Social Dialogue and the Future of Work Background report for the ILO-AICESIS Conference November 2017 Athens, Greece

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1 Governance and Tripartism Department (GOVERNANCE) Social Dialogue and the Future of Work Background report for the ILO-AICESIS Conference November 2017 Athens, Greece Igor Guardiancich " Senior Technical Officer on Social Dialogue" Social Dialogue and Tripartism Unit"

2 The four mega-drivers of change

3 The fundamental role of social dialogue and tripartism Social dialogue and tripartism have played a major role throughout history. We think they will be even more needed in the future to find appropriate solutions to the challenges posed by the transformation of the world of work ILO Director-General Mr Guy Rider 3

4 The survey 21 questions in 4 sections: 1. The current status of social dialogue. 2. The changing world of work and the challenges facing ESC-SIs. 3. The perceived role of social dialogue institutions in dealing with FoW-related challenges. 4. Support ESC-SIs needed from the ILO and AICESIS. 44 ESC-SIs responded to the survey questionnaire. Around 60% were AICESIS member institutions.

5 The status of social dialogue: the crisis and its aftermath Many ESC-SIs were still recovering from the the global financial crisis at the time of the survey.! 2/3 acknowledged that social dialogue had been challenged in some way in recent years! 1/2 had undergone major reforms, including of their: " mandate (e.g. adding environmental issues); " composition (increased representation of youth, women or self-employed); " structure (e.g. establishment of dedicated working groups or committees); " method of functioning (multi-annual planning). 5

6 ESC-SIs awareness of the changing world of work! 2/3 developed a strategic plan to enhance the role of social dialogue and policy concertation;! 3/4 had an action plan dealing with at least one issue pertinent to the Future of Work agenda " mostly in an advisory or information sharing rather than negotiating role.! Higher priority ESC-SI roles " social dialogue, promoting collective bargaining and sound employment relations; social protection; working conditions; unemployment and underemployment! Medium priority ESC-SI roles " workplace compliance; corporate social responsibility; and to the changing nature of work. 6

7 Policy priorities of ESC-SIs The responses by different ESC-SIs have displayed some polarization.! Countries with a long-established tradition of social dialogue and well-resourced ESC-SIs have devoted greater attention to FoW-related challenges.! ESC-SIs in countries lacking such a tradition and with lower resource availability prioritized current, pressing labour market problems over the less familiar emerging challenges " e.g. youth unemployment, occupational safety and health, workplace compliance, and so on. 7

8 ESC-SIs and FoW-related challenges ESC-SIs were found to be at different stages of preparedness vis-à-vis the 4 mega-drivers of change.! Newer phenomena, such as technological and climate change, were actively debated by fewer ESC-SIs than the longer-standing issues of demographic shifts and accelerating globalization: " 1/3 actively engaged in discussions at the national, regional or global levels regarding technological advances; " less than 1/3 of the ESC-SIs undertook any specific activities (e.g. research, policy advice, advocacy or capacity building); " fewer still had engaged on the issue of climate change. 8

9 Constraints to the effective functioning of ESC-SIs! Internal constraints " lack of human, technical and financial resources; " weak convening power; " limitations to the mandate;! External constraints " decreasing union density; " decentralization of collective bargaining; " weakened capacity of the social partners.! Newer challenges were on average accorded lower priority " lack of representation of specific groups such as youth, migrant workers, crowdworkers or the self-employed; " the emergence of new forms of work; " the interaction with new civil society actors. 9

10 Policy recommendations to ESC-SIs! Strengthen strategic planning and devise realistic, costed and time-bound programmes to deal with FoW priorities.! Adopt a proactive role: " increase the institutions convening power and bring together the tripartite actors; " enhance partnerships with experts and academia to strengthen technical capacity and knowledge.! Set up working groups to examine FoW-related issues in greater depth (e.g. in relation to the upskilling of new forms of work).! Heighten public awareness about the importance of renewing the social contract through public hearings or the commissioning of studies. Use sound communication strategies. 10

11 The importance of communication! ESC-SIs would benefit from increased sharing of experiences and good practices across countries and regions. " Such exchanges could help those ESC-SIs that are only now starting to think about FoW to learn from others for whom these issues have been on the agenda for some time already.! AICESIS, in collaboration with the ILO, may serve as facilitator for some of the above activities. " Their long experience can be mobilized to facilitate communication among ESC-SIs, the cross-fertilization of new policy ideas and approaches, and the exchange of experience and good practice. 11

The role of social dialogue and tripartism in the current development context

Governance and Tripartism Department (GOVERNANCE) The role of social dialogue and tripartism in the current development context Brussels, 17-18 November 2016 Youcef Ghellab Head Social Dialogue and Tripartism