50 NGOs benefit from EU-funded training on enhancing stakeholder participation in social dialogue

50 NGOs benefit from EU-funded training on enhancing stakeholder participation in social dialogue, a government statement read.

Public dialogue and seeing the active contribution of social partners and civil society in the development of policies is key for healthy and fair decision making, Minister within the Office of the

Prime Minister responsible for Social Dialogue Carmelo Abela and Parliamentary Secretary for European Funds Stefan Zrinzo Azzopardi said in a seminar organised by the Malta EU Steering Action Committee (MEUSAC).

In his address, Minister Carmelo Abela remarked that the Government is looking at ways on how to improve the quality of social dialogue. He emphasised the essential role of social dialogue in tackling the challenges linked to the labour market and to social developments. He added that social dialogue is a fundamental aspect of a good social market economy, enhancing economic prosperity and social well-being. In his own words, “social dialogue is crucial to the competitiveness and fairness of our economies, and to the protection of our way of life”.

Minister Carmelo Abela thanked MEUSAC for their ongoing work in exploring ways on how to strengthen the capacity of various organisations within Maltese society so that they are engaged in the discussions on key EU legislative proposals and policies.

Parliamentary Secretary Stefan Zrinzo Azzopardi remarked that the project ENGAGE was spread over a two-year period, in which more than 50 non-governmental organisations and social partners benefited from technical expertise on how to participate actively in national and European fora.

Parliamentary Secretary Zrinzo Azzopardi added that this project supported two key actions, where it offered training to MEUSAC employees in order to improve existent services, while the organisations also benefitted from seminars tackling particular subjects in relation to social dialogue.

Focusing on the strengthening of public dialogue, Project ENGAGE has provided MEUSAC staff with training on topics related to their role in assisting stakeholders in the social dialogue process. At today’s closing half-day seminar, the project consisted of three work packages, these being stakeholder engagement analysis, strengthening engagement capacities and capacity building for increased/improved stakeholder participation.