Challenges and a new approach to social dialogue in the metal industry in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic

2026-07-22

In the EU, the metal industry represents 200 000 companies with some 14 million employees. It makes up the largest industrial sector in Europe in terms of both jobs and added value. The COVID-19 pandemic has caused significant and growing economic impacts on the European metal sector, caused by major demand reduction in key value chains, supply disruptions and transport difficulties. The sector also faced one more challenge - the production process involving large groups of people cannot be stopped quickly without economic or physical damage (example: a closed aluminum smelter will require between € 200 and € 400 million to restart according to data of Eurometaux, and in the steel industry, the shut-off furnaces cannot be restarted). The nature of production (of steel and non-ferrous metals) under normal conditions imposes strict order and high responsibilities for the organization and management of all processes and in particular for Occupational health and safety. In this regard the metal industry as one of the sectors most affected by the COVID-19 crisis has the economic and moral responsibility to learn the lessons and be ready in the future to get through crisis situations, preserving its competitiveness, sustainability and last but not least its workforce. Central role for this can play the social dialogue. In this context the project will bring together for discussions, research and exchange of experience and good practices the social partners in the metal industry from 4 EU countries ( BG, RO, FR and IT, where the production of non-ferrous metals has a significant industrial presence) and 2 Candidate countries (RS and MK, which are still facing major challenges regarding the restructuring in the metal sector and transposition of the European legislation) in order to strengthen their capacity to pursue social dialogue.

Bulgaria

2025-10-15