Nummer: 176

Strengthening social dialogue

There is a need to improve the involvement of social partners in relevant EU-proposals.

The role of the European Social Partners is already enshrined in the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union in Chapter 10 on Social Policy and Labour Market Policies.

The special right of consultation of the social partners, as stated in Art. 154, must be respected by the Commission, the Council and the Parliament.

But there is a need to strengthen the Social Dialogue on European level in order to ensure a better functioning of relevant regulation, to consult social partners more intensely and earlier in legislative procedures and to leave more time and room for social partner solutions on emerging questions.

It is furthermore important to keep the potential of national and local social dialogue in mind when promoting social dialogue. There are vast differences in culture and traditions between national labour markets.

The European Social Partners need to be given the necessary room for manoeuvre. As representatives of workers, companies and employers, the social partners know the labour market conditions inside out. In addition, agreements by the social partners ensure the commitment of employees and employers and contribute to broadly supported policies in Europe. Models that work in practice lead to respect for national models and ensures legitimacy and acceptance of EU policies at the Member State level. Therefore, social partners should be involved much closer in the European legislation. Here the European institutions play an essential role and the awareness of the benefits of social dialogue must be expanded within the European institutions.

Dato:
13. september 2023
Type af anbefaling:
Tidlig interessevaretagelse i EU
Tema:
Tidlig interessevaretagelse
Ansvarlig ministerium:
Beskæftigelsesministeriet
Status på anbefaling:
Følges

The affected EU-Regulation 

All relevant EU-proposals that will be put forward during the upcoming Commissions term.
 

The affected Danish regulation 

All relevant Danish legislation that will implement EU-legislation adopted during the upcoming Commissions term.
 

Affected businesses 

All Danish and European companies subject to EU legislation. According to Statistics Denmark there are around 300,000 Danish companies[1].

Reasoning behind the recommendation 

The involvement of strong social partners is key to ensuring regulation that will make a difference once implemented. 

Social partners represent workers and employers and therefore they have a unique insight into the functioning of the labour market.
 

Expected consequences for industry and commerce 

Social dialogue, including information and consultation, is key in ensuring that new challenges and opportunities are handled successfully in companies.
 

Economic consequences 

A well-functioning social dialogue at European level will underpin a well- functioning society to the benefit of people and companies.
 

Current Danish efforts  

The Danish Social partners are already involved in European social dialogue through the European social partners. 

 

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[1] Statistics Denmark: https://www.dst.dk/en/Statistik/emner/erhvervsliv/erhvervslivets-struktur/firmaer-og-koncerner# 

Strengthen the involvement of European Social Partners in the relevant legislative procedures.

Regeringen tiltræder EU-og Regelforums anbefaling og vil støtte op om at styrke inddragelse af Europæiske arbejdsmarkedets parter i relevant EU-regulering og lovgivning og styrke den sociale dialog. Det er for den danske regering en prioritet at støtte og styrke den sociale dialog i EU, som leder til bedre EU-lovgivning til gavn for både arbejdstagere og arbejdsgivere.