On March 6, 2024, the three-day SOLID exchange visit in Brussels began, marking an enriching start to the program. The delegation, consisting of employers and trade union representatives from Tunisia, Algeria, Morocco, Palestine, Jordan, and Lebanon, visited two prominent Belgian companies: Vandeveldelingerie and FIB Belgium S.A. These visits provided the opportunity for insightful discussions with managers and employees, allowing the delegation to learn about the companies’ working methods and exchange ideas on social dialogue practices within Belgian workplaces. This exchange of perspectives created a valuable learning experience for both sides, fostering new approaches to enhancing social dialogue in the workplace.
On the second day, the delegation split into two groups to engage in specialized discussions. Employers met with organizations such as VBO FEB and BusinessEurope, where they had crucial conversations on effective social dialogue strategies and precedents. Meanwhile, trade union representatives met with the FGTB and ETUC, gaining valuable insights into best practices for fostering social dialogue within the Belgian context. After these separate sessions, both groups reconvened to visit the “Conseil National du Travail Belge”, where they continued exploring ways to strengthen dialogue between social partners.
The final day of the reciprocal visits took place at the headquarters of the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC), where the SOLID delegation engaged in three significant meetings. Participants met with the European Labour Authority (ELA), the European Centre for the Development of Vocational Training (Cedefop), and Eurofound. During these meetings, the delegation discussed innovative ideas and shared best practices in labor, vocational training, and workforce development in Europe, while also comparing these practices with those in the project countries.
This exchange was a rich and fruitful experience for all involved. The insights gained throughout the visit-deepened participants’ understanding of social dialogue, and the shared practices will continue to inspire future collaboration. The second part of these exchange visits will take place in Jordan during the month of May 2024.
