Local Authorities and the Promotion of Decent Work in Construction and Related Services

Report

Day / Time Monday, June 19th / 14:00 - 16:00

Event Description

Although local authorities play a significant role in construction and related services, information and knowledge of their potential to generate jobs and improve work conditions, through policy-making and strategic allocation of public resources, is still poorly understood. While a number of local authorities implement best practices related to labour, few others have the knowledge necessary for such implementation. This discussion will aim to reduce the gap between the two sets of local authorities. It will include the presentations of related research by the International Labour Office and the University of Geneva, complemented by speakers knowledgeable in good practices. This event will, also, discuss the formation of a mutually supportive network of local authorities with a view on promoting decent work.

Session Language

English

Speakers

Steven Miller, International Labour Office;

Gunde Odgaard, Building and Wood Workers International; Fernando Pimentel, Mayor of Belo Horizonte ;

Mariana Paredes, University of Geneva ; Edmundo Werna (chair)

Host Organization

ILO (International Labour Office), UNIGE ( University of Geneva ) and GIAN ( Geneva International Academic Network)

Host Organization Description

The event is based on a project executed by the ILO in partnership with UNIGE, funded by GIAN. The primary goal of the ILO (International Labour Office) is to promote opportunities for women and men to obtain decent and productive work, in conditions of freedom, equity, security and human dignity. For decades the ILO has been active in urban development initiatives related to its four strategic objectives, namely: employment, social dialogue, social protection and rights at work. Cities are not merely places to live, but equally, places to work. Given the magnitude and pace of urbanization, a crucial challenge is to create more and better quality employment in urban settlements. By 2008, over 50% of the world's population will live in urban areas . The fastest growth rate of urban population is in developing countries where it is estimated that about 180,000 new urban residents are added per day. By 2020, the urban population in developing countries is expected to reach 50 per cent . Work is mainly and often the only way to stay out of urban poverty.

 

Report

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Title of Event: Name of Organisation: Date and time of the session:	Local Authorities and the Promotion of Decent Work in Construction and Related Services International Labour Office (ILO), University of Geneva, sponsored by the Geneva International Academic Network June 19, 14h00-16h00
Key Highlights Estimated no of participants: 40 Stakeholder group representation at the event: n/a What were the expected objectives: n/a What did the networking event achieve: n/a
2. What were the core issues identified in your event as they relate to the theme and sub-themes of WUFIII? Although local authorities are playing a significant role in fostering construction and related services, information and knowledge about their potential in generating jobs and/or improving the conditions of work in such sector through good policy-making and strategic allocation of public resources is still poorly understood. While a number of local authorities have been pro-active in implementing best practices related to labour, many others still do not have the knowledge necessary for such an implementation.This event aimed at discussing how to reduce the gap between the two sets of local authorities. It included presentations coming out of an action research project on the theme of the event coordinated by the International Labour Office and the University of Geneva, complemented by speakers who were involved in or/and have knowledge about good practices, to explain the reasons for success. Finally, the event discussed the formation of a mutually-supportive network of local authorities with a view on promoting decent work.
3. What were the main points raised by panellists and participants in relation to these different issues? What new ideas have been generated as a result of the discussion? Different remarks were made by the audience. A very important to mention is the one made by Ms. Patricia Laczynsli, Director of International Relations at the Municipality of Santo Andre. She recognized the importance of the best practices presented in the Santo Andre region: Vamos construer and Sacadura Cabral. The research team talked to her, and will contact her if necessary, namely for the Santo Andre case-study.
4. What process steps have been identified in your event that could help turn ideas into operational reality? n/a

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