Esta es la versión HTML de un fichero adjunto a una solicitud de acceso a la información 'Documents related to 24.06.2022 meeting between Commissioner Schmit and several organisations'.



Ref. Ares(2022)5246299 - 19/07/2022
From:
 (EMPL)
To:
KAUFFMANN Barbara (EMPL); IVANKOVIC-KNEZEVIC Katarina (EMPL); GELENG Manuela (EMPL);
PASERMAN Ruth (EMPL)CURELL GOTOR Jordi (EMPL)
Cc:
KORTE Joost (EMPL); OLSSON Stefan (EMPL); PEREIRA Ana Carla (CAB-SCHMIT); 
 (EMPL); 
 (EMPL); 
 (EMPL); 
 (SG); 
(EMPL); 
 (EMPL); 
 (EMPL); 
 (EMPL); 
 (EMPL);
 (EMPL)
Subject:
Flash report: Social Dialogue Committee 14/6/22
Date:
lundi 20 juin 2022 14:53:07
Dear all,
With thanks to  , please find below the Flash from the last Social Dialogue meeting of 14th
June.
Best,
 
 
Flash report: Social Dialogue Committee 14/6/22 

The SDC is the main body for cross-industry bi- and tripartite social dialogue at EU level. It meets
3 times a year to discuss employment and social topics.
It was the first SDC meeting since the start of the pandemic that allowed for in-person
participation (hybrid format). The meeting was chaired by 

.
·       2022 social dialogue initiative
Joost Korte updated social partners on the preparations of the 2022 social dialogue initiative.
With respect to the planned Communication, he mentioned the possible action proposals for
strengthening EU social dialogue that received support from social partners: (1) the
establishment of a network of social dialogue coordinators, (2) the information session  on the
Commission Work Programme shortly after its adoption, (3) the focus on  the implementation of
autonomous agreements in the Social Dialogue Call for Proposals, (4) the new platform for
promotion and analysis of EU social dialogue, (5) the visiting programme for young future
leaders of social partner organisations. On the new support framework for social partner
agreements, he referred to the feedback received from social partners that they would welcome
early feedback and legal advice, but that the need for an impact assessment (IA) is questioned.
While referring to the better regulation tool 10, he indicated that, in his view, an IA should be
avoided as much as possible but there may be cases where it is inevitable (i.e. when there are
consequences for other parts of the society). Regarding the Sectoral Social Dialogue structures,
he outlined the idea of introducing clusters with a view to foster cooperation on topics of
common interest across several Sectoral Social Dialogue Committees (SSDCs). For the meeting
organisation, he understood that it would be difficult to agree on a new approach before the
adoption of the Communication, therefore, the Commission will continue to offer the current
way of meeting organisation for the coming year in order to avoid any abrupt changes, and he
stressed the need to continue the discussion and to explore new possibilities to ensure the long
term sustainability of organising such meetings.
In their reactions, social partners agreed to most points of convergence as raised by the DG.
However, there still remain some differences. On the supporting frame, they raised concerns
about the need for any impact assessment of social partner agreements. BusinessEurope asked
for more clarity and concrete formulations. For SMEunited and SGI Europe a Call for Evidence
(CfE) and an Open Public Consultation (OPC) would not be acceptable. According to ETUC, the
logic of an IA (need for EU action, compare options) would not apply to social partner

agreements as EU cross-industry social partners are clearly the most representative
organisations and know best matters related to working conditions.  ETUC suggested looking for
alternative ways to gather and present evidence. Employers  raised concerns about the
confusion that potential clusters may create with the role of cross-industry social partners. A
top-down approach should be avoided. In this context, ETUC pointed to the importance of
multisector outcomes. BusinessEurope advocated the creation of 2 new tripartite Advisory
Committees on employment and social protection (as per its own proposal). ETUC welcomed the
initiative of a social dialogue coordinator, insisting on linking those to the SDC.
On the forthcoming Council RecommendationJoost Korte highlighted the need for unanimity in
the Council and the absence of a negotiating role for the European Parliament. The Commission
intends to propose an ambitious text, which could rely on the recent agreement on the
Minimum Wage Directive for the part on collective bargaining. For monitoring purposes, the
Commission could propose to organise a stocktaking event every 2 years. With respect to
collective bargaining and procurement, some significant steps have been taken in the context of
the Minimum Wage negotiations. The idea is to procure only to companies that respect
collective bargaining. The Recommendation could also refer to this matter.
Social partners stressed the need for caution when referring to the Minimum Wage Directive in
the context of the Recommendation since both processes are different. SGI Europe also enquired
about the monitoring of the Recommendation (beyond the event) and called for the involvement
of EMCO in this respect. SMEunited insisted on the involvement of social partners in the
monitoring.
On the conditionality of social dialogue, ETUC would welcome if the Recommendation could go a
bit further by including conditionality for access to some EU instruments. The employer side does
not agree to the proposal of conditionality in public procurement, since it is important to have a
level playing field for businesses.
In his reply, Joost Korte pointed to the fact that IAs and a good evidence base are very helpful for
defending proposals in the Council. He clarified that OPC and CfE would only be done if after 2nd
stage social partner consultation there is no agreement between social partners to enter into
negotiations. On the new tripartite Advisory Committee, he wondered whether there is really a
need for setting this up such a permanent structure. He invited social partners to discuss this in a
separate meeting. Regarding the clusters, he indicated that it is not the aim to replace cross-
industry social partners. On the Minimum Wage Directive and the Recommendation, he agreed
that both processes should not be mixed, but that there has been substantial progress in an area
where the EU has never legislated which could be helpful for being more ambitious in the
Recommendation. On public procurement, the rules also intend to promote social dialogue.
Regarding the monitoring of the Recommendation, this should not only happen via a stocktaking
event, but also by regular Commission reporting and a reporting mechanism at national level. On
the social dialogue coordinators, they should receive a standing invitation to SDC and other
gatherings such as the Liaison Forum.
·       Recent developments in employment and social policies
Joost Korte briefly updated social partners on recent developments in employment and social
policies. He referred to the guidance to Member States to help people fleeing Russia’s war
against Ukraine in accessing jobs, training and adult learning (adopted on 14/06), the
agreements reached on the Directives on Minimum Wage and Women on Boards, the proposal
on Platform Work Directive on which the CZ Presidency aims to achieve a General Approach, and
the upcoming Commission initiatives (minimum income, essential services, asbestos, care
strategy).
ETUC expressed concerns about deleting from the COREPER agenda the ILO Convention 190 on
eliminating violence and harassment in the world of work. Joost Korte explains that the file is
stuck because of a discussion on legal competence. BusinessEurope highlighted the issue of skills
shortages pointing to 3 key areas (in work benefits to mobilise inactive, mobility within EU and

legal migration) and informed that a position paper is under preparation. Joost Korte agreed with
the analysis but questioned what can be done in addition at the EU level since there are already
several initiatives.
·       Skills and Talents Package

 C2 (DG HOME), presented the Skills and Talents Package in the context of legal
migration which consists of a Communication on attracting skills and talent to the EU and of
recasts of the Long-Term Residents Directive and the Single Permit Directive. Social partners
supported the initiative and highlighted the need of involving social partners in the governance
of the processes. For BusinessEurope, it would be important to get in touch with sectors that
face skills shortages. BusinessEurope will also create a webpage with information on measures
reported by members. SMEunited enquired about the timing of the recasts. ETUC called upon
the Commission to target all categories of migrants not only high skilled. DGB highlighted the
need for a proper legal basis for the talents pool. On the timing, the Commission responded that
the CZ presidency will start with Single Permit Directive and that SE would need to take over.
There was a need to discuss interconnections with existing tools such as EURES.
·       Activities of social partners
Social partners informed participants about the EU social dialogue work programme 2022-2024
which will be adopted at the EU Social Partners Conference on 28 June. Regarding the second
implementation report of the 2020 autonomous agreement on digitalisation, so far there have
been 12 joint inputs, 2 from the employers side (EL, PT) and 1 from the trade union side (IT).
While the report had been adopted in the morning, it will be finalised soon. As regards the
update on the integrated projects, there will be a joint activity to support members with the
implementation of the digitalisation autonomous agreement by (1) developing a digital tool with
a repository of examples; (2) country visits to understand what is happening on the ground and
to help overcome difficulties. On capacity building, there will be a joint seminar in Turkey on 16-
17 June. The forthcoming project proposal of social partners will again focus on capacity
building.
The next SDC meeting is scheduled on 27 September 2022 (hybrid format).