The Dutch consultation economy in perspective
10-2013 | Communications | SER: an introduction
Holland: man-made land
Social dialogue finds its roots in a long tradition of consultation and cooperationStep by step in 100 years much changeNetherlands now: top 5 best performing countries
10-2013 | Communications | SER: an introduction
Dutch consultation economy at three levels:
Company level: works councils- Consultation: on important issues for the direction and
future of the organisation - Approval: on labour-related issues: working hours,
health and safety, etc
Sector/company level: 500 collective labour agreements- Cover 80% of employees- Negotiation of wages and other benefits etc
National level: - Labour Foundation - Social and Economic Council
10-2013 | Communications | SER: an introduction
Social and Economic Council
Quick overview Established 1950 by law Advisory body to government and parliament Three groups, 33 members:
- employers (11)- employees /unions (11)- independent experts (11)
Secretariat of ca. 100 people; policy advisors and facility staff Financed via Chambers of Commerce
10-2013 | Communications | SER: an introduction
What does the SER do?
Platform function, agendasetting: Organise debate, involve social partners & wider groups in relevant policy issues, sharing of insights
Advisory task: Advising government and parliament on the outlines of social and economic policy
Self regulation: coordination and implementation of common issues (e.g. consumersrights; code of conduct in mergers; international corporate social responsibility CSR)
Execution of specific laws: mainly where it directly relates to the social partners (e.g. work councils)
10-2013 | Communications | SER: an introduction
Shared view on goals
Mission statementSER aims to help create social consensus on national and international socio-economic issues: creating common ground
Guiding principle: Broad concept of prosperity Material progress (i.e., increased affluence and production)Social progress (i.e., improved welfare and social cohesion)High-quality environment in which to live (i.e.,
environmental and spatial factors)
Three main objectives, explicitly formulatedEconomic growth and sustainable development The highest possible level of employment and participationA fair distribution of income
10-2013 | Communications | SER: an introduction
Broad agenda
Some issues addressed in advisory projects:Macro-economic state of the NetherlandsInnovation and productivity issuesSocial security arrangementsFunctioning of the labour marketLabour conditions, health & safety issuesEducation, links to labour marketEmployee participation Health care systemEuropean policies Sustainable development/energy policies
….. Always from a socio-economic angle!
10-2013 | Communications | SER: an introduction
How does the SER work? Advice: on request or at its own initiative
Preparation in committees (standing or ad hoc)
Common analysis of problems/issues, important groundwork
Involvement of ‘outsiders’, outreach to larger society
Consultation with rank-and-file
Public meetings of the council
Strive for unanimity, but advisory reports may be divided
Duration between 6 months – 1 year, speeding up
10-2013 | Communications | SER: an introduction
Impact, relation to government/politics Politics in the Netherlands: coalitions always needed
Many parties, volatile in election outcomes
SER can foster stability by ‘creating common ground’Best done by giving unanimous advice: have to deliver!Then highly influential, no formal powerAdvice is often followed up and implemented
Close relations with government/civil servants‘Organic’ process, not dropping advice when finished
Pitfalls/criticism: undemocratic? Partial interests? Representative enough?
10-2013 | Communications | SER: an introduction
What are the conditions for success?
Social partners wanting to work together &Political will and social acceptance to listen and seek advice
More process than structure! respect for each others’ position long-term orientation (not just one-off deals) create an environment of mutual trust Invest in (personal) relations stick to agreements, commitment to
longer-term agreements with other parties Hard work, not easy! Only as good as the last advice
10-2013 | Communications | SER: an introduction