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By Oliver Roethig, Regional Secretary UNI Europa

On 5 March, I took part in a European Commission high level conference that was highlighted as a ‘new start for social dialogue’. Such a relaunch is more than welcome from UNI Europa’s side – social dialogue is after all a constituent principle of the EU treaty and designed to bring the social partners (employers and employees) together to developing Europe’s social agenda following their interests but also with joint decisions.

It is crucial the European Commission recognises the role of agreements signed by the social partners and their right to ask for those agreements to be put into law. It is also crucial for the European Commission to act proactively in ensuring that the social partners are involved in impact assessments from the start of any legislative discussion. It is thirdly crucial that social partners are involved in European Commission policymaking processes in all areas and Directorate-Generals where a social dimension is affected.

The high level conference was a very interesting first step in a good direction. Commission Vice-President Dombrovskis valued the social partners’ role and said they directly shaped employment and social policies across the EU’. He seemed to share UNI Europa’s view that social dialogue at the moment wasn’t living up to its full potential, be it at EU or Member States level. He suggested to look ahead and at ways to improve the social dialogue.

UNI Europa will be happy to help with this process of improving the social dialogue – and following closely how the European Commission will deliver on its promises. It will have a chance to prove their support for an efficient social dialogue by swiftly forwarding a revised social partners agreement for the hairdressing sector to the European Council – the EU should stay active in areas it has been involved in for decades, such as health and safety.

The European Union, and the European Commission in particular, must take their Treaty obligations to promote social dialogue seriously by ensuring that no unregulated areas emerge and that employers groups are ready for a constructive dialogue with trade unions and other civil society groups.

This high level conference must be the starting point for a change of course, for a relaunch of social dialogue and for putting it back into the centre of shaping Europe’s future.