The Council for Labour and Social Dialogue (CLSD) was established by Additional Act No. 02/2009/CCEG/UEMOA of March 17, 2009 by the Conference of Heads of State and Government of the Union.
The CLSD is an advisory body whose objective is to ensure effective participation of all non-state actors in the integration process of UEMOA.
As such, it is responsible for, among other things:
- Examining and assessing any issue that may have a social impact in the Union;
- Strengthening consultation and tripartite consultation mechanisms within the Union;
- Supporting the consolidation of the social dialogue process and structures in member countries.
The CLSD provides opinions, at its own initiative or that of the Member States, the Council of Ministers, the Commission, employers' representatives, and workers' representatives, on the potential social consequences of any community proposal.
The CLSD is composed of 72 members appointed by the eight member states, according to the following structure:
- Representatives of the government;
- Representatives of employers' representative organizations;
- Representatives of workers' representative organizations;
- Representatives of civil society.
The CLSD has a General Assembly and a bureau. The bureau is composed of three members:
- A President (representative of the government),
- A Vice-President (representative of employers),
- A Vice-President (representative of workers).
The members of this bureau are elected for a period of two years.