In December 2015, the first year of implementation of the Tourism is People project ended. Within the programme of activities, prepared for the purpose of this project, the project partners made a working visit to Brussels.
Apart from the ordinary matters related to reporting by partners on carrying out the activities, the purpose of our visit was taking part at the meeting of the HORECA (Hotel, Restaurant and Catering) sectoral social dialogue committee. HORECA brings together those employer and trade union organisations in tourism and hospitality industry, which are members of the European employer and trade union organisations at a higher level (HOTREC and EFFAT).
The HORECA sectoral social dialogue committee meets three times a year to address the issues concerning corporate social responsibility, education and lifelong learning, undeclared work and youth. Currently, the focus is on the topical issues related to the EU skills passport, undeclared or illegal work of trainees and corporate social responsibility.
At its meeting held on 4 December 2015, the Committee discussed practically all the topics that it is required to cover. The items on the agenda included those related to qualifications and training, the issues of shadow economy, health and safety at work, youth employment and the refugee issue. Furthermore, the latest activities of the European Commission were presented referring to the legislative initiatives in the field of tourism and hospitality.
One of the items on the agenda was intended to introduce our project. We were able to present to the wider European public the purpose and objectives of the Tourism is People project.
Attending the Committee meeting was one of the more significant project activities for the project partners. For most of them, that was the first opportunity to see and experience the sectoral social dialogue at EU level. We are certain that such experience will be useful for the promotion of social dialogue at the national level.
With financial support by the European Union.