Social dialogue and collective bargaining in the hospital sector during the COVID-19 pandemic. New publication by notus staff

Eurofound has published the report ‘Social dialogue and collective bargaining in the hospital sector during the COVID-19 pandemic’ 

This report analyses the role of social dialogue and collective bargaining in addressing the challenges created or exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic in the hospital sector. It also explores whether existing social dialogue and collective bargaining processes at national level were adapted in order to address these new challenges. The research included a literature review to contextualise the structural features of the hospital sector and an analysis of policy initiatives to manage the crisis implemented across the EU27 and Norway. The findings indicate that the level and nature of the social partners’ involvement in pandemic responses varied across Europe. Social dialogue and collective bargaining played a prominent role in some countries, while in others the social partners were less involved. Although no substantial changes were identified in social dialogue institutions and processes, the breadth of issues they deal with expanded beyond the traditional areas of employment and working conditions.

The report was elaborated by Juan Arasanz (notus) and Pablo Sanz (notus)