More information
Description
The aim of the project was to improve the processes for tripartite social dialogue and cooperation. The project prepared the Mirror Rating Index to monitor the governments'' policy for social dialogue and employers'' priorities, to be used in the social dialogue and for making recommendations. Exchange of best practice with NHO, including in a workshop on tripartite dialogue. The project addressed the challenges identified by both the National Union of Employers in Slovakia and the European Commission, particularly the bypassing of social partners in legislative processes and the need for a more structured social dialogue.
The core objective of the project was to monitor the progress of the Slovak government''s Policy Statement through the creation of the Mirror Rating Index. This index compared government activities with the priorities of employers, focusing on improving the form and standardization of social dialogue at the central level. The project prepared annual reports on the fulfilment of government priorities and employers'' priorities, which were discussed at the meetings of the Economic and Social Council of the Slovak Republic.
The project included several key activities: the preparation of the Mirror Rating Index and reports, regular reporting to social partners, communication of the monitoring progress, and the exchange of best practices with the Norwegian partner, the Confederation of Norwegian Enterprise (NHO), which participates in a workshop in Bratislava and a working visit to share their experience in professionalizing social dialogue.
Summary of project results
The project aimed to address several key challenges in Slovakia''s social dialogue framework. One issue was the tendency to bypass social partners, such as employers and trade unions, in legislative processes, opting instead for political lobbying, public protests, and media campaigns. This approach undermined the effectiveness of tripartite cooperation and collective bargaining. Additionally, there was a need for a more structured and accountable social dialogue process to ensure that the priorities of employers were adequately represented and addressed.
The development of the Mirror Rating Index was a key initiative, designed to monitor and compare the government''s activities with the priorities of employers. This tool aimed to provide a structured assessment of the government''s fulfilment of its Policy Statement and the NUE''s policy priorities. Regular reports were prepared to evaluate the government''s progress in meeting its priorities and the NUE''s priorities. These reports were discussed at the meetings of the Economic and Social Council of the Slovak Republic. A form was devised for presenting the success of social partners in promoting their interests to the public, akin to a government school report card. Additionally, a workshop was held with the Norwegian partner, Næringslivets Hovedorganisasjon (NHO), where valuable insights were shared regarding the building of social dialogue in Norway. Key inspirations included the Norwegian social dialogue ombudsman model, the assessment of pro-business attitudes of parliament members, and the regional aspects of social dialogue. The project also included communication efforts to inform the media and the public about the progress and outcomes of the social dialogue.
The creation of the Mirror Rating Index and the structured reporting process led to a more objective and evidence-based assessment of the government''s and NUE''s policy successes. This improvement in social dialogue processes benefited employers, trade unions, and the government by fostering a more collaborative and accountable environment. The project contributed to building higher mutual trust among social partners, which is crucial for effective tripartite cooperation. The exchange of best practices with the Norwegian partner provided valuable insights that NUE can capitalize on in the future. The tools and processes developed during the project, such as the Mirror Rating Index and the media presentation form, are of a sustainable nature and will be used by NUE in the long term. This ensures that the benefits of the project will continue beyond its initial implementation. The project built a dedicated team of analysts within NUE who are focused on evaluating social dialogue. This team is now better equipped to assess and promote NUE''s policies, which can inspire other business and trade union partners to adopt similar assessment methods. The tools and processes developed were positively received by NUE members, stakeholders, and social dialogue colleagues.
Summary of bilateral results
An important and inseparable part of the project activities was the exchange of experiences with the Norwegian counterpart in the field of policy-making, the NHO - Confederation of Norwegian Enterprise. A workshop was held with NHO, where valuable insights were shared regarding the building of social dialogue in Norway. Key inspirations included the Norwegian social dialogue ombudsman model, the assessment of pro-business attitudes of parliament members, and the regional aspects of social dialogue.