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The OECD has undertaken close consultation and dialogue with civil society since its creation in 1961. For many years, this was primarily with the business and labour sectors, through the Business and Industry Advisory Committee to the OECD (BIAC) and the Trade Union Advisory Committee to the OECD (TUAC). This relationship is implemented by the Labour/Management Programme (LMP).
What and who is BIAC and TUAC?
The Business and Industry Advisory Committee to the OECD (BIAC) consists of the industrial and employers' associations of the OECD member countries and is therefore representative of business and industry in the industralised world.
The Trade Union Advisory Committee to the OECD (TUAC) is composed of the national trade union organisations from OECD countries.
Both Secretariats are based in Paris which permits day-to-day contacts with the Organisation.
How and when did OECD's relations with BIAC and TUAC begin?
Formal relations between the OECD and representatives of trade unions and business in Member countries were established soon after the OECD was created. In March 1962, the Council adopted a Decision providing for consultations with the international non-governmental organisations and recognised the Trade Union Advisory Committee to the OECD (TUAC) as being the most representative of labour, and the Business and Industry Advisory Committee to the OECD (BIAC) as being the most representative of business.
How does this relationship work?
Relations between the Organisation and BIAC and TUAC are facilitated and enriched by the procedural flexibility with which contacts can be organised. Informal contacts, (for example, the OECD Labour/Management Programme) are supplemented by more formal contacts on both the political and technical level, as explained in more detail below:
Political Consultations:
Liaison Committee Meetings (LCMs) and Council Ministerial Meetings (C/MIN)
Consultations with BIAC and TUAC take place within the framework of the Liaison Committee (of the Council) with International Non-Governmental Organisations, which is chaired by the Secretary-General and open to all Member countries. Separate meetings are held with BIAC and TUAC annually. These consultations, in which members of the Secretariat also participate, usually centre around a broad topic related to OECD's work, and are organised by the Public Affairs Division.
Other Political consultations are also held between BIAC or TUAC and the Chair and Vice-chairs of the Committees of the Organisation. These opportunities to consult are of particular importance when they are held with the officers of OECD Committees meeting at Ministerial level, including on the occasion of the annual Ministerial Council.
Technical Consultations:
The OECD Labour/Management Programme (LMP) (see more information)
Technical Consultations permit specialised bodies of BIAC or TUAC to exchange views with working parties of OECD Committees and with the Secretariat on subjects of mutual interest. The OECD Labour/Management Programme (LMP), run by the Public Affairs Division, provides another forum for contacts. These sessions permit the exploration with OECD staff members of subjects of current interest related to OECD's Work Programme.
What is BIAC and TUAC's role?
The role of both Advisory Committees is not just limited to being heard. They also contribute to the Organisation's work. That both BIAC and TUAC regularly take advantage of this opportunity attests to the value they place on the consultative relationship. In the two types of consultations mentioned above, both BIAC and TUAC strive to present a consensus view of their memberships.
How important is the OECD's relationship with BIAC and TUAC?
Relations with BIAC and TUAC have become an important element of OECD's own functioning. The relationship is based on a climate of mutal trust and acceptance. An essential feature, particularly from the administrative point of view, is strict parallelism of treatment. Discussions with BIAC and TUAC enhance OECD's task of guiding consultations with and between governments.
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