International Labour Conference, 96th session

13.6.07, afternoon: High-level panel on Tripartism and Social Dialogue.
1. President Mr. Sulka: Introduces briefely the two guests: José Maria Cuevas, President of the Spanish Employers Federation and Ms. Fernández de Kirchner, Member of the Government of Argentina.
2. J.M. Cuevas: Scocial Dialogue between Labor Unions and Employers has led to many results in the last 30 years in Spain: More autonnomy has been given to the partys involved(less state interventionism), potential labor conflicts have been kept at low levels in times of political change or economic crisis, constant prices, competitiveness abroad, increase of the active population, economic grothw above EU levels. Three are the conditions that led to such results: Truly independent and representative workers and employers unions, a legal base for social dialogue and the acknowledgment of social dialogue by society. As there are many ways in whcih social dialogue can take place, the ILO plays a crucial role in a) guaranteeing strict application of thecore Conventions in the area of freedom of association and collective bargaining, b) providing technical cooperation in countries in order to help them to determinedynamic social dialogue policies and create institutionsfor consultation between the social partners and c) in helping to reform national legislations in order to facilitate social dialogue.
3. Worker panellist, Mr. Guy Ryder,General Secretary of the International Trade Union Confederation: In the practice there are national differences in the way social dialogue can take place, a size-fits all approach doesn't work: In some cases state interventionism is the only way to ensure workers benefits from rights. It is important to work on the subjective dimension: Once all participants feel that they can win social dialogue becomes possible. The right to strike, although unpleasant, remains a valid and modern option for labor unions.
4. Ms. D. De Kirchner: Social Dialogue is closely linked with democracy and with an economic model that is based on production and not on speculation. Argentina has experienced a period of low social dialogue in the 1990s , with forced liberalizations have led to high unemployment and a flexibilization of working conditions. Although there was high groth in reality the share was unequally divided, with labor being at the lower end. Since 2003 when President Kirchner became President unemployment has declined significantly to 8 percent, minimum wages increased by 300 percent whilst minimum pension has doubled.

LB