1 Conditions and Needs of Social Dialogue in Tourism in New EU Member States and Candidate Countries Wolfgang Weinz, ILO Social Dialogue in New Member States of the EU Brussels October 29, 2007

2 What is Social Dialogue? All types of negotiation, consultation or simply exchange of information between, or among, representatives of governments, employers and workers, on issues of common interest relating to economic and social policy. Can exist as a tripartite process, with the government as an official party to the dialogue or it may consist of bipartite relations only between labour and management (trade unions and employers' organizations).

3 What is Social Dialogue?(cont.) Can be informal or institutionalised, and often it is a combination of the two. It can take place at the national, regional or at enterprise level. It can be inter- professional, sectoral or a combination of these. The main goal is to promote consensus building and democratic involvement among the main stakeholders in the world of work. Successful social dialogue structures and processes have the potential to resolve important economic and social issues, encourage good governance, advance social and industrial peace and stability and boost economic progress. Social Dialogue as a fundamental tool in finding solutions & to assist social partners in managing change.

4 Conditions for Social Dialogue In order for social dialogue to take place, the following must exist: Strong, independent workers' and employers' organizations with the technical capacity and the access to relevant information to participate in social dialogue; Political will and commitment to engage in social dialogue on the part of all the parties; Respect for the fundamental rights of freedom of association and collective bargaining; and Appropriate institutional support.

5 Tourism as major driver of development and employment(1) The Travel and Tourism industry is one of the largest and most dynamic industries in today’s global economy. Tourism is a labour-intensive interface between workers and customers and a quality driven service profession. It is expected by the end of 2007 that Travel and Tourism will account for 10.3 % of global GDP. One job in the core tourism industry creates roughly one and a half additional (indirect) jobs in the tourism related economy.

6 Tourism as major driver of development and employment(2) The Travel and Tourism economy creates (directly and indirectly) more than 230 million jobs, which represent some 8% of the global workforce. Women make up between 60 and 70% of the labour force and half of the workers are age 25 or under. The industry is growing worldwide by over 4% per year. The ILO`s mission is to support the decent work employment, development prospects, gender and social dialogue opportunities of this sector.

7 Importance of Tourism in the new member states Tourism industry accounts in the respective country for between 2% and 11.8% of GDP growth in 2007 (T&T economy between 6,1% and 23,7%). Tourism economy will generate between 5,2% and 28,8% of total employment in Tourism industry and economy is therefore an important factor for the countries economic and social development. (source:

8 Conclusions and points for discussion Trade Unions should stress the importance of the sector and demand improving and/or establishing Social Dialogue in their countries. This should lead to a national tourism committee (or similar) which is developing an national plan/action program on the future of the sector The issues to be discussed on a tri-and/or bipartite level should cover: - social standards and social protection, - employment and social security, - vocational training, qualification and certification, - studies/research on the future of tourism and recommandations for development……

9 Social Dialogue - Investment in Sustainable Tourism Institutionalising labour-management relations at national, regional and local/company level in the tourism industry (ILO toolkit in 2008) Promotion of best practices of social dialogue in the tourism industry Promotion of ILO Convention 172 on Working Conditions in Hotels and Restaurants (Recommendation 179, 1991) Training and development of workers skills Social dialogue as an important tool to meet the challenges and the prospects of tourism industry

10 For more information please visit the ILO sector website: sectors/tourism.htm Thank you for your attention