Category: Event

Lets Talk about DRC

International Council of Swedish Industry (NIR) arranges member events called “Lets Talk about…” where members of the International Council of Swedish Industry meet, inspire, discuss and solve sustainability matters. One of the richest countries in natural resources, the DRC ( Democratic Republic of the Congo) is a force to be reckoned with. The DRC is […]

Anti-corruption webinar with IMM and NIR

Many of NIR’s members chose to participate when NIR & IMM co-arranged a webinar with anti-corruption expert José R Hernandez of Ortus Strategies as guest speaker. The spread of the coronavirus has brought with it unprecedented challenges and uncertainty. For businesses priorities have shifted and the path forward leads into uncharted territory. At the same […]

NIR participate at Sida Development Forum 2017

During the Sida Development Forum 2017 on October 19 NIR Programme Manager Petter Ejhed, partcipated in the panel “Social Dialogue as a tool for Democarcy” together with Sofia Svingby , ‎Vice President Corporate Responsibility, Atlas Copco, Mats Svesson, International Secretary, IF Metall, and Gun Eriksson Skoog , Senior Policy Specialist, Sida. The panel discussed the SWHAP programme […]

NIR sign MoU in Kharkiv, Ukraine

NIR CEO Jonas Borglin participated at the annual International Economic Forum in Kharkiv on 22 September. The programme included a signing of a MoU with the regional authorities in Ukraine’s second largest city on cooperation on business climate improvement and promotion of international and local private sector investment. For NIR the visit includeded discussions with […]

Launch: Management in Complex Environments

8 November NIR’s major initiative Management in Complex Environments is soon to hit a milestone with the release of the book with the same title. The book is probably the most comprehensive resource on management in complex environments drawing on more than 100 interviews with business leaders. The book will be available globally in October […]

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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

This executive summary presents the findings from the study “Workplace Cooperation: Finding Practical Solutions in the Colombian Context,” conducted by the Fundación Ideas para la Paz (FIP). The study evaluates the added value of the Swedish Workplace Programme (SWP) dialogue and cooperation model within the Colombian labor market.

Throughout 2022, FIP dedicated efforts to thoroughly understand the SWP model, including its concept, foundations, implementation process, and contributions to the labor market. In 2023, FIP documented the experiences of three companies—SKF Latin Trade, Securitas, and Epiroc—that implemented the SWP model in practice. The study also included face-to-face workshops to gather feedback from various stakeholders including civil society, businesses, government, academia, and international cooperation. The findings suggest that the SWP model has the potential to strengthen labor relations, contribute to decent work, and resolve workplace conflicts in Colombia.

The case studies highlight the importance of collaboration between employers and workers to promote decent work and sustainable development in Colombia. They demonstrate that social dialogue facilitates worker participation in labor decision-making, enhances their representativeness, and promotes cooperation between employers and employees, thus improving labor relations and contributing to the well-being of both employees and companies.

The SWP model is particularly noted for improving workplace relationships and commitment to jointly finding solutions to challenges faced by workers and the company. It empowers workers, enhances leadership, and helps integrate business policies into daily practices, reducing the initial disconnect between management objectives and the day-to-day realities of workers. The study also highlights the model’s capacity to manage conflicts constructively, transforming the perception of conflict as an opportunity for improvement. Structured dialogues deepen understanding of the underlying causes of conflicts, fostering empathy and facilitating effective resolution. This promotes a culture of collaboration and a democratic approach to decision-making, building trust.

Additionally, the model is recognized for enabling workers to make decisions, identify challenges, and propose solutions that impact their well-being, and bridging gender gaps in the workplace. Its inclusive approach adapts to the unique needs and characteristics of each company, promoting a stronger and more diverse organizational culture. It also drives good work performance and productivity by involving workers in problem identification and resolution, as well as in implementing improvements and efficiently identifying ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) risks for companies.

The document identifies the SWP model’s added value in empowering direct interaction among labor stakeholders in Colombia, overcoming historical or cultural reservations, and contributing to the development of stronger labor relations and improved workplace environments in the country.

Challenges and opportunities of the model are also discussed. The study points out the importance of addressing value chain risks, particularly in a global context where corporate clients demand decent work processes and due diligence. It emphasizes the need to integrate SMEs into this process and use anchor companies as drivers of social dialogue throughout the value chain. The role of the state in social dialogue and the importance of highlighting the benefits of the model for adoption across various business sectors are discussed.

The opportunities of the model include raising awareness of human rights in the workplace in line with the United Nations Guiding Principles (UNGP), to strengthen due diligence, manage risks, promote long-term sustainability, and improve organizational culture. The document also underscores the importance of involving workers in change processes, leveraging their insights for continuous improvement of processes, and fostering innovation opportunities. Lastly, it suggests replicating the model in value chains to address work environment risks and gender biases, involving suppliers and contractors, and integrating the model into corporate policies to strengthen existing programs and transform organizational culture towards resource efficiency and effective participation of employers and workers.