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Description
The project contributed to strenghten trade unions through research and provide a basis for including self-employed in social dialogue.
The membership level of Czech trade unions is steadily decreasing. These are still focusing mostly on representing employees working full time on the basis of employment contract, although the number of employees working under other types of contracts with lower labour legislative protection is increasing.
This project mapped the needs of the existing membership base through a survey, which also addressed non-union members with the aim to find the potential motivation for possible entry into trade union organisation. This information was provided to the trade unions through workshops and publications, and formed a basis for trade unions to prepare campaigns and attract different groups of workers.
In addition, the project linked trade unions with those working in new forms of employment. Trade unions were informed on needs and issues of those working in new forms of employment and became able to start addressing the problems of these workers as well. This could also gain new members to the trade unions.
The Norwegian partner was the independent social science research foundation FAFO, and an expert provided input through the national report which fed into a guideline and the capacity-building of the Czech trade unions.
Main activities included:
- surveys among existing and potential trade union members
- research and drafting of Czech and Norwegian national reports
- publication of a guideline for trade unions
- 2 workshops on the guideline
- printing of guideline in 100 copies and online publication
- organisation of a press conference
Summary of project results
The membership level of Czech trade unions was steadily decreasing, which could weaken the role of social dialogue in the future. Trade unions were primarily focused on representing full-time employees with traditional employment contracts, while the number of workers with atypical contracts and self-employed individuals was increasing. There was a lack of representative data on trade union membership and the needs of both current and potential members. Additionally, the labour market was fundamentally changing, and trade unions needed to rethink their role and adapt to new forms of employment. This was something the project sought to address
The project conducted sociological sample surveys and qualitative interviews to map the needs of existing and potential trade union members, including self-employed individuals and those in new forms of employment. National reports were drafted, providing insights and good practices. A guideline was published to help trade unions address the needs of their members and respond to new labour market topics. This guideline was evaluated in workshops and distributed both in print and online. Workshops were organised for trade union members to evaluate the guidelines, and a press conference was held to present the project results to the media and the public. An unplanned but significant output included the creation of two collective contracts regulating working conditions for self-employed persons in the cultural sector.
The project provided trade unions with new knowledge about their membership base and the needs of workers in atypical employment, helping them to attract new members and strengthen their capacity. The capacity of trade unions to participate in social dialogue was enhanced, particularly at the company level. Guidelines and best practices were developed to help trade unions adapt to changes in the labour market. Working conditions for self-employed individuals in the cultural sector were improved through collective contracts. The project also raised awareness about the needs of non-traditional workers and established cooperation with professional organisations and trade unions in the cultural sector.
The primary beneficiaries of the project were trade unions, which gained valuable insights and tools to strengthen their membership base and adapt to labour market changes. Self-employed and atypical workers benefited from improved representation and working conditions.
Summary of bilateral results
The copperation with the Norwegian partner resulted in information about the collective bargaining system in Norway as one of the countries with a high level of union organization. Furthermore, information on the recruitment strategies of the local trade unions and their approach to workers in the so-called new forms of employment, especially to self-employed persons working in culture. Part of the mentioned information were examples of good practices that could be inspiring in the Czech context.