European sectoral social dialogue : recent developments / European Commission

European Social Dialogue is one of the key elements of the European Social Model. European Sectoral Dialogue is the essential means by which the sectoral social partners contribute to the definition of European social standards. It is dynamic and keeps attracting new sectors: today 40 sectoral social dialogue committees work to the benefit of some 145 million workers, i.e. more than three quarters of the EU's workforce, and more than 6 million undertakings. This review presents recent developments in the work of the European sectoral social dialogue committees, highlighting their advances in areas such as skills, training and lifelong learning; working conditions; health and safety at the workplace; anticipation of change and restructuring; equal opportunities; corporate social responsibility and sustainable development. It contains detailed notes for each sector, describing its employment and industry characteristics; key challenges; and representative social partners; as well as the work programme and main outcomes of the respective sectoral social dialogue committee. Together with the numerous annexes and summary statistics it should provide an authoritative source for anyone interested in Social Europe in general and European Social Dialogue in particular.