On 3–4 June, a European Social Partners seminar entitled “Reinforcing the European Social Dialogue and Industrial Relations” took place in Berlin, Germany, bringing together representatives of trade unions and employers’ organisations from Germany, Finland, Lithuania and Malta.

The aim of the event was to discuss the state of social dialogue at both national and European levels, exchange good practices, and explore ways to strengthen collective bargaining and the capacity of social partners to represent the interests of workers and employers. The seminar also presented the latest achievements and initiatives of European social dialogue and discussed their implementation in the Member States.

Lithuania was represented by Dalia Jakutavičė, Acting Head of the Lithuanian Trade Union Confederation (LPSK), Jonas Januškevičius, International Secretary of LPSK, Aleksandras Posochovas, President of the Lithuanian Service Sector Workers’ Trade Union, and Tomas Maleckis, Board Member of the Lithuanian Industrial Trade Union Federation.

Together with social partners from other countries, the Lithuanian delegation discussed opportunities to strengthen social dialogue, promote collective bargaining, and address challenges related to workers’ representation at both national and European levels.

During separate sessions for trade unions and employers, participants analysed the functioning of national social dialogue structures, the current state of collective bargaining, capacity-building needs, and challenges related to the implementation of European social dialogue agreements and other instruments. Discussions also focused on how to involve social partners more effectively in decision-making processes and strengthen their role in shaping labour market and social policies.

Participants further explored ways to reinforce social dialogue systems, identified measures needed to enhance the capacities of social partners, and discussed which issues should be prioritised on national social dialogue agendas. The outcomes of these discussions were presented during a plenary session, where participants exchanged views and recommendations.

The seminar was organised by the main European social partner organisations: the European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC), BusinessEurope, SGI Europe, and SMEunited.