BASTUN Swedish Presidency Work Plan for 1 January June 2018

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BASTUN Swedish Presidency 2017 2018 Work Plan for 1 January 2017 30 June 2018 1 BASTUN Swedish Presidency The BASTUN is a trade union forum for information exchange, discussion and definition of

1 BASTUN Swedish Presidency Work Plan for 1 January June BASTUN Swedish Presidency The BASTUN is a trade union forum for information exchange, discussion and definition of common interests in the Baltic Sea region. In addition to international trade union cooperation, BASTUN has a representative role in various international bodies and working groups, which include a wide range of political dimensions. BASTUN follows and disseminates information on international projects. The Presidency and the Secretariat form a preparation and executive body. The BASTUN spring and autumn meetings function as forums for discussion and collective decision making. The Presidency in cooperation with the Secretariat represents the network when needed, acts as a chairman at the BASTUN meetings and implements the Presidency Work Plan. The Swedish Trade Union Confederations LO, TCO and Saco hold the BASTUN presidency from the beginning of January 2017 until the end of June During the Swedish presidency the chairmanship of BASTUN will be divided so that each organization will be responsible for the presidency for 6 months starting with Karl-Petter Thorwaldsson, president of LO, continuing with Eva Nordmark, president of TCO and concluding with Göran Arrius, President of Saco. The meetings and the presidency will be planned in close cooperation between the organisations. The Work Plan for the Swedish presidency will be introduced at the Autumn meeting 2016 in Warsaw, Poland. The BASTUN Spring Meeting 2017 will be organised by LO The BASTUN Autumn meeting 2017 will be organised by TCO The BASTUN Spring Meeting 2018 will be organised by Saco BASTUN will provide interpretation (English-Russian) for the official meetings when needed. 1

2 2 Priorities of the Swedish Presidency BASTUN s priorities reflect the political and social situation of the Baltic Sea region. The network follows political discussion and aims to keep relevant issues for trade union movement on the agenda. The presidency sets its political priorities for the presidency period. The focus of the BASTUN meetings during the Swedish presidency will be derived from the Trade Union Vision 2020, focusing on; Strengthening trade union density and organising in the Baltic Sea region Strengthening Social dialogue and working for more balanced representation between Trade Union and business interests Mobility of labour under fair conditions and prevention of social dumping The Swedish Presidency of BASTUN will have three priority areas of which the first will be Global Deal, a political initiative to form a global partnership initiative with like-minded countries, companies and organisations on A Global Deal for Decent Work and Inclusive Growth, initiated by the Swedish Government. The initiative highlights the importance of Social Dialogue in achieving greater equality and inclusive economic development, benefitting workers, companies and societies. The second priority will be to discuss the ongoing work with the European pillar of social rights and discussing how BASTUN can co-operate and exchange views in relation to the development of a pillar for common social rights in Europe that take into account the developments and changes in society and working life. The development of relevant and inclusive social rights that work in a cross-border perspective are highly relevant for the Baltic Sea region with its substantial mobility. BASTUN will discuss how we can work together regionally to ensure social rights and an added value for wage-earners in the region. The third priority of the Swedish Presidency will be to initiate discussion on the polarisation in societies and its conseqences on democracy in Europe. The economic and social developments in Europe have led to a polarisation and segmentations in our societies which undermines trust in political decision making and the EU. Increasing poverty and inequality and their effects on the on the social situation are a breeding ground for populism and are crucial questions where we as Trade Unions and social partners need to discuss common strategies to prevent increase social unrest. The Swedish presidency will also focus on developing BASTUNs working methods in accordance with the evaluation that was done in This will be done by developing more dynamic working forms with the goal of creating more active methods for involvement and sharing experiences. 3 Cooperation within the trade union movement 2

3 BASTUN cooperates and organises different actions with all trade union organisations that have interests in the Baltic Sea region. Through the cooperation, the network helps its member organisations to get their voice heard in international discussions within the trade union movement. The most important cooperation partners are: European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC), Pan- European Regional Council (PERC), the Council of Nordic Trade Unions (NFS) and some of the Nordic sector trade union confederations, namely Nordic IN, Confederation of the Nordic Bank, Finance and Insurance Unions (NFU), Nordic Transport Workers Confederation (NTF), Nordic Federation of Building and Woodworkers (NBTF), Nordic Hotel, Restaurant, Catering and Tourist Confederation (NU HRCT). BASTUN also cooperates with Friedrich Ebert Stiftung (FES) and also with other foundations when needed. The Belarusian Congress of Democratic Trade Union (BKDP) represents the Belarusian free trade unions. The BKDP is a strategic partner of BASTUN since BASTUN works for coordinating international support given to the Belarusian free trade union movement. The support includes financial and political dimension. During the Polish Presidency: BASTUN will participate in trade union discussions in terms of Baltic Sea affairs. BASTUN will influence political processes in terms of Baltic Sea issues in cooperation with ETUC, NFS and PERC and Nordic sector trade union confederations. BASTUN meetings and activities will be open to different trade union actors. The aim is to maximize the coordination and information exchange between different trade union actors. BASTUN will follow the discussions on strategic planning of international support to the Belarusian free trade unions BASTUN continues the work of keeping the Belarusian free trade unions on the political agenda in national and international context. 4 Trade union influence One of the BASTUN s main tasks is political and social influencing. The basic principle is that the network acts in all forums that are relevant in terms of the political processes concerning joint interests. Besides political influencing BASTUN follows, coordinates and takes part in projects that have a social or political impact on the region. 4.1 International interest representation and contacts to other actors There are various international actors that coordinate and define actions and goals within the Baltic Sea region. These international organisations and bodies are channels for BASTUN to follow and influence political processes. In addition to the ones listed beneath, BASTUN keeps it eyes open and is mapping possible alliances with other organisations and stakeholders. 3

4 4.1.1 Council of Baltic Sea States (CBSS) From BASTUN point of view there are three main roles of cooperation with CBSS in : 1) As a partner and as a secretariat for the Forum for Social Dialogue for the Baltic Sea Region (BSLF). 2) As an observer in the BSLF related Baltic Leadership Program on Labour Mobility and other possible relevant projects. 3) As a provider of expertise and training in terms of trafficking and forced labour exploitation. BASTUN will continue to follow the work of the Baltic Sea Labour Forum as an observer and promote trade union interests. BASTUN will participate in the relevant meetings of the CBSS and represent trade unions of the Baltic Sea region. BASTUN secretariat will maintain close contact with the CBSS secretariat Baltic Sea Parliamentary Conference (BSPC) BASTUN is active in parliamentary cooperation in the Baltic Sea region when the BSPC has labour market, counter-trafficking/forced labour exploitation and social issues on its agenda. BASTUN will assist the BSPC and CBSS in continuing to develop a tripartite forum for social dialogue in the Baltic Sea region. BASTUN will possibly participate in the 26th Baltic Sea Parliamentary Conference in Hamburg, Germany on 3-5 September BASTUN secretariat maintains contacts to key persons in BSPC s political framework (BSPC s chair and secretariat) Barents Euro-Arctic Council (BEAC) Russia has the presidency until the end of 2017, after which Sweden will chair the council until the end of BASTUN representation in the BEAC is flexible. The secretariat and other interested member organizations may participate when needed Nordic Council of Ministers (NCM) and Nordic Council (NC) 4

5 The NCM and NC work with Baltic Sea issues and are important actors in the Baltic Sea region. BASTUN has not direct representation in the NCM or the NC. Trade unions are represented by the Council of Nordic Trade Unions. During the Swedish presidency BASTUN will follow the NCM and the NC through the NFS. Relevant information will be distributed through the network European Union (EU) BASTUN s main context regarding any contact to EU institutions is the policies of the Northern Dimension and Baltic Sea region. In this connection relations to the EU institutions are relevant. BASTUN will maintain relevant contacts to the Economic and Social Committee (EESC) and other EU institutions. BASTUN will follow and influence the implementation of the Baltic Sea Strategy and engage in discussion for any follow-up, especially in terms of financing. 4.2 Project Activities One of BASTUN s tasks is to support and coordinate joint international projects that have a social or political impact on the region. The projects are an operational tool to influence social development of the Baltic Sea region. BASTUN will keep track on the trade union projects in the Baltic Sea region, with a special regard to the new NFS project researching Workers rights in the Baltic States and the Baltic Organising Academy, which has already showed positive examples of organising in Estonia and Lithuania. 5

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