Six countries presented their final reports on the impact of the economic crisis on the industrial relations system TEPAV presented the national report on the economic crisis impact on industrial relations national system in Sofia, Bulgaria, on November 15-16, 2012.

SOFIA – As part of the project titled “The Economic Crisis Impact on Industrial Relations National Systems: Policy Responses as Key Recovery Tools”, participants from six countries (Turkey, Bulgaria, Poland, Croatia, Estonia and the FYR of Macedonia) came together in Sofia for the Closing and Dissemination Meeting of the Project during November 15-16, 2012 to present their national research reports.

TEPAV director Ms. Sibel Güven presented the Turkish report, outlining Turkish experience based on historical evidence reinforced by insights gained from the meetings held with the government representatives, workers’ and employers’ organizations, as well as a national debate held in Ankara at TEPAV premises on October 16, 2012. The presentation provided a brief overview of the current industrial relations system and outlined several examples of social dialogue during the crisis period on national, cross-sectoral and company levels.

Ms. Sibel Güven also participated in a concluding discussion session in which the major trends and deviations in industrial relations and social dialogue during the economic crisis were evaluated and lessons for the future were drawn.

Apart from TEPAV, five other partner organizations also presented the results of their national research. The final product of the project will be a consolidated report of related research from Turkey, Bulgaria, Poland, Croatia, Estonia and the FYR of Macedonia.

The leader of the project is the Center for Economic Development (CED, Bulgaria), partner organizations of the project are the Center for Research and Policy Making (the FYR of Macedonia), Euro College of University of Tartu (Estonia), Confederation of Trade Unions (Bulgaria), Institute for Public Affairs (Poland), Institute for International Relations (Croatia) and Economic Policy Research Foundation of Turkey (TEPAV). The project is financed by the DG Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion.