Contact

Our team

Is based in Stockholm and consists of  Global Programme Director, Programme Directors, and a director responsible  for programme design, Evaluation and Learning, a Communication Manager and a representative from IF Metall. The regional hubs are located in Colombia, Kenya, South Africa and Vietnam. NIR and IF Metall’s presence and vast networks bring additional value to the four hubs by offering the potential to work jointly with the embassies and Business Sweden; thus broadening Sweden’s relations strategy beyond development and aid. 

Alessandra
Cornale

Global Programme Director
Email: alessandra.cornale@nir.se
Tel: +46 (0)70-791 93 81

Petter
Sjöblom

Programme Manager Design and Evaluation
Email: petter.sjoblom@nir.se
Tel: + 46 (0)70-999 03 85

Heidi Lampinen

International Project Coordinator, IF Metall
Email: heidi.lampinen@ifmetall.se
Tel: + 46 (0)8-786 81 78

Evalena
Persson

Programme Manager
Asia
Email: evalena.persson@nir.se
Tel: +46 (0)70-791 93 73

Binta
Mutale

Programme Manager
Africa
Email: binta.mutale@nir.se
Tel: +46 (0)70-791 93 80

Kaveh
Hagi

Programme Manager Latin America
Email: kaveh.hagi@nir.se
Tel: +46 (0)70-791 93 76

Maria
Castilla

Regional Programme Coordinator
Colombia

Email:
maria.castilla@swpglobal.org
Tel +57 310 667 02 15

Perpetua
Waithera

Regional Programme Coordinator
Kenya

Email: perpetua.waithera@swpglobal.org
Tel +254 769 255 280

Hien
Nguyen

Regional Programme Coordinator
Vietnam

Email: thuhien.nguyen@swpglobal.org
Tel +84 396 846 321

Visiting adresses

The Swedish Workplace Programme global team is based in Stockholm. The regional hubs are located in Colombia, Kenya, South Africa and Vietnam at the Sweden Business’ local offices.

Global Office

World Trade Center
Klarabergsviadukten 70
111 64 Stockholm

Regional offices

Colombia

Calle 71 no 6-21 Oficina 501
Edif. La Ceiba, Bogotá D.C, Colombia

Vietnam

Daeha Centre, 15th floor
360 Kim Ma Street Hanoi, Vietnam

South Africa

Fourways Golf Park, Roos Street, Royal Troon Building, 1st Floor, 2068 Johannesburg, South Africa

Kenya

Eden Square, 3rd floor, off Westlands road, 00800 Nairobi, Kenya

Contact us

Global office

World Trade Center

Klarabergsviadukten 70
111 64 Stockholm

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.