GOOD PRACTICES FROM PORTUGAL: Suggestions for Improving Social Dialogue and Education in the Sector

One of the partners of this year’s AWD is the Portuguese Association of Wood Industry and Furniture (AIMMP), which at the end of the year celebrates 60 years of activity and has more than 7,500 members. At AWD their representatives will introduce participants to the current situation and trends in the Portuguese wood industry. AIMMP President Vitor Poças is currently working as chairman of the Working Group on Social Affairs within the European Confederation of Wood Industry (CEI-Bois), where Croatia’s interests are represented by the Croatian Wood Cluster as a full member of this lobbying association. AWD will report on the adoption of concrete action plans, currently being discussed in Brussels: from employee training; the attractiveness of the sector; joint promotions; cooperation between educational institutions and the economy; the harmonization of the profile of sector workers etc. The next meeting of the working group will be held at the beginning of next year where AWD conclusions will be presented on this topic and a proactive discussion is expected.