Final Project Report BH 0403030u

7/31/2019 Final Project Report BH 0403030u

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Final Project Report Project: LABOR AND CAPITAL UNITED IN THE FORMULA OF SOCIAL DIALOGUE

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FINAL PROJECT REPORT

Period covered: December 2008 – November 2009

Applicant organization:TRADE UNION “METALICY” KNSB

BUDGET HEADING – 04.03.03.01

Industrial relations and social dialogue

Project: VS/2008/0461

СФ “МЕТАЛИЦИ” БАМИ

FSS Metarom F.N.S.SOLIDARITATEA METAL

ΟΜΟΣΠΟΝΔΙΑ ΒΙΟΜΗΧΑΝΙΚΩΝ

ΕΡΓΑΤΟΥΠΑΛΛΗΛΙΚΩΝ ΣΩΜΑΤΕΙΩΝ

Birleşik Metal-İş Sendikası

S SS SS SS SS SS S

Trade Union Federat ionTrade Un ion Federa t ionTrade Un ion Federa t ion

o f S t ee l Work e r so f S t ee l Work e r so f S t ee l Work e r s

METAROMMETAROMMETAROM --- ROMANIAROMANIAROMANIA

Federaţia Sindicală aLucr ătorilor din Industrie -METAL




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How was the project carried out? 3

Field of common activities 6

How has the operation met the objectives of Budget heading

04.03.03.01 12

What contribution was made by the partners? 13

Transnational dimension of the operation 16

How was the operation publicised and how have the results beendisseminated? 18

What added value has the project contributed? 19




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Project Vision

This project was implemented with wide international participation in the spiritof the declared partnership, as determining significance for its realization has the activeparticipation of 6 Trade Unions /“METALICY”, OBES- Federation of industrial workersUnions, METAROM ; FNS Solidaritatea Metal; FSLI-Metal, Birlesik Metal/ and 1Employers’ organization / BAMI/ from Bulgaria, Romania, Greece and Turkey.

The different culture and mentality of social partnership in the countries involved inthe project enrich the common initiative undertaken in the framework of this project forworking out of concrete measures and proposals for the priorities of the

national policies of the countries involved in the project regarding theopening and keeping of better workplaces and more motivated and highlyskilled workers.

The problems in branch Metallurgy in the countries from South-Eastern Europe aresimilar mostly because of the presence of many multinational companies which developtheir activity in Bulgaria, Greece, Romania and Turkey /for example- ‘Viohalco group”/.

The project itself has been worked out in the European year of intercultural dialogue-2008. The participation of the countries involved in the project is a sign for the

willingness of the partners’ organizations to exchange experience for the development of the industrial relations and social dialogue in neighboring countries within Europe andthe European Union.

The implementation of the project in 2009 is an adequate response to the initiativesundertaken in the framework of the European year of the creativity and innovationswhich includes except the education and culture also the policy related to the companiesand regional policy. This is also a motive for social partners form the branch in South-Eastern Europe for one new reading of the established industrial relations and the roleof social dialogue, and an opportunity for joint work for deeper exploration of the

perspectives for improving social dialogue as a response to the changingindustrial relations in the globalizing society.

As a whole the workshops, the survey, the information campaign and the Conferencewhich have been implemented in the framework of the project are a joint initiative of the project partners not only for exchange of information, experience and goodpractices but also for dissemination of an innovative policy for monitoring the role of social partners in the different stages of social dialogue, at different levels- European,national, branch.

As a result of the achieved, the project partners heightened their capacity in the fieldof social cooperation and strengthening the role of social dialogue in sector Metallurgy.




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In the framework of the implementation of the project activities the social partnershad the opportunity to discuss and enrich their experience for using of different tools atdifferent levels of social dialogue- European, national and mostly at branch level. Theproject has created conditions for exchange of information and good practices between

social partners from Europe and examples for the existing at the moment Europeanpractices for optimization of the interrelations between labour and capital.

The project contributes to the international dissemination of information, trade unionstrategies, models of in-company relations, national and government policies for oragainst social dialogue, social partnership and etc, through the participation of:

-6 trade union federations from branch Metallurgy-1 employers’ organization-4 countries

-with the coordination and cooperation of the European metalworkers’ federation

In the framework of the project has been established an independent section in theofficial website of the leading organization where there is permanently informationabout the project and the stages of its implementation and there are also visualizedmaterials from the workshops held.

The online web network is already in exploitation. It is one of the elements of theproject, which will continue to operate after its closing.

The project team and all partners reported that the project is beingimplemented responsibly and in the determined time framework.

The implementation of the project created conditions for improvement of socialdialogue process through strengthening the role of the trade unions anddeveloping active and adequate structures, mechanisms and internationaltrade union solidarity, and also in the stages of the project were created appropriateconditions for recruiting representatives of the management in branch Metallurgy fromthe countries involved in the project.

The project results covered all direct and indirect beneficiaries of the project productenvisaged in its framework.

The workshops involved 100 participants from the four countries and 7 organizationsinvolved in the project activities.The Conference involved 40 participants from the four countries and 7 organizations

involved in the project activities.

The research carried out through worked out questionnaire involved 250 participantsfrom the four countries and 7 organizations involved in the project activities.

As printed products of the project have been worked out, issued and disseminated

News bulletin 1 and News bulletin 2.




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These printed materials have the ambition to be a periodical edition not only in theframework of the project but also after its closing in sector Metallurgy and other relatedsectors.

The information campaign for popularizing the aims, tasks and results of the projectreached minimum to 5000 people / through the brochure and news bulletin/, who havedirect benefit from heightening the capacity and knowledge in the field of Europeansocial dialogue and development of social partnership.

All project partners participated in the implementation of the project aims and tasks.The project team presented periodical information to all project partners about every

stage of the implementation of the project.

Each of the project partners had a determined collaborator who was a contact person

for carrying out of current correspondence and preparation and holding of workshopsand working printed materials.In the framework of the project each of the partners was a host of the concrete

workshop and participated in the preparation and holding of the workshop in therelevant country.

The implementation of the project was directed to key processes in sector Metallurgyand contribute to the spreading out of the European Social model.This requires goodsocial dialogue at plant level, at multinational company level and high level of information exchange and social involvement of the management.

During the course of each event, representatives of the national social partnerorganisations were invited to identify what they need to do at national level in order tostrengthen their capacity to represent the views of their members in the European socialdialogue. On the basis of the identified priorities, the social partners individually and

jointly developed specific and time bound action plans.The workshops methodology was designed to assure the maximum participation of

the national trade unions and employers and the experts. The majority of the time ineach national seminar was devoted to discussions in working groups of 25 participants.




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Field of common activities

Act i v i t y1 : I n f o rm a t i o n a n d pu b l i ci t y

In the framework of this activity an information brochure has been worked out, issuedand disseminated in which the project aims, the structure of the project activities,information about the partners’ organizations and the team responsible for themanagement and implementation of the project activities are presented.

The information brochure has been disseminated among all project partners and theinformation it contains is translated in the national languages of the project countries

which makes it more accessible to a wider range of trade unionists.

The information brochure is printed in circulation of 2000 copies and thus the proposalof all partners for large-scale dissemination of the information about the project and itsaims has been realized which gave an opportunity for future dissemination of the projectresults in other sectors.

In the framework of this activity - News bulletin 1 and 2 “Labour and capital-united inthe formula of social dialogue” have been worked out, issued and disseminated incirculation of 4000 copies.

Within this activity- Information and publicity- these two printed materials havethe aim on one hand to announce about the project / information brochure/ and on theother hand through the so called periodical edition of the project- News bulletin, to giveinformation about key topics of the “modern” social partnership in the countries fromthis part of Europe and to present statistics about the development of social dialogue atnational and multinational company level. The news bulletin 1 and 2 itself is designedand developed in such way that it gives a detailed picture and analysis on key for theMetallurgy issues such as- The need for united trade union strategy for the countriesfrom this part of Europe, The employers’ point of view on the development of socialdialogue and collective bargaining as an expression of social responsibility andcommitment of the business, The role of social partners for the maintenance of social

dialogue outside the undertaking or company.

The creation of the Bulletin is also an invitation towards the project partners forfuture joint actions and campaigns between the trade unions from the countries withsimilar organizational culture. This is also the first step towards the maintenance infuture of a permanent catalog of good European practices and a response to thegrowing need for the development and dissemination of information materials andmaintenance of united online information system aimed at presenting the successfulexamples for the development of industrial relations and social dialogue in branchMetallurgy.




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Act i v i t y 2 :

Resea rch– W ork ing ou t and d i ssem ina t ion o f a quest ionn a i re –

Sum m ary o f t he resu l t s –ana lysi s and pub l i ca t i on o f th e resu l t s .

As a logical continuation of the long-established relations of trade union partnershipand exchange of good practices, the project partners participated actively in theworking out and selection of questions which were included in the questionnaire.

Questionnaire aims:• Gathering information about experience exchange in the field of social dialogue,

including gathering information about the legislation on social partnership inBulgaria, Romania, Greece and Turkey.

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Exchange of information about good practices in the field of social dialogue andparticularly in the field of social partnership in multinational companies.

Each of the partners’ organizations proposed 20 questions to be included in thequestionnaire; the team summarized and divided the questions in two subtopics. Thefinal version of the questionnaire was disseminated among target group of 340 people

/workers/attendants, employers, trade unionists/ 100 people from Bulgaria, 100 fromRomania, 50- Greece, 50-Turkey.

Each of the partners summarized the answers received and presented the situation ina compact version for their country.

The final information from the research is disseminated through the first part of theperiodical edition of the project- News bulletin 1 “Labour and capital- united in theformula of social dialogue”.

Ac t i v i t y3 :

Wor kshops –st r ess ing on soc ia l d ialogue in the m e ta l i ndus t ry and

re la ted secto r s The workshops had working character and were held in each of the countries involved

in the project. They were organized and led by each of the host organizations- TU “Metalicy” and BAMI- Bulgaria- 23rd -24th January 2009; OBES- Greece- 13th -14th April 2009; Romania- 10th -11th July 2009 ; BIRLESIK – Turkey – 10th -11th July 2009.

The working groups were composed of 25 participants - representatives of tradeunions, employers, management, and employees’ representatives- work councils.On the workshops was presented information which has been synthesized by the

project team and was presented in presentation, training and information materials-

News bulletin 1 and 2, closing conference, in the framework of the project and also afterits closing in this part of the activities which has multiplier effect- News Bulletin 1 and 2,web network.




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The host organizations managed to involve representatives of the management inactive discussion on the problems of information and consultation at company andsector level.

First workshop – 23rd -24th January 2009, Sofia, Bulgaria

Host organizations – Trade union “METALICY” and Bulgarian Association of MetallurgicalIndustry- BAMI

First workshop had a technical and an informative nature - on the meeting was presented in detail the action plan, goals and objectives of the project and team responsible for the implementation of the project.

This first meeting had a key role in the project and was presented a brief information about each partner- 7 organizations / TU “METALICY”, BAMI, FSS

METAROM, FSLI, SMETAL, OBES, BIRLESHIKMETAL/ and was reviewed the development of social dialogue in each of the 4 countries involved in the project/ Bulgaria, Romania, Greece and Turkey/ - at national level and company level /in

particular a multinational company/.

Highlights of the meeting- Project presentation- Aims, tasks; Management structure; Role of the partners. -Presentation of the partners and their involvement in the project.-Technical details- Project implementation; Organization of the activities; Action Plan;Time plan; Dissemination of the project results.-Presentation of the project philosophy-SOCIAL DIALOGUE – Basic idea, new reality,new challenges, new formula

Second workshop – 12 th -13 th April, 2009 , Athens, Greece

Host organization – OBES- Federation of industrial workers Unions

In the second workshop a review of the development of social dialogue in each

country participating in the project was made. The emphasis was on the development of this process over the past 5 years. This workshop was a very responsible meeting,which included presentations and discussion modules. Thus at each stage of the project

participants were able to acquire more knowledge and information about social dialogue. As a result of this workshop the emphasis was moved on the elements of the gradation of the information about social dialogue and collecting of information in all stages of the project which was disseminated to a wider range of people after the second workshop.

Highlights of the meeting

– Development of social dialogue at national and sector level.-Sharing of information and presentation of good practices.-Membership in the European Union and social dialogue.




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-Challenges before trade unions and employers for the development of the in-companyrelations.-What happens with social partnership in Bulgaria, Romania, Greece and Turkey in thelast five years?

Third workshop – 10th-11th July 2009, Bucharest, Romania

Host of the workshop – Romanian trade union organizations, members of theEMF - Trade Union Federation of Steel Workers METAROM; FNS Solidaritatea Metal;FSLI-Metal.

In the preparation of this meeting we relied on the organizational experience of the colleagues from the Romanian trade unions.

The emphasis was put on the national programs and proposals concerning safety jobs and decent work, employment and social protection in a situation of global financial and economic crisis, strategies for coping with the consequences of the crisis.

Highlights of the meeting -Consequences of the global economic crisis in the metallurgical sector in Europe

and worldwide- Anti-crisis measures at national and sectoral level.

- Sharing of information and presentation of good practices.- Challenges to trade unions and employers on developments in social dialogue in

the new economic conditions

Fourth workshop – 10th-11th July 2009, Istanbul, Turkey

Host of the workshop –Birlesik Metal

Highlights of the meeting - The realities of intra-enterprise level relationships -positive and negative practices in conducting social dialogue at company level.

-Specifics of the conclusion of collective agreements - the most common problems.-Informing and consulting employees. Resolving employment disputes; Social dialogueand social partnership - the fundamental tools in the relations between labor andcapital; -Multinational companies - features of social dialogue. Examples of good practice




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Activity 4:Building and wide spreading of the action and the importance of a

communication web network between the trade union partners from

Bulgaria, Romania, Greece and Turkey.

http://labor-capital.org/index.php

For achieving active exchange and distribution of relevant information in the field of social dialogue, an online network has been developed, direct to the official homepagesof all project partners.This project activity supported and contributed to the process of active cooperation and

development of permanent system for information exchange. In the activity mainly thecoordinators and experts from the countries involved in the project participated.

The functioning of this network contributed to the receiving of additional information inthe field of social dialogue as a final result of the implemented activities connected withsurvey; work on the network and held workshops.

The project website passed through several stages- at the beginning it was databaseregarding the concrete implementation of the project activities, such as- informationabout forthcoming meetings, presentations, technical documents, general informationabout the partners. The website operated mainly for the concrete project activities andpresented the technical implementation of the project. At the second stage of itsdevelopment the website had to receive the approval of all partners and estimation foreffectiveness by the members of organizations who directly will use it. An online inquiryhas been carried out and the results were very positive regarding the benefits from thiswebsite. Also we received from the inquiry many constructive recommendations how thewebsite to be more effective, and how to be developed in future in order to have a realeffect. This website will be a real source for exchange of information on key for socialpartners topics such as Social Dialogue - Social partnership - Collective bargaining - National legislation - Working conditions - Employment

protection - Trade union protection - Steel industry restructuring- Industrial Relations - Trade Unions - Metallurgy Branch - Wages - Jobs - Trade unionism in action- Training for trade unionists - Training for managers.

Activity 5: Final Conference

Host of the Conference – Trade union “METALICY” and Bulgarian association of metallurgical industry- BAMI-18th -20th November 2009, Sofia , Bulgaria

The Conference had determining importance mainly in several directions: • Presentation of detailed information about the development of social dialogue in

the partner countries.• Presentation of good practices in Metallurgy branch in the partner countries for:




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-Exchange of information among social partners aimed at reaching oneness,motivation and responsibility towards common problems.-Consultation-it gives opportunity for the participants in social dialogue to express

their opinions.

The information received and practices shared which had been presented in discussions and presentations during the Conference, were presented subsequently in the project activity I n f o rm a t i o n a n d p u b l i c i t y - t h ro u g h N e w s b u l l e t i n 2

a n d t h e w e b si t e .

In other words the Conference played its role to prepare and create favorable conditions- “bridges” for future joint work of the management and trade unisons.It was also a forum where on one and the same table sat down managers and

employees/attendants and trade unions and discussed the perspectives and parameters of the information and consultation process in undertakings.

Highlights of the Conference - The European social dialogue – chronology of development, structure, key stakeholders –1985 – 2009;

Development of the relations between Labour and Capital within the neweconomic environment

Collective negotiation in an environment of restructuring and outsourcing and therole of the European Worker Councils;

Development of social dialogue and social partnership in Bulgaria – chronology,structure and key stakeholders;

Comparative analysis of unionizing and social partnership in Bulgaria, Romania,Turkey and Greece- based on the survey;

Social dialogue at sector levels; Social partnership in multinational companies.Cooperative social responsibilities; Priorities to the social partners in the metallurgysector and the related sectors




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How has the operation met the objectives of Budget heading04.03.03.01?

As a response to the Lisbon strategy priorities and all core principles of the Social Agenda, this project is directed to key processes in sector Metallurgy and will contributeto the spreading out of the European Social model.

Metallurgy is a sector in which due to the globalization processes like outsourcing as aresult of bringing in independent trade associations and formations / repair activities,transportation, final productions / are appearing increasingly. This situation presumesnew labour relations, social dialogue with new parameters and necessity for heighteningthe qualification.

The involvement of the metallurgic plants in multinational companies and theirprocesses of restructuring require high level of mobility of experts and workers in thesector.This requires good social dialogue at plant level, at multinational company level and highlevel of information exchange and social involvement of the management.




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What contribution was made by the partners?

All project partners participated actively in the implementation of the project aimsand tasks.

The project team presented periodical information to all project partners about eachstage of the project implementation.

All partner organizations had a determined collaborator who was the contact person inthe process of holding of correspondence and transfer of information from or to thepartners.

In the framework of the project the partner organizations participated with technicaland financial ensuring of the workshops.

Thе project was implemented with the cooperation of the social partners fromBulgaria, Romanial, Greece and Turkey as the social dialogue process in theundertakings in Metallurgy branch requires responsible and equal participation of theemployees and of the employers,too.

The partners participated equally in the management of the project and in theimplementation of the project activities. A team for preparation and implementation of all project activities has been constituted:

Project leader - 1 - METALICY Coordinators – 5 – METALICY, METAROM, FNS METAL, OBES, BIRLEESIK Experts - 4 – METALICY, BAMI, FSLI METALTechnical assistants – 2 – METALICY

Accountant- 1- METALICY

The project coordinator –-Manages the project implementation in the relevant country- Bulgaria, Romania, GreeceTurkey;-Chooses the appropriate participants whot will take part in the workshop in the relevant

country;- Responsible for renting a meeting hall and technical equipment for the workshop inthe relevant country.\ The coordinator nominated one collaborator from his/her organization, who was a"contact point" who assisted him/her in the organizing and holding of the workshop, inthe sending out of the invitations and other information related to the project. Thisperson participated in the technical preparation of the working and presentationmaterials.The Coordinator was in a constant contact with the other coordinators of the projectand with the leader of the project.

The person nominated for “ contact point” was in a permanent exchange of informationwith the 2 technical assistants of the project / from TU METALICY/.




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The project expert- has leading role in the activity which concerns the creation and dissemination of theproject questionnaire;

- has leading role in the activity which concerns the creation and dissemination of theproject bulletin-part 1 and 2;- responsible for collecting the necessary information which will be presented at theworkshops.

The project coordinators and experts have leading role in the activity which concernsthe creation and dissemination of special section to the official website of each of thepartners.

For the positive development of the project it is of great importance the participationof trade unionists, management and state experts- in order to be shown different points

of view, to be provoked great commitment and the topics discussed to be the reasonfor reaching a common policy and strategy for adoption and development of socialdialogue at each level- plant level, sector and national level.

All 32 trade unions,which belong to the system of TU “Metalicy” and participate activelyin social dialogue in the undertakings, took part in the process of projectimplementation.

The European metalworkers’ federation participated in the project with one expertwho had leading role in the preparation and holding of the Closing Conference.

All trade union organizations which are project partners are members of the Europeanmetalworkers’ federation. The project has been implemented in cooperation with theumbrella organization and with the idea for expanding of the joint actions of thepartners for provoking other similar initiatives for cooperation and exchange amongtrade union structure, aimed at strengthening the European trade union movement andsolidarity.

Bulgarian Association of Metallurgical Industry /BAMI/ is the employers`representative in the branch and is a traditionally social partner of TU “Metalicy” inlabour and insurance relations.

The participation of BAMI as a project partner was an opportunity for actual results inthe process of informing and consulting employees and attendants, of trainingsconnected with the social dialogue in the undertakings in the branch and of exercising of good European practices aimed at optimizing company relations. Thus favorableconditions for development of this process have been created in order to be of actualuse for the employees and attendants and for the employers as well.

Employers` and government representatives from the partner countries were involved inthe project, too.




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Challenges and opportunities for all partners

First – the involvement of social partners in this project is a technical factor which helpsfor active enhancement of the social partners’ position in the European, national and

regional social dialogue processes and also for supporting social partners to participatein social dialogue with an open mind and adequate knowledge.Second, this project is a contribution to the national policy discussions, because itprovoked the social partners to participate in profound discussions on various macro andmicro economic issues, which go far beyond traditional work-related issues not only oncompany level.

Nowadays, the key factor for social partners from the European countries is to getnational social dialogue under way. Trust and respect towards each other as partners aswell as a strong commitment to the concept and process of social dialogue will lead to

meaningful social dialogue, which yield positive economic and social outcomes for allconcerned.




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Transnational dimension of the operation

The total membership of the organizations involved in the project is 64 000 members.

This project- the implementation and the results- information materials, knowledge,discussion forums, reached at least 10 % of the members of the partners’ organizationsdirectly in the year of its realization. The ambition of this project was to strengthen theinitiatives of the trade unions at regional level- in this part of the EU throughundertaking measures for involvement in active implementation the social programme inthe member countries and also the involvement and integration of Turkey which is acandidate country for membership in the EU. Moreover, the employers’ representativesparticipated in the meetings held but also we can say that our strivings weresubsequently this partnership also to be continued in a real atmosphere at national andcompany level. An indicator for developing social dialogue and partnership can be

immediately found in one future increasing of the trade union density and coverage of collective bargaining in each of the countries involved in the project.The objective of the project team was to present periodically on the website the futureresults of the achieved in the framework of the project still unofficial arrangementsbetween social partners at national and sectoral level.

After a year of project work in Bulgaria, Romania, Turkey and Greece a review of thedevelopment and effects of social dialogue has been made. The employers'representatives participated in all stage of the project implementation. Thus throughtheir active involvement became clear that in the metal industry in South-EasternEurope there is a well functioning social dialogue structures.

But much more efforts are still needed in order the trade unions to have the realpossibility to defend their members’ interests successfully. (the degree of theorganization must be improved). The legal bases need to be revised; social dialogue isnot clearly established. Social dialogue has no binding force, its implementation is notmandatory. Thus, it does not have a strong effect in the society.

The project partners proposed the following measures to be undertaken in order theorganization of social dialogue to be improved:· Sectoral social dialogue must be strengthened.· The social dialogue at company level must be strengthened.

· In multinational companies, pressure from foreign partner trade unions is oftennecessary in order a breakthrough to be achieved.

But there is no alternative to social dialogue! That is why:· The mutual recognition of the social partners must be strengthened.· Fair cooperation must be guaranteed.

The objectives “number one” are:· The agreements at company and sectoral levels to be observed and implemented.· Long-term pacts with employers and governments.

It also became clear that governments and ministries need to be much more involved inthe process of functioning of social dialogue which can lead to tangible results. Also the




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process of establishment of social dialogue structures in the companies should becontinued and the positive developments that have been achieved, for example in thesteel industry, should be supported. Employees’ representatives must make an effort toreach agreements which are profitable to the employees and attendants and in

particular in companies where they have recognized the obvious advantage of efficientcooperation with the trade unions.

The closing conference demonstrated that it is absolutely essential the social dialog tobe promoted on the all three levels- European, national and company. Effectivenetworks must be established between the employees in the companies, national tradeunions and the European Metalworkers’ Federation (EMF). The European umbrellaorganization has a significant role to play here. The EMF must ensure thecomprehensive exchange of information between the member organizations. Goodpractices and experiences are helpful to everyone! The EMF will play its significant role

as a coordinator and organizer of the work of the national trade unions at Europeanlevel.




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How was the operation publicised and how have the results beendisseminated?

The information campaign held in the framework of the project for popularizing thetasks, aims and strategy of the project reached to over 5000 people through theinformation disseminated through:

Information brochure /It was stricken off in 2000 –copies /6 pages /. It informsabout the project aims and tasks, the dimension of the project activities, the peopleresponsible for the fulfillment of the project, the contact details, including thecoordinators` addresses and telephones.

The news bulletin was printed in Bulgarian and in English, Romanian, Greek and Turkishlanguages. On-line publications and information- Periodically it was given information aboutthe course of the project, its effect, the project team and partners, the supportingorganizations and lecturers on the website of TU ‘METALICY’ www.metalicy-bg.com andon the new project website www.labor-capital.org . In other words-about every stage of the project activities.

Main activities /working and presentation materials for/:- 4 workshops- 1 conference

Translated and printed in Bulgarian and in English, Romanian, Greek and Turkishlanguages.

News Bulletin 1 and 2 - It includes comparative tables, examples for goodpractices, expert prognoses.The material was printed in Bulgarian and in English, Romanian, Greek and Turkishlanguages - 4000 copies.

In the course of the project activities implementation were presented materials which

informed about the work of GD “Employment, Social affairs and Equal opportunities”,the aims and tasks which are foreseen in the Budget heading 04030301 for financialsupport when such projects are being implemented.

All information materials on their front page have the logo of the European Union andinformation about the financial support of the European Commission given for theimplementation of the project.

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What added value has the project contributed?

Social dialogue at national level has become an important component of the goodgovernance in all EU members and candidate countries. Social dialogue in the economicand social policy has a fundamental role to play in the process of furthering thedemocracy, social justice and a productive and competitive economy. The association of Labour and Capital in the design and implementation of the economic and social policiesfacilitates the consensus building with a balance between the demands of economicdevelopment and social cohesion. It also provides the best possible scenario for theeffective and sustainable implementation of the policies concerned, minimizing the risk of industrial and social conflict on company level, as well as on national level. Economic

prosperity, stability and social progress cannot be achieved if employers , workers andthe government are acting alone. Social dialogue gives an opportunity to social partnersto take part together in the decision-making regarding their future. The aim of thisparticipation and cooperation is to facilitate the concluding of agreements on the base of a socially acceptable combination of wealth creation, economic and social progress,social security, stability and equity. Social dialogue is regarded primarily as a meansaimed at achieving these goals. It is an effective tool for solving collective challenges bycreating the structure and environment suitable for more efficient problem-solving. Inother words, it is about facilitating constructive interaction in order to arrive at socialconsensus/compromise between Labour and Capital .

Social dialogue, including very early participation in the European social dialogue (evenbefore the EU accession), is extremely important for the trade union. Sectoral socialdialogue must be strengthened, in particular during the processes of restructuring.Moreover, the trade unions must inform and train its activists.Transnational trade union cooperation is becoming increasingly important, in particularin relation to the multinational companies. In case of restructuring of sectors, which canhardly be halted in the course of the EU accession and globalization, sectoral socialdialogue must be established for negotiation of socially acceptable measures.Transnational trade-union cooperation strengthens the trade unions and should beintensified, in particular in South-Eastern European region, too.

The trade unions in the countries of South-Eastern Europe must strengthen theirrepresentativeness and expertise. This will necessitate a greater degree of organization,of strengthening of regional cooperation and of improvement of the flow of informationand training.

Documents

Final Project Report BH 0403030u