Strengthening Social Dialogue in the Construction Industry

1. Strengthening Social Dialogue in the Construction Industry Presentation of a Training Project Florence, 6 February 2006

2. Strengthening Social Dialogue in the Construction Industry • A proposal for trade union training in the construction industry was developed together with EFBWW • Submitted to European Commission and approved for funding • Project countries: • the new EU member states (Cyprus, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Malta, Poland and Slovenia) • Czech Republic and Slovakia • Lithuania to be discussed – national seminar only??

3. Development objectives of the project • Support the development of sustainable trade union organisations affiliated to EFBWW • Promote • effective recognition of trade unions and trade union rights as fundamental pillars for implementing the European Social Dialogue model • technological innovation for trade unions • Promote exchange of practices and experiences amongst European trade unions in the construction industry

4. Immediate objectives of the project • To strengthen capacity of trade unions to participate effectively in social dialogue with employers, both at company, national and European level • Topics • Social dialogue in the construction sector • Health and safety • European Work Councils (EWC) • Employment • Free movement of workers • ILO fundamental rights and principles at work, i.e. freedom of association and the effective right to collective bargaining, protection against discrimination in employment, forced labour and child labour

5. Immediate objectives of the project – information technology • Introduction to information technology for trade unions aimed to • enhance networks capacities for trade unions • provide better access to relevant information and contribute to easier exchanges of practices and experiences amongst workers’ organisations in the “project countries” and those in other EU member states • identify best practices in the field of health and safety, workers’ rights, collective bargaining and employment

6. Training of Trainers Seminar – FlorenceFebruary 2006 • Topic social dialogue • ILO fundamental rights and principles at work, including collective bargaining and freedom of association • Globalisation • Role of workers' organisations in the decision-making processes • Social dialogue • Health and safety) • Free movement of workers • Employment • Computerised networking • Preparation of seminars at regional level

7. Seven or eight seminars at national level – April to November 2006 • 20 participants • Topics • health and safety • European Work Councils (EWC) • collective bargaining • employment • migration (posting of workers, free movement of workers) • trade union rights • new technology for trade unions

8. Target group - general For all seminars special attention must be paid to select an increased the number of women participants

9. Target group - seminar in Florence • Trade union officials/trainers with experience in • collective bargaining • health and safety • labour relations • Participants will play an active and dynamic role in the training seminars at national level • English language skills are an advantage

10. Target group national seminars • Trade union officials/members from the construction industry, involved in • collective bargaining • health and safety • labour relations

11. Costs The project was submitted to the European Commission for funding, and approved Costs for participation will be covered by the project budget, according to rules and regulations of the European Commission General rule: activities should be implemented on a low cost basis

12. General information • Contact persons in ITC ILO: • Freek Thomasson; Email: f.thomasson@itcilo.org • Daniela Klein; Email: d.klein@itcilo.org • Website of the project: • http://training.itcilo.it/actrav/courses/2006/A4-51118_web/ • Telephone: ++ 39 011 693.6452 and ++ 39 011 693.6……