Description
The project aimed to improve working conditions in the mining sector by enhancing social dialogue and increasing awareness about decent work issues. The project sought to create a favourable environment for decent work by leveraging the best practices from Norway.
The main objectives of the project were to set up a favourable environment for decent work topics, such as providing decent pay, high health and safety standards, fair competition, equal treatment, and a non-discriminatory environment for every person and job position. The project also aimed to increase awareness of the importance of social dialogue to facilitate the establishment of decent working conditions in the mining sector. Additionally, the project focused on training professional staff, including company health and safety officers, staff from labour inspectorates, and social partner institutions, on decent work issues. An essential part of the project was the exchange of knowledge and experience from Norway on tripartite consultation, work-life balance, gender equality, and non-discrimination.
The project activities included a kick-off meeting to establish the project milestones and schedule the program agenda, a training course with Norwegian and Bulgarian experts in Sofia, and two national training courses for social partners in areas of Bulgaria where the mining sector and social dialogue are fragile. These training courses focused on sharing experience and best practices from Norway and setting up a favourable environment in Bulgaria for implementing better practices. The project also involved preparing a publication and video on the decent working agenda in Bulgaria, a raising awareness campaign, and a final conference to promote the project results.
Summary of project results
The project aimed to address significant challenges in the Bulgarian mining sector related to working conditions, health and safety standards, and effective social dialogue. Key issues included the need for decent pay, fair competition, equal treatment, and a non-discriminatory environment for all workers. The project sought to address occupational health and safety problems, workers'' rights during restructuring in line with international agreements, and issues related to collective labour agreements. By leveraging best practices from Norway, the project aimed to create a favourable environment for decent work and increase awareness about these issues among employees, employers, and social partners.
The project implemented several activities to achieve its objectives. It began with a kick-off meeting to establish project milestones and schedule the program agenda. A training course with Norwegian and Bulgarian experts was held in Sofia, followed by two national training courses for social partners in areas where the mining sector and social dialogue are fragile. These courses focused on sharing experiences and best practices from Norway. The project also prepared a publication and video on the decent working agenda in Bulgaria, conducted a raising awareness campaign, and organised a final conference to promote the project results. Study visits were conducted in both Bulgaria and Norway, involving a total of 43 participants.
The project achieved significant results, including improved social dialogue and better connections among social dialogue actors in the Bulgarian mining sector. It enhanced awareness and knowledge about decent work issues among professional staff, including company health and safety officers, staff from labour inspectorates, and social partner institutions. The project also increased awareness among society about the importance and usage of decent work conditions. Although the project did not have a formal partner from Norway, the involvement of Norwegian experts provided valuable know-how and experience, contributing to the establishment of long-term relations between social actors from Norway and Bulgaria. The primary beneficiaries were workers in the mining sector, who gained better working conditions and increased awareness of their rights, and employers, who recognised the benefits of implementing the decent work agenda. Overall, the project made a substantial impact on improving working conditions, enhancing health and safety measures, and fostering social dialogue in the Bulgarian mining sector.