In general terms I understand The European Social Model as a vision of society that combines sustainable economic growth with ever-improving living and working conditions. This includes full employment, good quality jobs, equal opportunities, social protection for all, social inclusion, and involving citizens in the decisions that affect them. The term European Social Model has been used in policy circles in Europe but it lacks a precise definition. On the European Summit in Lisbon this definition was mentioned: “European Social Model with its developed systems of social protection must underpin the transformation of the knowledge economy.”
The European social dialogue is a tool to ensure the smooth functioning of labour markets, recognized by articles 138 and 139 of the EC Treaty. It refers to the discussions, negotiations and the joint actions undertaken by the social partner organizations representing the two sides of industry (management and labour) at EU-level.
Twenty years ago, in 1985, at Val Duchesse in Brussels, the then European Commission President Jacques Delors formally launched the bipartite European Social Dialogue between the ETUC (European Trade Union Confederation) and employers. The Maastricht Treaty, which came into force in 1993, recognized the social partners’ right to negotiate binding Europe-wide framework agreements, which are either formalized into EU legislation as Directives, or implemented ‘autonomously’ by the partners at European and national levels.…
