Industrial Relations in Europe 2012 - European Commission - Europa

strengthened where possible in the audiovisual sector in those countries where it is absent. The
declaration includes suggestions for action towards these objectives, addressed at the European
Union, national governments and employers and workers organisations in the new Member States.
Building on the experience of the previous projects, the European social partners in the sector have
launched a new round of national capacity-building workshops in the Czech Republic, Estonia,
Latvia, Lithuania and Poland in the period from November 2011 to June 2012. A regional seminar
on national and EU social dialogue for national social partners from these countries and
representatives of European social partners from the sector was organised in October 2012. The
resulting Tallinn Declaration stresses the sector's unequivocal support for the European Parliament's
resolution of May 2012, which states that "press and media freedom are hallmarks of a democratic
society". Confirming the principles and commitments set out in the Sofia Declaration, the European
social partners in this sector expressed the views that: social dialogue and collective bargaining are
important factors for economically and socially sustainable growth, equipping the social partners to
adapt to change and face challenges, more particularly in times of crisis; freedom and association
and social dialogue need to be inclusive and cover all forms of employment; collective bargaining
should cover all workers, including the most vulnerable; and skills development should be
considered a fundamental right of workers as well as an essential tool for industry to grow and
adapt to change. The social partners also called upon the EU and the Member States to abstain from
political interference and respect editorial freedom; ensure the necessary funding; and develop an
appropriate regulatory framework enabling the sector – both public and private – to develop its full
potential.
While there is no sectoral social dialogue in the non-profit social services sector, a project to
promote employers' social services organisations was carried out in 2012. The aim of the project
was to provide a detailed understanding of how social dialogue is organised and structured in the
social services sector in Europe. The mapping exercise and exchange of good practice promoted by
this first project could ultimately lead to explore the possibility for the creation of a European
sectoral social dialogue committee. As highlighted in the Social Business Initiative 104 , social
enterprises are an important part of promoting a highly competitive social market economy. Several
studies demonstrated that industrial relations tend to be more peaceful in social enterprises, since
their method of governance favours participation and openness.
Industrial policy
The social partners in the industrial sectors, in particular trade unions, have expressed interest in
participating in the impact assessment process presented by the Directorate-General for Internal
Market and Services. They also discussed the following issues without producing a joint statement:
system of governance and remuneration and anti-discrimination in access to and the provision of
goods and services.
Following dissolution congresses of the European Metalworkers' Federation (EMF), the European
Mine, Chemical and Energy workers' Federation (EMCEF), and the European Trade Union
104 COM(2011)682 of 25 October 2011
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