Multi-sector agreement

Multi-sector agreements are agreements covering several sectors. They are negotiated and signed by the European social partners representing the respective sectors. Multi-sector agreements result from autonomous social dialogue at EU level and they are negotiated through the procedures of the European social partners. They are an outcome of the European social dialogue via Articles 154-155 TFEU.

Multi-sector agreements represent a progress in the European sectoral social dialogue and also make an important contribution to the European social model. They can be considered a new type of European collective agreement.

The first European multi-sector agreement was signed in April 2006. The members of the multi-sectoral Negotiation Platform on Silica (NePSi) signed the multi-sector ‘Agreement on workers’ health protection through the good handling and use of crystalline silica and products containing it’. The agreement covers more than two million workers in different sectors of the economy across Europe and aims to reduce workers’ exposure to crystalline silica dust by promoting good practice measures in the workplace. Several European industry federations signed the agreement, including: the European Mine, Chemical and Energy Workers’ Federation (EMCEF), the European Metalworkers’ Federation (EMF), the European Industrial Minerals Association (IMA), the European Association of Mining Industries (Euromines) and 13 other European employer organisations.

See also: collective agreements; voluntary agreements.