The project contributed to strenghten trade unions through research and provide a basis for including self-employed in social dialogue.
The membership level of Czech trade unions is steadily decreasing. These are still focusing mostly on representing employees working full time on the basis of employment contract, although the number of employees working under other types of contracts with lower labour legislative protection is increasing.
This project mapped the needs of the existing membership base through a survey, which also addressed non-union members with the aim to find the potential motivation for possible entry into trade union organisation. This information was provided to the trade unions through workshops and publications, and formed a basis for trade unions to prepare campaigns and attract different groups of workers.
In addition, the project linked trade unions with those working in new forms of employment. Trade unions were informed on needs and issues of those working in new forms of employment and became able to start addressing the problems of these workers as well. This could also gain new members to the trade unions.
The Norwegian partner was the independent social science research foundation FAFO, and an expert provided input through the national report which fed into a guideline and the capacity-building of the Czech trade unions.
Main activities included:
- surveys among existing and potential trade union members
- research and drafting of Czech and Norwegian national reports
- publication of a guideline for trade unions
- 2 workshops on the guideline
- printing of guideline in 100 copies and online publication
- organisation of a press conference