Global Social Partners’ Academy
Employers’ organizations prepare to navigate emerging labour market trends through collective bargaining
Representatives from Employer and Business Membership Organizations (EBMOs) in Moldova, Montenegro, and Serbia participated in the Global Social Partners’ Academy from November 25 to 29, 2024 at the ITCILO in Turin, Italy. The Academy focused on emerging issues and innovations in collective bargaining, addressing topics critical to today’s labour markets.
6 February 2025
BUDAPEST (ILO News) - This intensive face-to-face programme, developed and delivered jointly by the ILO Employers’ Activities Programme (ACT/EMP) and Workers’ Activities Programme (ACTRAV), was preceded by a four-week online learning module.
The Academy focused on emerging issues and innovations in collective bargaining, addressing topics critical to today’s labour markets. One key topic of the training was green collective bargaining, exploring how sustainability initiatives can be incorporated into workplace agreements to achieve alignment with global environmental goals. Equally important was the focus on telework and hybrid work arrangements, with discussions exploring strategies to maintain productivity and engagement in increasingly flexible work environments. A discussion of reskilling, particularly in the context of an aging workforce, emphasized the urgent need for lifelong learning programmes to allow employees to adapt to and thrive in rapidly evolving industries. Inextricably linked to this is the transformative impact of technology, especially artificial intelligence and algorithmic management. The examination of this topic offered insights into managing the influence of technology on labour relations, productivity, and fairness.
Interactive sessions, including role-play exercises, simulation games, and expert-led panels, provided participants with hands-on opportunities to refine their negotiation skills, explore creative solutions to complex challenges, and prepare to apply theoretical knowledge to real-life scenarios. The diverse, international group fostered an atmosphere of shared learning, enabling participants to gain broader perspectives on collective bargaining practices across varying cultural and economic contexts.
The Academy underscored the critical importance of social dialogue and collective bargaining in advancing sustainable and adaptable labour markets, and the central role of EBMOs in this process. Participants left the Academy equipped with innovative strategies and the confidence to advocate for fair, inclusive, and forward-looking collective labour agreements tailored to their respective national and organizational contexts.
Following the completion of the course, three participants were asked to share their thoughts on the Academy, and the ways in which they will apply what they have learned to better represent their members’ interests.
“The Global Social Partners’ Academy widened my perspective on collective bargaining by equipping me with innovative strategies and insights to address emerging labour market trends more effectively. The emphasis on integrating sustainability into workplace agreements was particularly inspiring, motivating us to encourage our member companies to align labour practices with environmental objectives—a crucial step for EU market competitiveness. Additionally, the Academy enhanced my negotiation and problem-solving skills, empowering me to bring greater innovation to my organization.”
Filip Lazovic, Deputy Secretary General, Montenegrin Employers Federation
“The Academy provided invaluable insights into the labour market impact of technological advancements, including artificial intelligence, emphasizing the need to balance innovation with fairness in collective labour agreements. The sessions on upskilling and workforce adaptation were highly relevant to these developments. Engaging with peers from different countries broadened my understanding of how trust and collaboration can be fostered in collective bargaining, which is a critical factor for success.”
Vladislav Caminschi, Executive Director, National Confederation of Employers of the Republic of Moldova
“This training came at the perfect time, as we are about to start discussions on a new general collective agreement. The programme provided me with essential knowledge and skills to enhance the ability of my organisation to negotiate effectively. It reinforced the critical role of thorough preparation in order to have relevant data atto hand during the negotiations. This experience will undoubtedly contribute to our achieving better outcomes from collective bargaining.”
Svetlana Budimcevic, Head of Department for Legal Affairs and Social Dialogue, Serbian Association of Employers