Study on 'Improving collective bargaining in Europe' - EESC-FSA-2023-03

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<b><i>Please note that this is not a call for tenders but a publication announcing the Contracting authority’s <a href="https://www.eesc.europa.eu/sites/default/files/files/en_4_fr2018_etendering_ex-ante_pub_22.docx" target="_blank">intention to publish a future negotiated low or middle value procedure. </a> </i></b> <p> Collective bargaining, understood as a process of negotiation between independent trade unions and employers (or employers' organisations) to define terms and conditions of employment and relations between the parties, is a fundamental part of labour relations. As a fundamental piece of the European Social Model, well-functioning collective bargaining is a priority of the Workers' Group, the European Economic and Social Committee, and the European Union at large. <br></br> However, the figures of collective bargaining coverage vary widely across EU countries, and has in some cases declined over time or stagnated. Many factors have been identified as possible causes: from actions of the EU institutions in the most recent economic and financial crisis, to obstacles to exercising related fundamental rights and union-busting practices, to changes in employment structure (from manufacturing to services), globalisation of markets, disruption caused by new management and algorithmic technologies, and the rise of non-standard forms of employment.<br></br> It is against this diverse background that the EESC Workers' Group is launching a study to better understand the underlying reasons and find concrete policy answers to strengthen collective bargaining in Europe. <br></br> The main research focus of this study will be to understand why some countries in the EU have low or very low levels of collective bargaining coverage, see further details under Languages/geographical area below. The second main goal, once the main reasons for the low levels of collective bargaining coverage have been established, is to propose policy recommendations based on the findings to promote collective bargaining in an effective manner, explaining which factors would need to change and how. This should include not just direct legal provisions, but also institutional changes, as well as recommendations for the trade unions involved, and should consider, amongst others, dimensions such as trade union membership, transition to democracies, limits to the right to strike, barriers to collective bargaining, union busting practices, disagreements at employer level on centralised bargaining, as well as the scope and level of collective bargaining. <br></br> The successful tenderer shall also provide publishable national reports for each country analysed. <br></br> <b>Languages/geographical area</b> <br></br> The study should be carried out in English and cover at least 8 of the following 14 countries: Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Estonia, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Poland, Romania and Slovakia. <br></br><b>Indicative timeline</b> <br></br> 1) Launch of the invitation to tender: <i>3rd quarter 2023.</i><br> 2) Contract award: <i>early 4th quarter 2023.</i><br> 3) The final study report is expected <i>within 11 months following the signature of the contract.</i><br> 4) Deadline for submission of tenders: <i>approximately 3rd quarter 2023.</i> </p>