Topic portal
Social dialogue and tripartism
Effective social dialogue between governments, employers and workers’ organizations is essential for advancing social justice, fostering inclusive economic growth, improving wages and working conditions, and supporting sustainable enterprises. As a cornerstone of good governance, social dialogue creates the conditions necessary to achieve decent work for all while promoting social peace, stability, and effective labour market governance.
Social dialogue is instrumental in achieving several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including:
- SDG 8: Decent work and economic growth
- SDG 10: Reduced inequalities
- SDG 16: Peace, justice, and strong institutions
What is social dialogue?
Social dialogue includes all types of negotiation, consultation and exchange of information between or among representatives of governments, employers and workers on issues of common interest relating to economic and social policy.
Social dialogue is both a means to achieve social and economic progress and an end in itself, as it gives people a voice and a stake in their societies and workplaces. Central to the ILO’s mission, social dialogue is embedded in nearly all ILO Conventions and Recommendations and in the Decent Work Agenda. Many of these instruments explicitly require governments to ensure consultations with the social partners.
There is no universal model for social dialogue. Its success depends on adapting to the specific contexts of different countries, reflecting their unique needs and ensuring full ownership by the parties involved. While approaches may vary, the foundation of effective social dialogue rests on respecting, promoting and realizing the fundamental principles and rights at work, particularly freedom of association and the effective recognition of the right to collective bargaining.
87% of ILO Member States
have established a national social dialogue institution
Half of the world's workers
are not covered by any fundamental convention on freedom of association and collective bargaining
Key International Labour Standards related to social dialogue
Featured publications

ILO Flagship report
Social Dialogue Report 2024: Peak-level social dialogue for economic development and social progress

Policy Brief
Social Dialogue and the Sustainable Development Goals: An Essential Synergy for Human-Centred Development and Recovery

Policy brief
The Role of Social Dialogue and Tripartism in a Just Transition towards Environmentally Sustainable Economies and Societies for All

Flagship Report
Social Dialogue Report 2022: Collective bargaining for an inclusive, sustainable and resilient recovery
Most recent publications
ILO Flagship report
Social Dialogue Report 2024: Peak-level social dialogue for economic development and social progress
Social dialogue
Joint Declaration for "Improved and Harmonious National Industrial Relations System in Bangladesh"


Industrial relations
The Legal Database on Industrial Relations (IRLex)

IRLex provides detailed country profiles and legal texts on industrial relations across ILO Member States, offering accessible insights into legislative and institutional frameworks worldwide.

Cross-Border Social Dialogue
The Repository of Knowledge on Cross-Border Social Dialogue

This ILO repository gathers information on cross-border social dialogue among governments, workers, and employers, covering processes, contexts and outcomes beyond national borders.
Resources for governments and social partners
Publication
The self-assessment method for social dialogue institutions (SAM-SDI)

Guide
Voice Matters: Consultation (Industrial and National Levels) Recommendation, 1960 (No. 113)

107th Session of the International Labour Conference (2018)
Resolution concerning the second recurrent discussion on social dialogue and tripartism
Social dialogue trainings
The International Training Centre of the ILO (ITCILO) offers a wide range of online and face-to-face training activities on social dialogue and tripartism
Featured training courses

Free online course
Social dialogue and industrial relations: a self-guided induction course

Free online course
The 2030 Agenda, Decent Work and Social Dialogue

Free online course
Industrial Relations Toolkit
News and articles

Story
A Just Transition in the Making: The story behind East Kalimantan’s new Regional Consultation Forum

Video interview
Why Peak-Level Social Dialogue is key to advance decent work?
Contact us
The ILO supports Member States and constituents in enhancing their capacity to advocate for and promote effective and inclusive social dialogue and tripartism at all levels.
For more information or to reach out to our team and global network of experts, please contact us at dialogue@ilo.org.