Social dialogue brings together representatives of employers and employees (the 'social partners') in a structured process for exchanging information and influencing EU legislation. The Europen Commission has a legal duty to consult the social partners on all employment-related proposals and the social partners can negotiate agreements which can be made legally binding.
This ability to negotiate agreements outside of the usual legislative cycle is particularly important, and can lead to common sense agreements without the need for political input.
The NHS European Office is a member, on behalf of the NHS, of two social partner organisations, the European Hospital and Healthcare Employers' Association (HOSPEEM) and the European Centre of Enterprises with Public Participation (CEEP). We are also members of the Partnership of Public Employers (PPE), the UK section of CEEP.
'Cross-industry' social dialogue
CEEP, as the representative body for public sector employers, is one of the intersectoral social partner organisations which participate in cross-industry social dialogue (together with representatives of private sector employers, small and medium size enterprises and the trade unions).
Cross-industry social dialogue covers the whole economy and labour market and looks at issues common to all fields of employment and social affairs. The results and standards adopted by the cross-industry social partners apply to businesses and workers across Europe. For example, the EU Directive on Parental Leave implements an agreement reached by the cross-industry social partners.
Known as CEEP UK until 2008, PPE is the voice of the UK public employers in Europe and represents employers of nearly 20% of the UK workforce covering essential services in health and social care, education, local and central administration and transport. They have produced a helpful guide on their current members and focus.
Social dialogue in the hospital and healthcare sector
Alongside the cross-industry social dialogue, there are a number of sectoral social dialogue committees, including for the hospital and healthcare sector, looking at employment-related issues of specific concern or particular importance for their sector. The hospital-sector social partners are HOSPEEM and the European Federation of Public Service Unions (EPSU).
Examples of the work of the social dialogue committee in the hospital and healthcare sector include the Code of Conduct for ethical cross-border recruitment and retention, the Directive on the prevention of injuries from sharps needles, and guidance on preventing third party violence in the workplace.
Why engage in social dialogue?
There are a number of benefits for the NHS from involvement in social dialogue, including:
- early sight of European Commission policy developments likely to affect the health sector;
- the opportunity to influence proposals at an early stage and take an active role in negotiations and discussions on issues important to the health sector across Europe;
- access to a platform for the exchange of information, good practice and learning experiences
At UK level, NHS Employers represents NHS organisations on workforce issues at the tri-partite Social Partnership Forum, which offers employers and workers, through the NHS trade unions, the opportunity to get involved in and influence the government's healthcare policies in relation to workforce.
PPE have compiled a briefing explaining more about the process of social dialogue and a full list of European social dialogue outcomes.