Social dialogue

Tripartism and social dialogue are integral components of the Decent Work Agenda of the ILO and essential channels for achieving it. Successful social dialogue structures and processes have the potential to resolve important economic and social issues, encourage good governance, advance social and industrial peace and stability and boost corporate profits in the chemicals industry.

First and foremost, social dialogue is built on respect for and implementation of freedom of association. Where there is an absence of full respect for freedom of association, the social dialogue process will lack legitimacy, and hence cannot be sustainable. Freedom of association is a multi-faced concept, based on core labour standards, and includes:

• the right of workers and employers to form and join organizations of their own choosing, and to do so without prior authorization;
  
• the free functioning of those organizations;
  
• the right to elect representatives in full freedom;
  
• the right of organizations to organize their internal administration;
  
• the right of organizations freely to organize their activities and to formulate their programmes;
  
• the right to strike;
  
• the right to form federations and confederations and affiliate to international organizations of workers and employers;
  
• protection against anti-union discrimination;
  
• protection against acts of interference; and
  
• the right to be bargain collectively.
  

The ILO has adopted a broad working definition of social dialogue, reflecting the wide range of processes and practices found in different countries. Its working definition includes all types of negotiation, consultation or simply exchanges of information among representatives of government, employers and workers, on issues of common interest relating to economic and social policy.

Social partners in the chemicals industry lead in promoting global sectoral social dialogue. Global Framework Agreements (GFAs) are an example. GFAs have now been negotiated in the chemicals, oil, chemical, energy, rubber and paper sectors. GFAs do not supplant collective bargaining at a particular worksite, but rather assure that high standards are consistently met regarding human rights, trade union rights and health, safety, environmental practices wherever a company has operations.

In addition, trade unions in the chemicals industry have developed another important global social dialogue instrument in addition to GFAs: union networks within major multinational companies in the sectors. An ICEM Global Corporate Network is primarily a means of communication for those working for the same employer across the world, and for their trade unions, allowing them to cooperate and coordinate activities.

Useful links/resources

• Social Dialogue, Labour Law and Labour Administration Branch, ILO
  
• Convention No. 87 Freedom of Association and Protection of the Right to Organise Convention, 1948
  
• Convention No. 98 Right to Organise and Collective Bargaining Convention, 1949