DECP at international social dialogue conference: “dialogue paves to way for progress”

Social dialogue is the way forward for progress. That was the main message DECP-director Peter Bongaerts put forward at the Building Bridges conference on social dialogue organised by Mondiaal FNV on the 8th of October, 2019. According to Bongaerts, employers face major challenges, such as technological developments, demographical changes, the integrating international economy and the energy transition. It is becoming increasingly difficult for businesses, both in advanced economies and developing countries, to address these challenges on their own. In a panel discussion during the conference, Bongaerts underlined that a strong dialogue is needed with employees to shape the future of work. “It is important to have strong and representative employers’ organisations and trade unions that work together in a constructive, forward-looking dialogue to pave the way for progress.”

DECP supports employers’ organisations in developing countries to become effective partners in social dialogue. This is increasingly being done together with Mondiaal FNV and CNV Internationaal, who are strengthening trade unions in developing countries. DECP, Mondiaal FNV and CNV Internationaal deliver joint trainings on negotiating skills, advisory missions to prepare for a bi- or tripartite social dialogue and support to successful social dialogue initiatives like the recently started labour foundation in Peru.

The Building Bridges conference stressed that social dialogue is vital for development. DECP keeps standing by employers’ organisations in developing countries to bring social dialogue into practice.