Discussions conducted within the Civil Society Dialogue Forum framework and the European Union Domestic Advisory Groups (EU-DAGs) established in the context of the European Union-Central America Association Agreement (EU-CAAA) create opportunities for cross-border social dialogue.
Civil Society Dialogue Forum
In force since 1 December 2013, the EU-CAAA established under its Title VIII on "Trade and Sustainable development," a commitment by the Parties to organize and facilitate a "Civil Society Dialogue Forum for open dialogue," with a balanced representation of environmental, economic and social stakeholders. The Forum, which meets once a year, is tasked with allowing for dialogue on sustainable development aspects of trade relations between the Parties and on how cooperation contributes to achieving the objectives of this Title. Members of the Forum receive updates on the implementation of Title VIII and may express views and opinions on it.
Under the same Title, the Parties “reaffirm their commitments to respect, promote, and realize in good faith and in accordance with the ILO Constitution, the principles concerning the fundamental rights which are the subject of the fundamental ILO Conventions," "to effectively implement in their laws and practice the fundamental ILO Conventions contained in the ILO Declaration of Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work of 1998" and to "exchange information on their respective situation and advancements as regards the ratification of the other ILO Conventions."
The European Union Domestic Advisory Group (EU-DAG)
The Parties to the EU-CAAA are required to set up Domestic Advisory Groups (DAGs) "with the task of advising on the implementation" of the Trade and Sustainable Development chapter. DAGs are country-based spaces for dialogue between national organizations, which shall comprise "independent representative organizations, in a balanced representation of economic, social and environmental stakeholders including, among others, employers and workers organizations, business associations, non-governmental organizations, and local public authorities."
As this is an agreement signed by the EU, a European Union Domestic Advisory Group (EU-DAG) has been set up—a cross-border entity that includes representatives of business organizations and trade unions, alongside other civil society organizations. It is mandated to advise EU institutions on the application of this Chapter (see more information on the Group’s composition).
DAGs joint meetings
In addition to the forum meetings, the European Union (EU) and Central American Advisory Groups have agreed to hold annual joint meetings that are organized back-to-back with the Civil Society Dialogue Forum meetings. "Such joint meetings provide an appropriate framework for structured, in-depth discussions on a broad range of aspects relating to the implementation of the Trade and Sustainable Development Title." They also allow "for the exchange of information and best practice in related areas and the preparation of joint recommendations to be presented to the Parties and to the Civil Society Dialogue Forum" (see the dedicated page).
For example, on the occasion of the sixth meeting of the EU-Central America joint meeting of Domestic Advisory Groups and the Civil Society Dialogue Forum (12 and 13 November 2020), a joint declaration issued recommendations and also asked for an “institutional status to the joint meetings between the Advisory Groups and to establish mechanisms for direct dialogue between the Trade and Sustainable Development Board and the Advisory Groups of the Parties.”