Green and digital: launch of twin transition project

A twin green and digital transition has been identified as a priority for the European Union. “Social dialogue, information, consultation and participation of workers and their representatives at different levels (including company and sectoral level) play an important role in shaping economic transitions and fostering workplace innovation, in particular with a view to the ongoing twin transitions and the changes in the world of work,” explains the European pillar of social rights action plan.

To deliver on this, UNI Europa has launched a 2-year EU funded project “Make twin transition – how to enhance the social dialogue on the twin transition in the Commerce sector”. As part of the project, a toolkit with guidance and recommendations for unions on how to shape the green and digital transition in the commerce sector will be produced.

The project also aims to make sure that the twin transition brings clear benefits for employers, workers, in terms of new job opportunities, increased productivity, improvements in working conditions and new ways of organizing work.

While the project focuses on 4 target Countries – Italy, Hungary, Sweden and the Netherlands – the toolkit, to be finalized in 2024, will be addressed to all European Affiliates, as well to social partners and key stakeholders in the commerce sector. This support material will encourage, guide and assist employers, workers and their representatives.

Following the first meeting of the project Steering Group on 24 October, an online survey will soon be launched asking unions affiliates to UNI’s Commerce sector to provide information on existing experiences, as well as  challenges and strategies, on social dialogue and collective agreements dealing with twin transition aspects. The results of the survey, together with experts’ policy brief, will be presented in an overview report to be used as a basis for a series of national workshops in the target countries planned in Spring 2023. During the workshops, participants will exchange good practices and provide the input needed to start drafting the toolkit.

The project activities will contribute to raise awareness and improve the understanding of employers, workers and their representatives of the risks, opportunities and challenges in the world of work resulting from the green and digital transition. At the same time, the key message of the project is that social dialogue is an integral part of the future policy-making process.