Enhancing quality of work and life through effective social dialogue in the Western Balkans

High level delegates from EU agencies, trade unions, employers and governments in the Western Balkans met in Tirana, Albania on 3 April for a one day event, ‘Enhancing Quality of Work and Life through Effective Social Dialogue in the Western Balkans’.

Social dialogue is a key pillar of the EU and a requirement for joining the bloc, under Chapter 19 of the Acquis, with all six Western Balkans countries to demonstrate they have effectively developed standards in labour law, equality, health and safety at work and anti-discrimination. Under the tripartite system developed by the International Labour Organisation (ILO), social dialogue involves trade unions, employers and governments.

The importance placed on social dialogue was evidenced by the participation of the heads of the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC), Eurofound and the European Training Foundation (ETF) at the event, as well as government ministers and representatives of the ILO, trade unions, youth organisations and businesses.

Oliver Röpke, President of the EESC, said the Western Balkans was at the top of the agency’s agenda, with candidate countries engaged in social dialogue initiatives alongside EESC members to develop the EU social agenda. Röpke emphasised the importance of social dialogue as a fundamental pillar of the EU model and that it could not be “an option extra or an after-thought”. With the recent spike in attacks on civil society and social dialogue in the EU and beyond, Röpke said “we have to insist on their integral part in the EU system,” as they are “indispensable to well functioning democracies and as a prerequisite for EU accession.”

Ivailo Kalfin, Executive Director of Eurofound, said that social dialogue was not easy due to the number of divergent interests, “but once decisions are taken they are extremely solid, and this motivates society and communities, which is why the role of social partners is key.”

To ensure such development, legal guarantees were essential to “create spaces to take decisions, not just sign decisions by political institutions, but to have the strength and right to strike and take industrial action, if you want citizens to be active. There are plenty of ways to participate in public dialogue, and this needs to be supported.”

Reflections on the EU’s expansion

The EESC, Eurofound and the ETF have all been instrumental in developing social dialogue in the EU and beyond as the bloc expanded. Pilvi Torsti, Director of the ETF, said that when the agency was established 30 years ago the EU had only 12 members, and worked closely with future candidate countries to develop education, training and social dialogue for long-term partnerships that go beyond electoral cycles. 

Majlinda Dhuka, Minister of State and Albania's Chief Negotiator with the EU, said the country and others in the region have created a bridge of cooperation with the ESSC, and were utilising the knowledge and training opportunities provided by Eurofund and the ETF to “join the European family.”

While becoming a EU member poses both opportunities and challenges, Dhuka said that substantial positive changes can be realised, as occurred in the 10 countries that became EU member states in  2004, and Croatia in 2013. “Economic and social change resulted in tangible changes in working conditions and life for citizens and their workforce,” said Dhuka.

Martin Hošták, EESC member, and Secretary-General of the National Union of Employers of the Slovak Republic, said that in the 21 years since the country became a member of the EU, “social dialogue has been a never-ending process and must be repeatedly kept alive.” His advice to the candidate countries was to “watch very closely what the government is doing, and when important changes are submitted, involve social partners and do not avoid them.”

‘Social dialogue is priceless’

Speakers emphasised the long-term benefits of social dialogue, particularly during times of transformation and crisis, such as during the global financial crisis and the Covid pandemic. “ILO research clearly shows when societal and economic transformations occur, the outcomes are better dealt with with social dialogue,” said Lejo Sibbel, Senior Specialist on Social Dialogue and Labour Law at the ILO. “Social dialogue is priceless. What counts in the end is to add value to all partners involved, as without that, it’s meaningless talk.”

The ILO’s Social Dialogue Report 2024 showed that 87% of the 187 member states have some form of national tripartite social dialogue institution. “Most of the social partners involved view functioning of these bodies in a positive manner, on labour market policies, reform and application, but they do point out that these processes are not inclusive enough, in terms of making sure women are part of the process, and employees from the formal and informal economy, as well as young people,” he said. 

Marija Hanzevacki, EESC member, said that to enable the Western Balkans to join the EU a predictable and managed approach to social dialogue should be followed to close the gap in development. “We recommend a growth plan scoreboard and monitoring committees with social partners for countries. This will be key to present evidence for EU support in candidate countries, and to ease joining. There needs to be input from social partners and civil society,” said Hanzevacki.

Social dialogue in the Western Balkans

The region has made major strides to enact social dialogue policies into law and as part of national reform agendas. “Our societies are undergoing significant transformation and the way we shape industrial relations will shape our economies and people,” said Olta Manjani, Deputy Minister of Economy, Culture and Innovation of Albania. By investing in social dialogue, “we are investing in our future,” she said. 

Over the past year, Albania has strengthened institutional frameworks at the national and regional levels between the government, labour unions and employers. This led to the establishment of regional tripartite councils with a particular focus on skills, education, and training, as well as an increase in the minimum wage, through consultation with social partners, said Manjani.

It has not been an easy road, with more to be done, said Dafina Peci, Executive Director at National Youth Congress of Albania. “Social dialogue is fundamental… but I think for Albania, with a long and hard time of communism, and 30 years of transformation, dialogue is not our most favourite exercises,” she said. 

Ensuring dialogue occurs throughout the region requires cooperation, said Pavle Radovanović, Vice-President of the Chamber of Economy of Montenegro. “Most countries in the Western Balkans, the decision makers, are not so keen to involve all social partners and civil society, as well as NGOs or chambers, to have genuine inclusion, but it is important to invite people from the start of the process,” he said. 

Also involving young people, vocational education institutions and civil society in the social dialogue process will enable future concerns to better addressed, said Silvio Gonzato, Head of the Delegation of the EU to Albania. “Experiences from EU member states shows that civil society organisations can play key roles in policies, and consultations are key. They are quite often in a better position than government officials to reach out to people in need. We should make space for social dialogue and civil society, and to protect fundamental rights,” said Gonzato.