Thanks to the system of European social dialogue (as set by the articles 138 and 139 of the Treaty establishing the European Community) the organizations committed to the representation of both workers and employers are directly involved in all labor negotiations and legislation through a mechanism of continuous consultation. A distinction can be made to distinguish between cross-sectorial and sectorial dialogue: The former covers a specific labour issue, such as safety or working time, affecting all the different industry areas, and has therefore a more generalist approach and a stronger political meaning. The latter refers to a specific sector, dealing with more technical and category-related issues.

Both forms of social dialogue have contributed greatly to the establishment and the reinforcement of the European social model. In fact, they not only provide a permanent institutional framework for discussion and dialogue between social forces, which helps reduce frictions and prevent harsh social confrontation, but they also represent a powerful “soft law” instrument that has produced more than 300 legally-binding agreements.
 
For more information, visit the European Commission website  or download the Commission brochure on the European Social Dialogue.