Social dialogue and tripartism

Effective social dialogue between governments, employers’ and workers’ organizations, and sound industrial relations, are means to promote social justice, inclusive economic growth, improved wages and working conditions and sustainable enterprises. As instruments of good governance at all levels from the local to the global, they foster an enabling environment for the realization of decent work for all.

Social dialogue includes:
  • Negotiation, consultation and information exchange between and among governments, employers’ and workers’ organizations;
  • Collective bargaining between employers/employers’ organizations and workers’ organizations;
  • Dispute prevention and resolution; and
  • Other approaches such as workplace cooperation, international framework agreements and social dialogue in the context of regional economic communities.
Preconditions for sound social dialogue:
  • Strong, independent and representative  employers' and workers’ organizations with the technical capacity to participate in social dialogue and access to relevant information;
  • Political will, trust and commitment to engage in social dialogue by all the parties;
  • Respect for the fundamental rights of freedom of association and effective recognition of the right to collective bargaining; and
  • An enabling legal and institutional framework.

Social dialogue and the Covid-19 crisis

  1. Covid 19 and Social Dialogue Portal

  2. Video

    How social dialogue is making a difference during the COVID-19 pandemic

  3. Video

    Social dialogue key to combating COVID-19

  4. Research Brief

    Social dialogue one year after the outbreak of Covid-19 pandemic: Spotlights on outcomes

  5. Policy brief

    The need for social dialogue in addressing the COVID-19 crisis

  6. Research brief

    Peak-level social dialogue as a governance tool during the COVID-19 pandemic: Global and regional trends and policy issues

  7. Q&A

    The role of social dialogue and the social partners in addressing the consequences of COVID-19 in the informal economy

  8. Policy brief

    Social dialogue on occupational safety and health in the Covid-19 context. Ensuring a safe return to work: Practical examples

  9. Spotlight COVID-19

    The role of social dialogue in formulating social protection responses to the COVID-19 crisis

  10. News

    Social dialogue crucial to tackling impact of COVID-19