Franz Thönnes, member of the German Bundestag and BSPC’s representative in the Steering Committee of the Baltic Sea Labour Network, took part in the Committee’s meeting in Helsinki on 31st March.
The BSLN Steering Committee advocates the establishment of a Forum for Social Dialogue in the Baltic Sea Region with the aim of influencing policy- and decision-making in the field of labour market relations, promoting transnational social dialogue, and networking and exchange of experience between the social partners and political institutions in the Baltic Sea Region. The Forum will assemble tripartite representatives from the countries in the Baltic Sea Region once a year in an Annual Round Table meeting.
The SC meeting also included a meeting with Russian stakeholders. “Well-functioning and fair labour markets are a key element in developing our welfare models in a fair and sustainable direction”, said Franz Thönnes. “North-West Russia is a very important part of the Baltic Sea Region, and that is why representatives from Russia have been invited to Helsinki to plan the future cooperation with us and to take part in the upcoming Forum for Social Dialogue.”