Description
The project and its activities contributed towards improving working conditions ensuring decent work for workers in the metal sector with a focus on building capacities of workers and employers representatives, representatives of social partners, members of trade unions and experts. The main outcome and the produced outputs had a clear focus on the objectives in order to improve and contribute towards establishing a general information system - Labor Information System (LISC) - for improving the decent work regulations, and established tools for information on workers rights in the metal sector in Croatia.
Objectives:
- Improve understanding of support services for workers and inform new labor policy frameworks.
- Increase knowledge among employees and employers about EU laws and policies related to employee involvement, rights, and duties.
- Enhance information dissemination regarding decent work legislation.
- Improve workers'' rights literacy through the LISC.
- Foster new approaches to workers'' rights through the establishment of an Information Bureau (IB) and a Workers Advocacy Club (WAC).
- Build capacities of workers through advocacy training and local mini-trainings on stress relief, cross-cultural issues, gender equality, and psycho-social support.
- Increase knowledge through a comparative data report on the implementation of ILO Convention no. 144 in Norway and Croatia.
- Produce promotional materials on ILO Convention no. 144 focusing on tripartite decision-making.
Activities:
- National Labor Conference to promote the Decent Work Agenda.
- Comparative data report between Norway and Croatia.
- Establishment of LISC in Croatia.
- Development of a guideline manual for a quality Labor Information System.
- Training curriculum for Workers Rights Advocates.
- Establishment of an Information Bureau and Workers Rights Club.
- Preparation of a final report documenting the LISC model.
- Communication and publicity to raise awareness and disseminate project outcomes.
Summary of project results
The project aimed to address the challenges related to the lack of awareness and implementation of the Decent Work Agenda in Croatia, particularly within the metal industry sector. Key issues included insufficient understanding of workers'' rights, existing policies, and the need to strengthen the social system through improved services. There was also a need to increase knowledge among employees and employers about EU laws and policies related to employee involvement, rights, and duties. The project sought to enhance information dissemination regarding decent work legislation and improve workers'' rights literacy.
The project implemented several activities to achieve its objectives. It began with the organization of a National Labor Conference to promote the Decent Work Agenda and develop the Labor Information System in Croatia (LISC). A comparative data report between Norway and Croatia was developed, identifying best practices and recommendations. The project established the LISC, which included the creation of three new bodies: the Workers Advocacy Club (WAC), Workers Rights Advocates (WRA), and the Information Bureau (IB). A guideline manual for establishing a quality Labor Information System was prepared and validated. The project also developed and implemented a curriculum for training Workers Rights Advocates, with training sessions attended by 42 participants. Additionally, the project engaged advisors for consultations and organized mini-trainings on various topics, including stress management and gender equality. Four quarterly workshops were conducted for Labor Rights Advocates, focusing on communication, stress management, and collaboration skills. The project concluded with the preparation of a final report documenting the model of LISC, WRA, and IB.
The project successfully enhanced the implementation of the Decent Work Agenda in Croatia. It organized a National Labor Conference with 24 participants, including experts and representatives from various organizations. The comparative data report provided valuable insights and recommendations for improving labor policies in Croatia. The establishment of the LISC, WAC, WRA, and IB created a structured system for promoting workers'' rights and decent work. The training curriculum improved the skills of 42 Workers Rights Advocates, and the mini-trainings and quarterly workshops further enhanced their capacities. The project raised awareness through brochures, publications, social media, and a project website, reaching a broad audience. The primary beneficiaries were workers in the metal industry sector, employers, trade unions, and public bodies, who gained a better understanding of support services, EU laws, and policies, and improved workers'' rights literacy. The project outcomes laid the groundwork for future initiatives and were positively received by participants and stakeholders.