The project aimed to improve working conditions in the mining sector by enhancing social dialogue and increasing awareness about decent work issues. The project sought to create a favourable environment for decent work by leveraging the best practices from Norway.
The main objectives of the project were to set up a favourable environment for decent work topics, such as providing decent pay, high health and safety standards, fair competition, equal treatment, and a non-discriminatory environment for every person and job position. The project also aimed to increase awareness of the importance of social dialogue to facilitate the establishment of decent working conditions in the mining sector. Additionally, the project focused on training professional staff, including company health and safety officers, staff from labour inspectorates, and social partner institutions, on decent work issues. An essential part of the project was the exchange of knowledge and experience from Norway on tripartite consultation, work-life balance, gender equality, and non-discrimination.
The project activities included a kick-off meeting to establish the project milestones and schedule the program agenda, a training course with Norwegian and Bulgarian experts in Sofia, and two national training courses for social partners in areas of Bulgaria where the mining sector and social dialogue are fragile. These training courses focused on sharing experience and best practices from Norway and setting up a favourable environment in Bulgaria for implementing better practices. The project also involved preparing a publication and video on the decent working agenda in Bulgaria, a raising awareness campaign, and a final conference to promote the project results.