Extensive empirical literature indicates that collective bargaining and social dialogue are a prerequisite for a different, more viable model for addressing the challenges of technological change in a globalised and competitive environment. This project intends to analyse how different Industrial relations systems and different outcomes in the world of work may help to foster equality at work and cross-country convergence within the European Union. The research will define indicators of economic and social convergence. The European Pillar of Social Rights provides a scoreboard of social convergence indicators (SCI), from where to choose or to integrate with national data. The framework of relevant indicators will provide the basis for statistical or qualitative analysis, depending on data availability, in order to collect evidence on the impact of IRs on such SCIs. The research will focus on Italy. As a follow up, its results could be used for a comparative analysis, thanks to similar research that will be carried on in a number of European countries.
The value added in this project will come from the capacity to analyse these different aspects in combination with each other as it often happens in collective bargaining. This comprehensive approach is essential to properly grasping the impact of different industrial relations mechanisms, trends and contents in multiple but complementary areas and in a cross-borders dimension.
An overview of industrial relations systems/arrangements/mechanisms/actors that may have positive effects on equality at work in different areas of the world of work. The results may strengthen the actors¿ knowledge and capacities to promote industrial relations able to generate, notably through the identification of optimal industrial relations mechanisms/arrangements, more equitable working conditions.