Jonne Rinne European Confederation of Police
President contact:@eurocop-police.org
EUROCOP – 59a Rue Principale L-5480 Wormeldange – Luxembourg www.eurocop.org
Press Release
European Parliament calls on the Commission to increase its support for sectoral social dialogue committees
Brussels, 1 June 2023
Members of the European Parliament have called on the European Commission to maintain its logistical support for sectoral social dialogue committees and to increase its financial, legal and technical engagement. This was the European Parliament reaction as the Commission is planning to review the rules on organising and financing of the European Sectoral Social Dialogue Committees. According to MEPs social dialogue in the EU must be protected as it contributes to economic and social resilience, competitiveness, stability, sustainable and inclusive growth and development.
EuroCOP, which is the voice of European police officers, has welcomed the European Parliament Resolution on strengthening social dialogue, that has been adopted on 1 June. EuroCOP especially welcomes the call to continue and even increase support for sectoral social dialogue committees. The Commission is planning changes in organisation and financing of sectoral social dialogue committees due to budgetary constraints.
According to Jonne Rinne, EuroCOP President “there are legitimate strong concerns, that this planned review process might not match the Commission’s ambitions to further strengthen EU social dialogue. Weakening of financial, legal and technical support for social dialogue committees will lead to fewer meetings, lesser political engagement in meetings, unclear consultation processes and cumbersome administrative proceedings towards social partners agreements.”
Since the publication of the Communication on Strengthening social dialogue in the European Union: harnessing its full potential for managing fair transitions, on 25 January 2023, EuroCOP together with 35 organizations representing trade unions and employers has been calling on the Commission to revise its plans to change the organisation of sectoral social dialogue committees, including a possible revision of the 1998 Decision.
As Jonne Rinne explains “since more than 18 months social partners have been discussing with the European Commission its plans. However, it seems that the proposal on the table remains unchanged and threatens not only sustainability of social dialogue but also existence of some committees, which are crucial for many sectors”.
The Commission’s obligation to support social dialogue is well written in the Treaty. The Communication published by the Commission recognises the role of social dialogue in shaping and delivering fair green and digital transitions and crisis management. Therefore social partners expect, that the Commission will maintain both its logistical and financial support for sectoral social dialogue committees and enhance its political support.