Nicaragua: Free trade zone tripartite commision: social dialogue in times of crisis

In times of crisis, social dialogue is a highly valuable tool with which to reach agreement in socioeconomic and labour-related decisions. Establishment of the Free Trade Zone Tripartite Commission of Nicaragua and achievement of the "Tripartite Economic and Labour Emergency Agreement in Free Trade Zones" aiming to contribute to preserving employment and labour stability, was not only useful in that sector but was also replicated in other areas affected by the crisis. Efforts to preserve minimum-wage purchasing power in the current crisis context, and to establish the increase for 2010, were designed to provide a foreseeable framework for such a major issue. The agreement on minimumwage adjustment was combined with other actions such as promotion of a working environment based on mutual respect and respect for labour rights, free agreement on working conditions ensuring working-day continuity or discontinuity, among others.