The Concept of Representativeness at National, International and European Level

Abstract

[Excerpt] The representativeness of social partners provides legitimacy for their various roles in industrial relations, whether through the vehicle of social dialogue, collective bargaining or involvement in government policymaking or implementation. Their representativeness entitles the social partners to act on behalf of their members or, in some cases, all companies and the entire workforce. This report explores the different ways in which the representativeness of social partners is defined at national, European and international level.