Some milestones of the European Social Dialogue

2024
  • Tripartite Declaration for a thriving European Social Dialogue
2023
  • Breakdown of negotiations for a Framework Agreement on Telework and the Right to Disconnect
2022
  • Adoption of the 7th Work Programme of the European social partners (2022-2024)
2020
  • Adoption of the Autonomous Agreement on Digitalisation
2019
  • Adoption of the 6th Work Programme of the European social partners (2019-2021)
2017
  • Adoption of the Autonomous Agreement on Active ageing and an Intergenerational Approach
2016
  • Quadripartite statement signed by the European social partners, the European Commission and the Council on A New Start for a Strong Social Dialogue
2015
  • Adoption of the 5th Work Programme of the European social partners (2015-2017)
2013
  • Adoption of a Framework of Actions on Youth Employment
2012
  • Adoption of the 4th Work Programme of the European social partners (2012-2014)
2010
  • Adoption of Framework agreement on Inclusive Labour Markets
  • Prolongation of the 3rd Work Programme for a period of one year (covering 2011)
2009
2007
  • Adoption of the Autonomous Agreement on Harassment and Violence at Work
2006
  • 2nd multi-annual Work Programme (2006–2008) of the European social partners
2005
  • Adoption of the Framework of Actions on Gender Equality
2004
  • Adoption of the Autonomous Agreement of Work-related Stress
2002
  • Failure of the negotiations on temporary agency work
  • Adoption of the 1st Framework of Actions for the Lifelong development of competencies and qualifications
  • Adoption of the 1st autonomous multi-annual Work Programme (2003–2005) of the European social partners
  • Adoption of the Telework 'Autonomous' Agreement (first agreement to be implemented not by a directive but by the social partners within the national context: these agreements are called 'autonomous')
1999
1997
1995
  • Following the entry into force of the Maastricht Treaty (1993), the social partners negotiate and adopt the 1st ever concluded framework agreement on parental leave – incorporated into Directive 96/34/EC of 3 June 1996
1991

UNICE, ETUC and CEEP adopted a joint contribution to the Maastricht Treaty, calling for:

  • mandatory consultation of the EU social partners on Commission proposals in the area of social affairs, and
  • an option for negotiation between social partners to lead to framework agreements.

This joint text which structured a social dialogue dynamic with a contractual dimension was first enshrined in the Agreement on Social Policy, annexed to the Maastricht Treaty.

1985
  • 'Val Duchesse' process: launch of the bipartite dialogue on the initiative of Jacques Delors (then president of the European Commission).
  • The social partners start the adoption of joint opinions