The letter follows the announcement by the European Commission, on 25 January 2023, of a review of the rules on the organisation of the European Sectoral Social Dialogue Committees. 

At the same time, the European Commission published a communication to further strengthen and promote social dialogue with actions at the national and EU levels, renewing its strong commitment to social dialogue as a cornerstone of the EU social market economy and its competitiveness.

In the open letter addressed to Vice-President Dombrovskis and Commissioner Schmit, European Sectoral Social Partners’ organisations expressed appreciation that the January communication considered some of the concerns expressed during the many hearings and consultations held during 2022 among the social partners.

However, they noted that communication needs to propose solutions regarding the future organisation and financing of sectoral social dialogue committees.

Social partners expected that the Commission would maintain its logistical and financial support for the sectoral social dialogue committees and strengthen their political support. Their grave concerns about alternative approaches to the organisation of sectoral social dialogue committees were also made clear, particularly the idea of multi-annual 'project-based' funding. They underlined that this option would not allow the social partners to adapt theirinitiatives to a fast-changing environment and to define efficient planning of their work programme, and that an allocation of funds based on the foreseen outcome of the social dialogue would lead to less autonomy of the social partners, devaluing social dialogue at the European level, in contrast to the European Commission's announcement.

The letter concludes with a plea to ensure the necessary financial and political support to the sectoral social partners, considering that social dialogue is a political priority of the European Commission.