Bilateral bodies

Coverage extends to several sectors, although bilateral bodies are more common in certain fields, such as the craft sector.

This involves the establishment of welfare institutions to improve income support for workers during involuntary periods of unemployment (i.e. higher allowance, wider coverage). It also involves national monitoring of data on health and safety in the workplace and a national fund to finance supplementary health insurance. Some bilateral bodies include training in their mission, and aim to support training at company level within the sector in question. This is most notably done on the basis of joint plans for competence development.

The concept of ‘bilateralism' means a moment of social dialogue and social concertation between the social partners, for the effective management of the labour market.

Employers' or employees' organisations
Established by collective bargaining; contributions made by employers' associations and trade unions.

National government
Established by collective bargaining; contributions made by employers' associations and trade unions

Social partners (jointly)

In some sectors, such as crafts and construction, bilateral bodies play a fundamental role in supplying the following supports: income support measures; supplementary health insurances; systems to monitor sectoral labour market and professional needs; health and safety measures; training programmes; and inspections regarding health and safety conditions.