Description
The project addressed key issues in the Polish healthcare sector by establishing sustainable forms of social dialogue on decent work topics at regional and local levels, setting up mechanisms for decision-making to improve the decent work agenda, and facilitating the sharing of experiences to foster joint decision-making on models and strategies. Project main activities include: 3 Regional Trainings, Workshops in 5 Polish regions, designing Manual for social partners, Study Visit to Norway and a Social media campaign.
The project aimed to introduce effective forms of social dialogue on topics related to decent work. This involved creating platforms for discussions among healthcare professionals, employers, and other stakeholders to address issues such as workload, professional qualifications, and retention of healthcare workers. The project sought to establish decision-making mechanisms to improve working conditions in healthcare settings, ensuring that all professional groups in the healthcare sector could benefit from improved working condition. A significant part of the project was dedicated to sharing experiences and improving the competencies of social partners, facilitating social dialogue within existing structures and ensuring joint decision-making on models and strategies.
The project also included regional trainings and workshops to practice social dialogue and improve working conditions, enhancing the skills and knowledge of participants. Additionally, the project focused on raising awareness about decent work issues through a social media campaign and other promotional activities, aiming to reach a broader audience and ensure the importance of decent work in the healthcare sector was widely recognize
Summary of project results
The project aimed to address several critical challenges in the Polish healthcare sector, including high workload in hospitals and residential care centers, difficulties in retaining healthcare workers, and a lack of systems for improving professional qualifications and career development. Additionally, it sought to tackle non-compliance by employers with provisions of the Labour Code, particularly regarding employees'' right to rest and holiday leave planning, as well as imprecise regulations and interpretations of labour laws concerning work schedules, especially for shift workers. The lack of collective agreements and statutory provisions to improve working conditions, particularly for non-medical and technical employees, was also a significant issue the project aimed to address.
To address these challenges, the project implemented a series of activities. It began with an opening conference to discuss implementation and management, followed by a socio-economic analysis and online survey to gather data on decent work issues. Round-table meetings were held to identify healthcare institutions interested in participating in pilot projects, and a study visit to Norway was organized to enable core representatives to learn from Norwegian practices in social dialogue and decent work arrangements. The project also conducted regional trainings and workshops in three Polish regions to practice social dialogue and improve working conditions, developed a manual on best practices for social partners, and concluded with a final conference to present results and sign recommendations for future cooperation. Additionally, a social media campaign was launched to raise awareness about decent work issues.
The project achieved significant results, benefiting various stakeholders in the healthcare sector. It established sustainable forms of social dialogue on decent work topics at regional and local levels, involving healthcare professionals, employers, and other stakeholders. Mechanisms for decision-making were set up to improve the decent work agenda, leading to better provision and quality of healthcare services. The capacitites of social partners were improved, enabling them to engage in effective social dialogue and advocate for better working conditions. The exchange with the Norwegian partner broadened participants'' perspectives on healthcare issues and solutions, contributing to improved working conditions. The project also raised awareness about decent work issues through a social media campaign, enhancing the perception of the health federation as an organization committed to quality social dialogue and decent working conditions. The primary beneficiaries of the project were healthcare professionals in Poland, including doctors, nurses, and technical staff, as well as employers and other stakeholders involved in the healthcare sector.
Summary of bilateral results
The Norwegian partner organised a study trip, and the project promoter reported that important learning was how Norwegian trade unions are involved in the ways working conditions and salaries are formed, and this was best practice to bring home to Poland. They also highlighted the added value of visiting a hospital in Norway and talk directly to the medical staff.