Description
The project addressed significant changes in the Croatian railway sector over the past three decades, including job losses, flexible employment relationships, longer working hours, and reduced access to training. These changes resulted from the liberalization and restructuring of the sector, leading to the transformation of old public companies into state-owned entities operating under market rules.
The main objectives of DeWoTed were to create a framework for better access to decent working conditions, improve the skills and competencies of social partners and professionals, and raise awareness about the benefits of decent work. The project achieved these goals through a series of activities over 24 months, including preparatory steering committee meetings, panel discussions, trainings, regional workshops, and a social media campaign.
Key activities included:
- Preparatory steering committee meetings to identify relevant topics.
- Four panel discussions with regional and local employees and committees.
- Four trainings for social partners and professionals in Zagreb.
- Four regional workshops in Zagreb, Split, Rijeka, and Osijek.
- Creation of a book of best practices, including Norwegian experiences.
- A follow-up conference to present the project''s outcomes.
- A social media campaign to raise awareness.
Summary of project results
The project "DeWoTed: Standing for Fair and Decent Working Conditions in the Railway Sector of Croatia" aimed to address several issues and challenges in the Croatian railway sector. Over the past three decades, the sector experienced significant changes due to liberalization and restructuring, leading to job losses, flexible employment relationships, longer working hours, and reduced access to training. These changes resulted in the transformation of old public companies into state-owned entities operating under market rules, which put pressure on productivity and working conditions. The project sought to improve prospects for fair and decent working conditions by addressing these challenges and promoting better access to decent work arrangements.
To achieve its goals, the project implemented a series of activities over 24 months. These activities included preparatory steering committee meetings to identify relevant topics, four panel discussions with regional and local employees and committees, and four trainings for social partners and professionals in Zagreb. Additionally, the project organized four regional workshops in Zagreb, Split, Rijeka, and Osijek, created a book of best practices incorporating Norwegian experiences, held a follow-up conference to present the project''s outcomes, and conducted a social media campaign to raise awareness. These activities aimed to enhance social dialogue, improve skills and competencies, and raise awareness about the benefits of decent work.
The project achieved several significant results and impacts for its beneficiaries. It improved social dialogue and cooperation between the Railway Workers Trade Union of Croatia (SŽH), HŽ Infrastruktura d.o.o., and other stakeholders. The project also enhanced the implementation of the decent work agenda, facilitated access to employment, and strengthened collaboration between Croatian and Norwegian entities. Tangible deliverables included policy recommendations, training reports, and a book of best practices. The primary beneficiaries were the employees and employers in the Croatian railway sector, who gained better working conditions, improved skills, and increased awareness of decent work practices.