As we previously reported, 32 European Sectoral Social Partners organisations wrote a joint letter to the European Commission. They expressed serious concerns regarding the review of the rules on financing the European Sectoral Social Dialogue Committees. The letter also requested for necessary financial and political support to the sectoral social partners, considering social dialogue is a political priority of the European Commission.

In response, the European Parliament adopted on 1 June 2023, a resolution on strengthening social dialogue (2023/2536(RSP)) by 483 votes to 38, with 100 abstentions.

The resolution states that social dialogue is crucial for a balanced European labour market. Social partners have a pivotal role in managing the crisis and mitigating its negative economic and social consequences. Hence, it must be protected to let social partners regulate themselves autonomously.

The resolution highlights that social dialogue, including collective bargaining, is a central and beneficial tool for a well-functioning social market economy which contributes to economic and social resilience, competitiveness, stability, sustainable and inclusive growth, and development. The European Parliament emphasises that countries with robust frameworks for social dialogue and high collective bargaining coverage have more competitive, inclusive, and resilient economies because social partners have a crucial role in managing the crisis and mitigating its negative economic and social consequences.

It emphasizes, however, that further efforts are needed to provide sustainable solutions for organising and financing sectoral social dialogue committees. The European Parliament urges the Commission to respect social partners' autonomy. Equally, it calls on the Commission to support and monitor sectoral social dialogue to ensure alignment between committees, and to make a significant contribution to EU policies.

The resolution urged the Commission to maintain its "logistical support for sectoral social dialogue committees" and increase its "financial, legal and political support”.

The EU Parliament also calls for the Commission and the Member States to work towards reaching collective bargaining coverage of at least 80 per cent by 2030, as the share of workers covered by collective agreements has declined significantly over the past 30 years, dropping from about 66 per cent in 2000 to about 56 per cent in 2018.