Post-crisis social dialogue in Spain: The calm after the storm

01 November 2016

This study examines the challenges facing tripartite social dialogue in Spain and its potential for revitalization following the timid steps taken by successive governments and the social partners. The authors contrast this situation to the resilience of bipartite social dialogue between trade unions and employer organizations, and the positive contribution it made to coordinating collective bargaining through this difficult economic and political period. The report highlights a number of good practices in seeking to re-launch tripartite social dialogue, including a 2014 Declaration of Intent signed by trade unions, employers’ organizations and the government, and a pact on employment activation policies for the long-term unemployed. These achievements are promising, although additional efforts are needed to fully revitalize social dialogue and contribute to a stronger economic and labour market recovery. The paper considers also the role of social dialogue in key policy issues such as labour market and pension reforms, and the formulation and implementation of National Reform Programmes in the context of the European Semester.

The Right to Social Security in the Constitutions of the World: Broadening the moral and legal space for social justice

02 September 2016

ILO Global Study, Volume 1: EUROPE

ILO Technical Notes - The state of application of the provisions for social security of the international treaties on social rights

02 September 2016

The Governance of Policy Reforms in Southern Europe and Ireland: Social dialogue actors and institutions in times of crisis

01 December 2014

This edited volume provides an overview of the changes that have occurred in industrial relations systems in southern Europe and Ireland as a result of the debt crisis and subsequent fiscal consolidation policies. The authors take stock of developments and consider policy implications. They identify the new challenges in today's crisis context and rapidly changing economic environment, offering a range of strategies and actions aimed at reinforcing social dialogue and industrial relations institutions in ways compatible with international labour standards and the ILO Decent Work Agenda.