Current Trends of the European Social Dialogue Ellen Durst, European Commission Caparica, 20 November 2008

Managing Change  Renewed Social Agenda COM(2008) 412 final,  Work Programme of the European Social Partners  Lisbon Treaty, Future of the Lisbon Strategy

Renewed Social Agenda Seven priority areas:  Children and youth – tomorrow's Europe  Investing in people: more and better jobs, new skills  Mobility  Longer and healthier lives  Combating poverty and social exclusion  Fighting discrimination and promoting gender equality  Opportunities, access and solidarity on the global scene

Policy Tools  EU legislation  Social dialogue (encouraging representatives of workers and employers to make full use of the possibilities offered by the European Social Dialogue)  Cooperation between member States  EU funding  Partnership, dialogue and communication  Ensuring that all EU policies promote opportunities, access and solidarity

Work Programme of the European Social Partners New initiatives :  Contribution to the definition of the future of the Lisbon Strategy in the post-2010 period (link to the financial and economic crisis)  Social and employment aspects and consequences of climate change policies  Monitoring of the implementation of the common principles of flexicurity  Addressing mobility and economic migration issues and promoting the integration of migrant workers (labour market, workplace)

Treaty of Lisbon  Signed by the Heads of State or Government of the 27 Member States in Lisbon on (  New Article 152: “The Union recognises and promotes the role of the social partners at its level, taking into account the diversity of national systems. It shall facilitate dialogue between the social partners, respecting their autonomy. The Tripartite Social Summit for Growth and Employment shall contribute to social dialogue.”

The Charter of Fundamental Rights New: Legally binding in the European Union  Article 12: Freedom of assembly and of association  Article 27: Workers' right to information and consultation within the undertaking  Article 28: Right of collective bargaining and action

Lisbon Stragegy for Growth and Jobs  The EU’s target of becoming the most competitive knowledge-based economy in the world by 2010  Reflecting on the future of the Lisbon Strategy in the post-2010 period

Current Trends of the European Social Dialogue  Make full use of the possibilities offered by the European Social Dialogue  The European Social Partners will address new challenges (financial and economic crisis, climate change policies)  Stronger role of social dialogue in the Lisbon Treaty, Social partners are reflecting on the future of the Lisbon Strategy