The industrial relations in the Commerce sector SSD for commerce : expected results & future developments Ilaria Savoini Brussels, 8 November 2012

SSDC in commerce: short reminder Existing informally since the 80s Formalised in 1998 (EC Decision establishing SSD Committees) EuroCommerce and UNI Europa Commerce work on the basis of a two- year work programme Priorities : –Adaptation to change, VET and skill needs –EU Employment strategy and the commerce sector –Joint follow-up of EU policies with a social impact on commerce –Health, safety and well-being at work –Improving the effectiveness of social dialogue 2

Recent and current activities of the SP (1) In the framework of the follow-up of EU policies, the SP have achieved a common position on the social aspects of the European Retail Action Plan (consensual aspects) A first report regarding the follow-up of the multisectoral guidelines againnst TPV for the commerce sector has been drafted Ongoing project on the establishment of a EU skills council in the commerce sector (see details) 3

Recent and current activities of the SP (2) Last issues discussed during our meetings: –Outcome of the Eurofound study on working conditions in commerce+ joint press release: see s/tn s.htm s/tn s.htm –Project activities –The use of EU funding for the implementation of projects (on social dialogue mainly) –Education and training –Improvement of the cooperation with SP of NMS + candidate countries 4

Example: the project on skills council for commerce (1) 2 projects: –Phase 1 (2010, leader EuroCommerce): mapping exercise –Phase 2 (2012) presented by Uni Europa Commerce –Common interest issue: address the skills mismatch in the sector –Implemented with the financial support of the European Commission –Project will end in December, a new project has been introduced for the 1st year of activities 5

Skills councils for commerce: 2 Achieved results: –Skills councils interviewed in a certain number of countries (BE, DE, DK, FR, CY, NL, IRL) –Most of them expressed the willingness to become part of the EU skills councils –Experts are currently preparing a report on quantitative and qualitative data –Some new observatories identified (e,g, for wholesale in France) –The conference to launch the skills councils will take place the 5 December in Brussels –Wen platform for the dissemination of information 6

Future activities of the SP for commerce Projects: –Currently awaiting news from the Commission for 2 new projects: One on capacity building activities for EuroCommerce and UNI Europa Members in new member States and Candidate countries, with common and separate activities fir employers and trade unions The «phase 3» project on the 1st functioning of the skills councilc for the commerce sector: also aimed to encourage new bodies to be part of it –Joint partnership in the project on active ageing 7

Issues to be further discussed in the SD Education and training, skills, see new Communication to be issued Active ageing, demographic change (included pensions) Exchange of views on a study on part-time/fixed term employment European Retail Action Plan: continue the discussions on consensual issues, awaiting Communication See further developments on musculo-skeletal disorders (joint project?) Employment strategy (Commission’s agenda) Other EU initiatives with an impact on the sector 8

As a conclusion… Social dialogue in commerce is well-established and well functioning The cooperation on the issues addressed in the work programme is good Also important to take into account the trust between the social partners SD is also useful to promote the sector vis-à-vis the EU institutions Sometimes different perception of issues to be dealt with at EU or national level Different relations with the cross-industry level 9

Need more information? Thank you for your attention! 10