Abstract

The fourth industrial revolution is but one of the several challenges that threaten to fundamentally change the future of the labour market and industrial relations on a global scale. Technological progress, demographic and climate change as well as globalization require timely responses from the actors involved in social dialogue and the institutions charged with it, such as the national Economic and Social Councils (ESCs). This article's aim is to carry out an exploratory analysis of how these institutions respond to the challenges above. The contribution is informed by the responses of 45 ESCs from all over the world that were involved in the first survey ever dedicated to these institutions.