financial crisis Mitigate the impact of the crisis and accelerating economic recovery Source: Rychly, L Social dialogue in times of crisis: Finding better solutions (Geneva, ILO)

Challenges facing social dialogue institutions and especially ESCs  New forms of work emerging  Changing composition of the labour market  Technological advances & digitalization  Migration, youth unemployment, informal economy  Instability caused by the recurrent crises  Increasing imbalances and inequalities  Rise of new actors 10 Testing the credibility of public policy and institutions including ESC-SIs

These are issues that ESC-SIs need to address…  AICESIS-ILO Survey’s (2013, 2014, 2015) show that ESC-SIs need to integrate i) SPFs ii) GSCs and WPC iii) responses to the crisis, into their agendas ESC-SIs need to i) contribute to finding answers to these aforementioned challenges; ii) encourage the construction of new social contracts in society 11

ILO member States with a framework for social dialogue in place 12

Role of the ILO  The ILO aims to establish and strengthen the legal frameworks and institutions in its member States.  The ILO supports widening the scope of knowledge on global industrial relations, particularly among actors and institutions involved in cross-border social dialogue and international cooperation.  The ILO aims to strengthen capacities of individual actors; such as workers, employers and governments.  To date 139 countries have ratified C144 - Tripartite Consultation (International Labour Standards) Convention, 1976 (No. 144) 13

Question for debate Are ESC-SIs well-equipped, well-designed and resourced to take up the challenges of leading society to find credible answers to these aforementioned challenges? 14