ILO Decent Work Country Programmes Svetla Shekerdjieva – Senior Specialist for Workers’ Activities DWT/CO for CEE - Budapest

What is Decent Work for the ILO? Definition: “Opportunities for women and men to obtain decent and productive work, in conditions of freedom, equity, security and human dignity”

ILO’s means of action Normative action Research and information dissemination Advocacy Policy advice Technical cooperation projects

The ILO’s Decent Work agenda is based on: 4 strategic objectives: Promote and realize standards and fundamental principles and rights at work Create greater opportunities for women and men to secure decent employment and income Enhance the coverage and effectiveness of social protection for all Strengthen tripartism and social dialogue Gender equality is a cross-cutting issue

Decent Work Country Programmes are: Primary means for the ILO to provide assistance to the constituents at the country level to meet the goal of Decent Work Main vehicle for ILO contribution to the UN system’s response to national development needs and priorities

Objectives of DWCPs To promote Decent Work as a key component of development policies and international cooperation assistance frameworks (MDGs, UNDAF, PRSP) To serve as results-based management tool to realize progress towards the goal of Decent Work

Basic characteristics of DWCPs Time-bound (2 years) Resourced Decentralisation of responsibility to the field offices Framework to determine, with the participation of constituents, priority areas of cooperation Within the priority areas, expected outcomes (results) are defined

Information Gathering, Analysis & Strategic Selection Consultation, social dialogue Indicators, policies, research documents, reports INTEGRATED PARTICIPATORY ANALYSIS Past experiences in country Root causes, opportunities, STRATEGIC PRIORITIES SELECTED Areas for cooperation

Process Selection of countries: under SRO Budapest are Albania, Bosnia/Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Moldova, Romania and Ukraine. Consultation process started with constituents in 2005. Reviewed and fine-tuned during 2006. DWCP signed in Albania in September 2006.

Content of the DWCP First chapter: Current situation from a Decent Work perspective Second chapter: Priority areas of cooperation, main outcomes, and short description of major ILO assistance under each outcome Third chapter: Management and implementation Fourth chapter: Performance monitoring and evaluation arrangements

DWCP Implementation Resource allocation by: COMMON ACTION JOINT PLANNING Resource allocation by: Intended outcome Source Form/Amount COMMON ACTION Joint resource mobilization Joint Advocacy Coordination on Annual Reporting & Work Planning

Fundamental Principles National priorities Constituent participation Dynamic process Culture of cooperation Minimize workload Focused on results

Elements of DWCPs Economic growth and human dignity go hand in hand. Workers’ rights are considered a cornerstone of development, economic, financial, trade and social policies. Decent Work is considered an opportunity for sustainable human development worldwide.

Elements of DWCPs Core labour standards as mandated by the ILO are upheld by each and every country. DW strategies are developed and implemented at the national and international level. Decisions at local, national and international level are publicly discussed and taken with the involvement of those affected by them.

Elements of DWCPs Companies recognise Decent Work as an essential component of their business strategies. Workers’ and employers’ organisations are heard by decision makers on the relevance of Decent Work for all to live in dignity and achieve a better standard of living.

The way forward DWCPs should include comprehensive participation of social partners. Integration of country objectives require the establishment of functioning tripartite committees to develop and implement DWCPs. Such committees should focus on the ILO’s four strategic objectives.

Thank you very much for your attention!