Football stakeholders gather in Slovakia to strengthen national social dialogue

• The European Sectoral Social Dialogue for Professional Football facilitates joint labour actions through the European football stakeholders representing employers and workers
• European social dialogue refers to discussions, negotiations and joint labour actions involving organisations representing the two sides of industry: employers and workers
• Discussions focused on national standard contract enhancement, NDRC reform and a forthcoming MoU between league, clubs and player union

European football stakeholders joined national football representatives this week in Bratislava, Slovakia, for a meeting of the European Union Social Dialogue Committee for Professional Football.

Representatives from UEFA, FIFPRO Europe, European Football Clubs, and European Leagues met with domestic stakeholders including the Slovakian player union UFP, the Slovak Football Association, Slovak Union of League Clubs (ULK) and top flight clubs such as MSK Zilina and Spartak Trnava, to talk about industry concerns and the role of social partner dialogue in addressing these.

Discussions focused on key issues such as the enhancement of the national standard contract, the drafting of a new pioneering trilateral MoU between the social dialogue partners, as well as the review of the National Dispute Resolution Chamber procedures in compliance with national law and new FIFA standards.

"We truly appreciate that this important meeting took place in Slovakia and value the constructive approach of all parties involved," said Branislav Bolech, Secretary General of Slovakian player union UFP. "Bringing together all key national and European football stakeholders represents an essential step towards building a more professional and fair football environment."

European social dialogue refers to discussions, negotiations and joint labour actions involving organisations representing the two sides of industry: employers and workers. FIFPRO Europe represents the interests of players in the continent, while the division’s members have also been involved in social dialogue at domestic level.

European Union Social Dialogue Committee for Professional Football

• UEFA: Committee Chair
• FIFPRO Europe: Social partner (employees)
• EFC & European Leagues: Social partners (employers)

"We believe that the outcomes of this dialogue will help improve working conditions, strengthen mutual trust among all stakeholders, and set higher standards for football in our country,” said Bolech. "The player union remains fully committed to constructive cooperation with the FA and league, and to ensuring that players’ rights are respected in line with European and national law, as well as FIFA standards."

SFZ General Secretary Peter Palencik said: "We are very pleased that we could organise a social dialogue between European and national partners. It was a good meeting and a useful exchange of opinions, allowing us to hear perspectives on matters that the association deals with also from the standpoint of other European countries."