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Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion

Social dialogue in the paper industry covers activities related to NACE (Rev.2) codes 17.1 and 17.2, which include the manufacture of pulp and articles of paper and paperboard. 

The sectoral social dialogue committee has been created in 2010. In 2020, the EU paper industry employed some 630 000 people in around 18,500 companies (Eurostat SBS survey). 

The sector faces the following main challenge:

  • falling demand for certain products (e.g. graphic paper)
  • the shift towards CO2-neutral energy production and confirming with climate targets
  • technological innovation in paper production
  • the changing packaging and deforestation regulations
  • trade barrier
  • high energy prices

Workers' representatives

Employer's representatives

Key areas

The current work programme focuses on:

  • monitoring relevant EU initiatives to paper production
  • digitalization
  • promoting good industrial jobs and improving the industry’s attractiveness
  • health and Safety

Activities & meetings

Check the library entries for this sectoral social dialogue committee.

Achievements/Joint texts

Check the social dialogue texts database