European social partners have called upon EU commissioners to ensure that social dialogue committees have the necessary financial and political support needed.
In a joint letter to Executive Vice-President Valdis Dombrovskis and Commissioner Nicolas Schmit, IRU has joined forces with social partners representing 17 sectors to voice their concerns over the EU Commission’s proposal of multiyear, “project-based” financing for social dialogue committees.
The Commission is considering to reorganise the sectoral social dialogue system at the EU level and propose a new supporting framework for social partner agreements. The Commission issued a dedicated commission communication on the subject on 25 January 2023.
IRU EU Advocacy Director Raluca Marian said, “It is good to see that the Commission’s communication recognises the crucial role of the EU social dialogue in shaping and delivering fair transitions and crisis management.
“Unfortunately, it does not propose concrete solutions as regards to the future organisation and financing of Sectoral Social Dialogue Committees.”
“It is crucial that the Commission maintains its logistical and financial support for sectoral social dialogue committees in full respect of the social partners’ autonomy to avoid a severe devaluation of European sectoral social dialogue,” she added.
With a legal basis in the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, the European sectoral social dialogue committees are recognised as one of the central tools for social cohesion and resilience. They play a crucial role in shaping EU social policy.
Within this framework, IRU is formally recognised as the voice of employer organisations in the social dialogue committee dedicated to road transport. The sector has over 900,000 passenger and goods transport operators.