The Pillar sets the right for social partners to be involved in the design and implementation of employment and social policies, and supports their stronger involvement in policy and law-making while taking into account the diversity of national systems.(73) Its realisation entails setting the appropriate institutional or legal framework at Union and national level, by giving a clear role to social partners not only in consultation and preparation of relevant legislation and policies, but also in their implementation and enforcement.

The Pillar entitles all workers in all sectors to be informed and consulted directly or through their representatives on matters relevant to them such as the transfer, restructuring and merger of undertakings and collective redundancies. It looks beyond the current Union acquis given that: it applies regardless of the staff numbers involved; its material scope encompasses both the restructuring and merger of companies; and the right is not just to receive information but also to be consulted about any such corporate action, which implies an exchange of views and the establishment of a consistent dialogue with the employer. Moreover, Principle 8b covers any issues that concern workers, whereas existing Directives contain a limited list of topics for engaging in information and consultation processes. By referring to 'matters relevant to them, in particular (…) the transfer, restructuring and merger of undertakings and (…) collective redundancies', it goes further than Article 27 of the Charter, which provides for a right to information and consultation 'in the cases and under the conditions provided for by Union law and national laws and practices'.

While capacity-building is first and foremost a bottom-up process depending on the will and efforts of the social partners themselves, the provisions of the Pillar highlight that the efforts by the social partners can be complemented by public authorities while respecting the social partners' autonomy. Capacity-building refers to increasing the representativeness of social partners and to strengthening their operational, analytical and legal capabilities to engage in collective bargaining and to contribute to policy-making. This support can take the form of setting the appropriate institutional/legal framework, by giving a clear role to social partners in policymaking and also by providing financial support.

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(73) A new start for Social Dialogue - Statement of the Presidency of the Council of the European Union, the European Commission and the European Social Partners, June 16, 2016.