The texts included in this publication do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the United Nations or that of its members.

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2 The texts included in this publication do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the United Nations or that of its members. Covers illustration: ILO, Illustration Gill Button Design: CEBRA Comunicación Visual - Printed by OIT/CINTERFOR December 2009 Depósito legal ISBN

3 Index 1. Normative and programmatic Human Rights framework in force The United Nations System ongoing reform process One goal: Full Employment and Decent Work Human Rights Based Approach (HRBA) at Country Level Toolkit for Mainstreaming Employment and Decent Work Synergies for a common purpose Millenium Development Goals and Decent Work Uruguay: a Pilot Delivering as One Experience Accronyms used... 49

4 Presentation of the Resident Coordinator of the United Nations Mainstreaming of Employment and Decent Work in the United Nations System The United Nations Multilateral System, in its effort to contribute with the countries to meet the targets set in the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) by the year 2015, established the goal of employment and decent work for all as a fundamental component of its national and international policies and its national development strategies. This decision is in turn framed within the current reform process being implemented in the United Nations System (UNS) to increase the coherence and impact of its cooperation actions at country level. This should thus be translated into more interventions programmed jointly by all Specialized Agencies, Commissions, Funds and Programmes contributing to Delivering as one in priority areas, such as the present case of employment and decent work. On the other hand, the International community has been adopting decisions to counter the negative impact of the financial, economic and social crisis that have enabled, among other commitments, the Global Jobs Pact signed in June 2009 by the governments, employers and workers of more than 170 countries at the International Labour Conference, and validated by the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) and welcomed by the G20 at the Pittsburgh summit. This publication is an initiative of the Delivering as One pilot in Uruguay aiming to facilitate the implementation of the full employment and decent work goal systematizing the supportive information included in the Human Rights Normative and Programmatic Framework, the Institutional support involved, the different levels of cooperation foreseen in the countries and the continual improvement devices provided by the United Nations System. Finally, and from the country perspective, we also include information from the first cross-sectional analysis of Employment and Decent Work carried out since the Mid-term Review of the UNDAF/ Joint Programme on Capacity- Building for Development. Lastly, we must acknowledge that this effort aims to generate a basis for future decisions and assist in this manner to mainstream employment and decent work in cooperation and national policies in Uruguay, while at the same time enhance its appreciation at international level as a genuine contribution of a Pilot Country that may be used to guide the United Nations System and the international community towards achieving the MDGs. We also hope that this contribution we publish today is a useful tool for the exercise of formulating the next UNDAF and a basis for important conceptual advances. Pablo Mandeville Resident Coordinator of UN System in Uruguay 4 1. Normative and programmatic Human Rights framework in force

5 Normative and programmatic framework Universal Declaration of Human Rights, 1948 Milennium Declaration, 2000 World Summit, 2005 Declaration on Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work, 1998 Declaration on Social Justice for a Fair Globalization, 2008 Second United Nations Decade for the Eradication on Poverty ( ), 2008 Joint Crisis Initiatives, 2009 Global Jobs Pact, 2009 CEB ECOSOC UNDG RDT UNCT ILO CONSTITUENTS Toolkit Support EMPLOYMENT SOCIAL PROTECTION Goal DECENT SOCIAL DIALOGUE STANDARDS Toolkit HRBA UN Stanford Common Understanding Interlinked levels DWCP UNDAF NATIONAL POLICIES Toolkit WORK Delivering as One Toolkit Achieve MDGs Human Rights

6 This publication has been possible thanks to the cooperation of the International Labour Organization (ILO) Regional Office for Latin America and the Caribbean within the Framework of the Delivering as One Programme of the United Nations System in Uruguay.

7 DECENT The current forecasts of the International Labour Organization (ILO) aim at high and persistent levels of unemployment and poverty, while the workforce continues to grow and may give rise to a deficit of employment that may last in time far beyond the economic recovery. The majority of people who loose their jobs, even in the developed economies, do not receive unemployment benefits and eight out of ten have no social protection. A rapid and synchronized worldwide fall in investment, consumption, production and trade during the past two years has determined massive employment losses in many countries. The worst case scenario suggests that towards the end of 2009 global unemployment figures could rise up to 50 million and that 200 million workers could be submerged in conditions of extreme poverty. The current workforce worldwide today is 3.3 billion, and increases yearly with the arrival of approximately 45 million persons who seek employment. Tens of millions of young people are dropping school and entering a depressed job market, and in previous financial crises four to five years elapsed on average after the economic recovery started before reaching the employment levels recorded prior to the crisis. Between May 2008 and February 2009 the average number of persons receiving unemployment benefits increased 53 per cent, as estimated using a sample of 19 emerging and industrialized countries. Report of the ILO Director-General Juan Somavía, Facing the global employment crisis Recovery through decent work policies. 98th ILC Meeting, WORK

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9 Normative and programmatic Universal Declaration of Human Rights, 1948 framework Milennium Declaration, 2000 World Summit, 2005 Declaration on Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work, 1998 Declaration on Social Justice for a Fair Globalization, 2008 Second United Nations Decade for the Eradication on Poverty ( ), 2008 Join Initiatives, 2009 Global Jobs Pact, 2009 Goal DECENT Normative and programmatic Human Rights framework in force 1 WORK Since 1948, the United Nations has participated in the approval of more than 80 global agreements on economic, social, cultural, political and civil rights. Apart from defining them, the UN is responsible for promoting, protecting and fostering these rights and, through the principle of genuine cooperation and dialogue, enhancing the Member States capacity to secure their effective recognition and observance. Ban Ki-moon, UN Secretary-General, states that it is our duty to guarantee that these rights are a living reality, that they are known, understood and enjoyed by everyone, everywhere. On December 10th, 1948 the United Nations General Assembly adopted and proclaimed the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Article 23 establishes that everyone has the right to work, to free choice of employment, to just and favourable working conditions and to protection against unemployment. It likewise establishes that everyone, without any discrimination, has the right to equal pay for equal work and that everyone who works has the right to just and favourable remuneration ensuring for himself and his family an existence worthy of human dignity, and supplemented, if necessary, by other means of social protection. The Declaration also states that: everyone has the right to form and to join trade unions for the protection of his interests (art. 23.4), to social security (art.22), to rest and leisure, including reasonable limitation of working hours and periodic holidays with pay (art. 24), to an adequate standard of living (including the right to security in the event of unemployment and sickness) (art.25), and to education (technical and professional education should be made generally available) (art.26). 1. Normative and programmatic Human Rights framework in force 9

10 Millennium Declaration and Millennium Development Goals In the United Nations Millennium Development Summit celebrated in the year 2000 at the UN New York Headquarters, 189 heads of State and Government committed themselves to work jointly to achieve a better world for all by the year The outcome of this summit was the Millennium Declaration, and the its goals are known as the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) The MDGs contain the aspirations for a comprehensive global development, representing universally accepted human rights and values. They consolidate many of the most important commitments upheld separately at the United Nations summits and conferences during the 90 s. They pose eight ambitious goals to be met by 2015 that include quantifiable targets with indicators and deadlines to survey the progress reached. Commitment towards the MDGs involves an unprecedented collective global effort in the 50 years of development experience. They have not only been adopted by governments and the international community (as an international cooperation framework for development), but also by the private sector, and more crucially, by civil society in developed and developing countries. The Millennium Development Goals are feasible if immediate measures are taken to implement the commitments undertaken. UN Secretary-General Report on the work of the Organization, Normative and programmatic Human Rights framework in force

11 2005 Global Summit: Ratified Goals At the 2005 Global Summit the world leaders reaffirmed the Millennium Declaration, ensuring compliance with the goals and objectives agreed upon at the major UN conferences and summits including the MDGs. They furthermore decided to adopt a series of measures regarding several universal challenges such as development, peace, Human Rights, Environment, management reform, and employment, among others. They resolved that the goals of full and productive employment for all, particularly for women and youth, shall be a fundamental objective in our national and international development strategies, including those of poverty reduction, as part of our effort to reach the Millennium Development Goals to support a fairer globalization. The measures would likewise encompass the elimination of the worst forms of child labour (according to the definition of the ILO Convention No. 182), and forced labour, guaranteeing the full observance of the fundamental labour principles and rights. The efforts to meeting our collective commitments to fight poverty will fall short unless we focus on creating employment opportunities and decent work for all ILO Director-General, Message on the occasion of International Day for the Eradication of Poverty, Normative and programmatic Human Rights framework in force 11

12 Universal Rights in the World of Labour The fundamental ILO principles and aims, as the fundamental rights in the world of labour, are contained in the Declaration of Philadelphia, sanctioned in 1944 which states that: a) labour is not a commodity b) that freedom of expression and of association are essential to sustained progress c) that poverty anywhere constitutes a danger to prosperity everywhere d) the need to pursue a common well-being Furthermore, ILO acknowledged the solemn obligation to encourage among nations programmes to enable: ILO likewise adopts International Conventions of labour that once ratified become binding International treaties for their members. A total 187 international conventions and 198 recommendations encompassing a wide spectrum of issues regarding work, employment, social security, social policies and connected human rights have been adopted to date. full employment and the raising of standards of living the workers to use the fullest measure of their skills and attainments guaranteeing facilities for professional training and the transfer of labour ensure a just share of the fruits of progress to all, and a minimum living wage the effective recognition of the right of collective bargaining an extension of the social security measures adequate protection for the life and heath of workers provision of adequate nutrition, housing and facilities for recreation and culture the assurance of equality of educational and vocational opportunity Normative and programmatic Human Rights framework in force

13 In the ILO Declaration on Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work adopted in 1998, all the member States have endorsed to respect and promote the principles and rights set out in four categories, even if they have not yet ratified the corresponding conventions. This commitment is supported by a monitoring procedure of the condition of rights and principles in the individual countries according to the following categories: freedom of association and the effective recognition of the right to collective bargaining the elimination of forced or compulsory labour the abolition of child labour the elimination of discrimination in respect to employment and occupation The 10th July 2008 ILO Declaration on Social Justice for a Fair Globalization heir to the Declaration of Philadelphia and the ILO Declaration on fundamental principles and rights at work. It is the third declaration on all encompassing principles and policies adopted by the International Labour Conference. It is based on the values and principles set in the ILO Constitution, and reinforces them to meet the challenges posed by the 21st century. It is a reference for the promotion of a fair globalization based on Decent Work, and a practical tool to accelerate the process in the application of the Decent Work Agenda in the individual countries. This last statement expresses the contemporary view of the ILO mandate in the era of globalization, institutionalizes the concept of decent work developed by the ILO since 1999 and is at the heart of the policies of the Organization to achieve its constitutional objectives. 1. Normative and programmatic Human Rights framework in force 13

14 A second decade for the eradication of poverty The Second United Nations Decade for the Eradication of Poverty Action Plan ( ) adopted in 2008 is designed to improve the coherence and synergy of the United Nations system in the field of employment and decent work in the context of the eradication of poverty. It acknowledges that the strategic goals based on the four ILO decent work pillars are broad, complete and critical in relation to the eradication of poverty. It thus seems logical and effective to make the most of the structure and platform developed previously to support the Toolkit for Mainstreaming of employment and decent work, and provide institutional strength to the draft Action Plan. Joint UNS Initiatives to Face the Crisis In the world experienced one of the severest financial, economic and social crises in its history requiring an internationally coordinated response. This multidimensional crisis demanded a consistent and exhaustive strategy from the United Nations System (UNS) that needed to gather all the knowledge, experience, strengths and capacities of the entire multilateral system and improve its interaction and cooperation. Synergy was required, as none of the multilateral institutions has the mandate or is equipped to face all aspects of the crisis. Several joint UNS initiatives to provide an immediate response to the crisis -focused on sustainable development- have been identified by the High-Level Committee on Programmes (HLCP) as priority areas for the impact of multilateral action, and are the responsibility of the said agencies Normative and programmatic Human Rights framework in force

15 Some of the areas are new, while others drew from ongoing initiatives that became newly important by responding to the crisis and demanding a joint action from the group of multilateral agencies directly involved. The joint initiatives are: Trade A Global Jobs Pact A green economy Food safety A social protection floor Humanitarian, security and social stability Additional financing for the most vulnerable Monitoring and analysis Technology and innovation Initiative To foster employment, production, investment and added demand, and promotion of decent work for all is the joint initiative posed by the CEB and lead by the ILO, with FAO, IMF, IOM, ITU, and the United Nations, UNDP, UNEP, UN- FPA, UNIDO, UNWTO, UPU, WIPO and World Bank Regional Commissions. The initiative acknowledges that: the four pillars of the Decent Work Agenda may ultimately be incorporated to each response to the crisis and adapted to the specific circumstances at all levels of development. the Global Jobs Pact that contains a vision, a series of principles and a n integrated package of policies including several dimensions of the Decent Work Agenda- is necessary to bring new life to the economy and alleviate the social and labor crisis. Initiative Establish a social protection floor to ensure access to the basic social services and protection of the poor and vulnerable population is the Joint initiative posed by the CEB and championed by the ILO, WHO with FAO, IMF, OHCRH, and United Nations, UNAIDS, DESA, UNDP, UNESCO, UNFPA, UNO - HABITAT, UNHCR, UNICEF, UNODC, UN RWA, WFP, WMO and the World Bank Regional Commission cooperation. The social protection floor should count with two main elements: a) Services: Geographic and financial access to Essentials public services (such as water and, health and education) b) Transferences: a basic set of social transferences in cash and in kind paid to the poor and vulnerable to provide them a minimal income and access to essential services, including health care. 1. Normative and programmatic Human Rights framework in force 15

16 Global Jobs Pact The Global Jobs Pact is the response to the crisis originally agreed by the tripartite ILO operators from the decent work perspective with the joint commitment to act in agreement with the ILO policies. The objective is to place employment and social protection at the very centre of the recovery policies in order to accelerate the generation of employment, guarantee inclusive access to jobs through specific measures enhancing support to vulnerable groups, extend social protection coverage and increase safety. This Pact is the fruit of our joint efforts and we shall work to maximize its potential throughout the United Nations System, including through the United Nations Chief Excecutives Board (CEB) and the United Nations Economic and Social Council Message from Ban Ki-Moon Secretary General United Nations 98th Session ILC It was adopted on June 19th 2009 by the International Labour Organization International Conference in the special context of the global economic crisis and facing the prospect of a prolonged global increase in unemployment, poverty and inequality. The final document of the Conference on the Global Financial and Economic Crisis and its Effects on Development held on the 24-26th June 2009 invited the ILO to present the Global Jobs Pact with the aim of promoting recovery from this crisis by focusing on employment and placing it at the heart of the recovery policies. It was received with satisfaction by the United Nations Economic and Social Council that encouraged the Member States to promote it and rigorously use it as a general framework for each country to formulate a series of policies adjusted to their situation and priorities. However, when designing a strategy the most important thing is to request the UN funds and programmes and agencies to: - take into consideration the Pact in the decision-making processes when adopting their policies and programmes. - consider the integration of the contents regarding Pact policies in the Resident Coordinators System and in the United Nations Country Teams, according to each country s priorities and plans Normative and programmatic Human Rights framework in force

17 The principles for formulting policies The Global Jobs Pact contains 11 principles destined to promote recovery and development. These principles constitute the general framework within which each country may formulate its specific policies according to their circumstances and priorities, explaining the grounds for and supporting the Multilateral United Nations System. The principles are:: 1. prioritize the protection and increase of employment 2. increase support to vulnerable persons 3. prioritize measures destined to preserve employment and facilitate job mobility 4. establish or strengthen effective employment services 5. develop work competences together with participation in training activities and quality education 6. avoid protectionist solutions and the worsening of working conditions 7. promote the fundamental labour standards 8. participate in the social dialogue 9. actions consistent with economic, social and environmental sustainability 10. establish synergies between State and market 11. ensure active collaboration among ILO and international agencies, international financial institutions and with other developed countries The main objective of the Pact is to reduce the many years of delay between recovery of growth and of employment. Juan Somavía, Director-General of the International Labour Office 1. Normative and programmatic Human Rights framework in force 17

18 This Pact provides a series of answers based on decent work, and we will now list some of the specific political options, such as: accelerate the creation of jobs and the recovery of employment and support enterprises establish a social protection system and for the protection of persons enhance respect towards international labour standards social dialogue: collective bargaining, identify priorities, stimulate action The Pact may be taken as a reference in the national decision-making debates and processes. We need to give life to this commitment. Take it to your countries. Use it to inspire you. Adapt it to your country conditions. I am sure that many of you are already doing it. Juan Somavia. Director-General of the International Labor Office, address before ECOSOC during a series of high level discussions. Annual Ministerial Examination. Palace of Nations, Geneva. 6th July, 2009 In the case of developing countries, the Global Jobs Pact continues in the line of shaping a fair and sustainable globalization, recognizing, among others, the need to: increase the priority of generating of decent work opportunities foster the creation of employment and generate new opportunities for decent work through the promotion and development of sustainable businesses provide professional and technical training activities for the development of entrepreneurial competences, especially for unemployed youth contribute solutions for informal employment to achieve the transition to formal employment respect the commitments to increase aid to avoid forestalling the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals The role of ILO, as stipulated in the document, is to fully collaborate with the United Nations and all the other relevant international agencies, encouraging them to act as facilitators to achieve a more effective and consistent application of the social and economic policies Normative and programmatic Human Rights framework in force

19 G20: Quality Employment at the Centre of Recovery The G20 leaders expressed appreciation towards the Global Jobs Pact at the Pittsburgh Summit in September This summit established a Framework for Strong, Sustainable and Balanced Growth to guarantee a durable recovery that creates the good jobs that our people need. The G20 pledged to place quality jobs at the heart of the recovery through the implementation of recovery plans to support decent work, help preserve employment and prioritize job growth. In this sense, they committed their nations to adopt the key elements of its general Framework to advance in the social dimension of globalization. The International institutions were urged to consider the ILO standards and the goals of the Jobs Pact in their analysis of the crisis and post-crisis and policy-making activities. An action plan was drawn whereby the Employment and Labour Ministers were asked to meet as a Group in early 2010 to consult with labour and business and build upon the upcoming OECD Labour and Employment Ministerial meeting on the jobs crisis. The Ministers were directed to assess the evolving employment situation, review reports from the ILO and other organizations on the impact of policies adopted by the Summit. The new Framework for Strong, Sustainable and Balanced Growth endorsed by the G 20 requires structural reforms to: - prioritize growth of employment - create more inclusive labor markets - increase access to quality education and training programs 1. Normative and programmatic Human Rights framework in force 19

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21 CEB ECOSOC UNDG RDT UNCT Support ILO CONSTITUENTS DECENT The United Nations System ongoing reform process 2 WORK The United Nations reform is a process of improvement and revitalization of the manner how the Organization and its specialized agencies, funds and programs work and comply with: - the tasks included in the U.N. Charter - the monitoring all Conferences, Agreements, Treaties, Conventions and Objectives The United Nations reform process aims to improve the management and coordination of its activities with governments and increase the coherence, efficiency, effectiveness and impact of its actions. The United Nations is the major international structure capable of maintaining peace and security in the world, promoting democracy, peace and development. Faced with these challenges, the United Nations System conformed by its Specialized Agencies, Commissions, Funds, Programmes and other tools-, works together with States to bridge proposals to foster social progress, better standards of living and respect for Human Rights. One of the most important mandates of the United Nations System at country level continues to be to support countries in their capacity to improve the management of the resources for development, including assistance, and produce the results of development. 2. The United Nations System ongoing reform process 21

22 Delivering as One : Total Resource Mobilization The Delivering as One pilot initiative aims to gather the resources and rationalize actions to detect the strong points of the different members of the United Nations System and enable them to act in a more coherent and coordinated manner at country level. The aim of Delivering as One is to ensure a more effective and efficient UN cooperation, and accelerate the achievement of all the agreed international goals, including the MDGs. This initiative recommended by the Secretary-General High Level Panel and consistent with the General United Nations System opens a new manner of cooperating among Governments, donors and the UNS. It is currently being implemented in eight countries representative of diverse development situations and where it will be possible to obtain lessons learnt and possible guidelines to be followed by other countries in similar conditions. Four pillars guide the actions of these pilot countries: one leader: the UNS speak as one voice one budget: the UN, its specialized agencies and donors pool their resources at country level one programme: the country where the joint program is developed signs the UNDAF together with an operational document (UNDAF Action Plan) to guide the United Nations Country Team. one house: when possible and convenient, all the UN agencies shall be in a single building. The Social and Economic Council (ECOSOC) is the main UN organ to coordinate economic and social affairs and related tasks of the 14 specialized agencies and organic and regional commissions. It receives reports from 11 UN funds and programmes. It is the main UNS forum to review international economic and social issues. The Council plays a key role in the promotion of International cooperation for development and setting priorities for action The United Nations System ongoing reform process

23 Coordination Mechanisms A series of coordination bodies and mechanisms were established as part of the UN reform to promote coherence, improve the impact and reduce the duplication of actions. International Level The Chief Executives Board (CEB) promotes coordination and cooperation for a wide spectrum of substantive issues and management for the United Nations System. It is integrated by the Executive Directors of each of the member organizations and presided by the United Nations Secretary-General, convenes twice a year and reports on its activities before ECOSOC. It is based on three High Level Committees: on Programmes (HLCP), on Administration and the United Nations Development Group (UNDG). The United Nations Development Group includes the 32 United Nations funds, programmes, agencies, departments and offices that play a role in development. It aims to provide more coherent, effective and efficient support to countries to meet the internationally agreed development goals, including the Millennium Development Goals. Regional Level The specific mission of the UNCTs within the framework of the new UN agenda is to: work collectively with all their agencies, funds and programmes and together with governments and civil society to meet the agenda adopted by the 2005 Global Summit, the Millennium Declaration and the MDGs. The UNDG Regional Directors Team - RDT are six regional director s teams from the UN Agencies that gather regularly to manage the regional initiatives of the UN reform to support accountability and supervision. They provide coherent strategic leadership, policy guidance and technical support to the Resident Coordinators and United Nations Country Teams (UNCT) to achieve results at country level, while at the same time guaranteeing a timely process and high quality products. National Level Lead by the Resident Coordinator, the United Nations Country Teams (UNCTs) are formed by the chiefs or representatives of all the United Nations agencies pres- 2. The United Nations System ongoing reform process 23

24 ent in the country, and are responsible for ensuring inter-agency coordination and decision-making at national level. Their main purpose is to plan and work together with the different bodies, strengthen country analytical capabilities, processes and products, and guarantee tangible results to support the development of the government agenda. The UNCT meetings will include all representatives of the UN specialized agencies, funds and programmes and other UN entities active in a given country. The ILO Constituents ILO is the only tripartite United Nations agency, and gathers representatives from governments, employers and workers for the joint elaboration of policies and programmes. This tripartite structure allows employers and workers organizations to have the same voice as governments. The ILO Bureau for Employers Activities (ACT/EMP) works together with employers organizations to provide effective support for their members. It maintains a close and direct relationship with the employers organizations of the Member States, making available to them the ILO resources and constantly updating the said organizations opinions, concerns and priorities. The Bureau for Workers Activities (ACTRAV) supports the relationship between ILO and the trade-union movement, and is closely related to it. Its mission is to strengthen the representativeness, independence and democracy of trade-unions in all countries so they can play an effective role in the protection of the rights of workers and provide efficient services to their members at national and international level The United Nations System ongoing reform process

25 EMPLOYMENT DECENT STANDARDS One goal: Full Employment and Decent Work 3 SOCIAL PROTECTION WORK SOCIAL DIALOGUE At the 2005 World Summit full employment and decent work for everyone were the main targets set for national and international policies, and national UN development strategies. This commitment was reaffirmed in July 2006 by the United Nations Economic and Social Council when it debated on creating an environment at national and international level conducive to the attainment of full and productive employment and decent work for all, and the consequent sustainable development. In the Ministerial Declaration arising from this debate, the participating ministers and heads of delegation acknowledged the Decent Work Agenda was an important instrument to achieve the goal of full and productive employment and decent work for all. Furthermore, they stated their will to prioritize this goal in the relevant national and international policies, and national development strategies, to achieve the development goals endorsed at the 2005 Summit. ECOSC requested the multilateral system as a whole, including the diverse United Nations System agencies, funds and programmes to incorporate the full and productive employment and decent work for all goals in their policies, programmes and activities, and at the same invited the financial institutions and the World Trade Organization (WTO) to act in similar fashion. The ECOSOC Ministerial Declaration likewise encouraged all the agencies to actively collaborate towards the development of the Toolkit for Mainstreaming of employment and decent work requested by the CEB to promote decent work. Since then the ILO has worked in close collaboration with the other agencies through the Chief Executives Board coordinating the United Nations System pre- 3. One goal: Full employment and decent work 25

26 sided by its Secretary-General, Ban Ki-moon. The outcome of this work is the Toolkit for Mainstreaming of employment and decent work, designed to aid organizations belonging to the multilateral system to assess results and improve employment and decent work policies, programmes and activities. The Decent Work Concept Defined by ILO and adopted by the international community, the concept of decent work is the productive work carried out by men and women in conditions of freedom, equality, security and human dignity. Decent work is a clearly defined notion, of universal and indivisible character based on fundamental values and principles including the need to mainstream gender equality and non-discrimination. The Decent Work Agenda contains four equally important, inseparable and interrelated strategic goals that make it a central element of social and economic policies: promote employment through the creation of a sustainable institutional and economic environment adopt and extend social protection measures (social security and workers protection) promote social dialogue and tripartism respect, promote and apply the fundamental principles and rights in the workplace The ILO Declaration on Social Justice for Fair Globalization dated July 10th 2008 promotes the Decent Work Agenda and places it at the centre of the ILO policies, thus contributing to make the concept developed since 1999 universal and become institutionalized One goal: Full employment and decent work

27 Each of the four pillars of the Decent Jobs Agenda encompasses a broad spectrum of political levels and programmes that affect or are affected by decent work. Creation of employment and Enterprise Development Promotion of economic growth with high employment rates Promotion of productivity Promotion of a favourable macro-economic environment for employment Investment Promotion of the entrepreneurial spirit and of an environment favourable to business Trade and employment Sectoral policies Development of human resources Technology and employment Local economic development (LED) Labour-market policies Income generated by employment Youth employment Responding to the crisis International migrations Climate change, sustainable development and Green Jobs The informal economy Agriculture and rural employment Social protection Social security Safety in the workplace Health and work Fair conditions at work Pension systems Labour standards and rights Fundamental principles and rights at work Freedom of association and the right to organize unions Abolition of forced labour Elimination of child labour Elimination of discrimination and promotion of equality Applying the international labour standards Governance and Social Dialogue Promoting a good governance: labour laws and institutions Strengthening and participation of the social interlocutors and promotion of the social dialogue 3. One goal: Full employment and decent work 27

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29 DECENT UN Stanford Common Understanding Interlinked levels DWCP UNDAF NATIONAL POLICIES Human Rights Based Approach (HRBA) at Country Level 4 WORK The Human Right Based Approach (HRBA) seeks to promote the realization of Rights as laid down in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and other international instruments and rules for all United Nations Specialized Agencies, Commissions, Funds and Programmes, and cooperation programmes, policies and technical assistance. A Common Understanding on the Human Rights based Approach to Development was adopted in Stanford in 2003 for its effective application, in the same manner in all the United Nations System agencies, especially at country level within the cooperation for development framework. The aim of the Human Rights Based Approach (HRBA) is to contribute to the realization of all rights. On the other hand, gender equality and the elimination of all forms of discrimination based on sex are at the centre of the Human Rights Based Approach. The Human Rights based Approach guides all cooperation programming in all phases (assessment, analysis, planning and design, including setting of targets, goals and strategies) and impacts on the Country Policies towards the achievement of the MDGs. 4. Human Rights Based Approach (HRBA) at Country Level 29

30 The Decent Work Agenda The Decent Work Country Programmes (DWCPs) is an ILO contribution to assist countries to incorporate decent work in the United Nations Development Assistance Frameworks (UNDAF) and their development strategies. The DWCPs are based on the four pillars enshrined in the Agenda and combine their derivative policies, maximizing synergies as established among them when they are materialized at different policy levels and in concrete situations. It is an integrated approach to macro and micro policies, measures related to supply and demand, entrepreneurial development and the qualitative and quantitative aspects of employment. This approach is especially destined for specific disadvantaged or marginalized groups such as the older workers, disabled persons, indigenous peoples and the persons who work in the informal sector and in agriculture. Its implementation demands the mobilization of all actors at macro and micro level such as agencies, local and national governments, workers, employers, community-based organizations and donors. It aims to stimulate the creation of jobs and improve the existing ones while at the same time guaranteeing equal opportunities for women, youth and all the vulnerable sectors of the population. Actors agencies DECENT WORK Vulnerable Sectors local governments Specific marginalized national governments older workers workers employers mobilize destined to disabled persons informal workers community organizations indigenous peoples agricultural workers CO U N T RY PRO G R A M M E Purpose Create and improve the existing employment Guarantee equal opportunities for women, youth and vulnerable sectors One goal: Full employment and decent work

31 UNDAF: Implementing priorities UNDAF (United Nations Development Assistance Framework) is the UNCT strategic and collective response to contribute to develop and implement the individual country priorities, and serves as a framework to guide the efforts to provide support to a country. UNDAF defines certain areas of assistance based on national long-term priorities together with the comparative advantages of the United Nations System interventions in the country. They are elaborated following constantly updated guidelines, allowing enough flexibility to meet the challenges posed by the needs of countries and their expectations regarding United Nations compliance with its commitments. These guidelines are addressed to the UNCTs involved in strengthening the country analysis and preparing the UNDAFs. They explain the aims and expected outcomes, describing results based management and the results matrices, and clarify the responsibilities of the key process agents and the manner of implementation of the UNDAF. UNCT compliance with these guidelines requires a prior Country Common Assessment (CCA) together with the national governments before formulating the UN- DAF. The Assessment should include five main interrelated programming principles: the Human Rights Based Approach; Gender Equality; Environmental Sustainability; Results Based Management and Capacity Development. In turn, the employment and decent work aspects should be mainstreamed in this instance and during the implementation on the UNDAF, as upheld in the International Labour Standards and Conventions ratified by the countries with the participation of the Employers and Trade Union Organizations and the Toolkit for Mainstreaming of employment and decent work. 3. One goal: Full employment and decent work 31

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33 Toolkit DECENT Toolkit Toolkit for Mainstreaming Employment and Decent Work 5 Toolkit WORK Toolkit The High Level Committee on Programme (HLCP) of the CEB posed the need to elaborate a Toolkit for Mainstreaming of employment and decent work in the corresponding ambits. ILO was requested to cooperate with the other stakeholders in consultation with all the HLCP members and direct the preparation of the Toolkit. The Toolkit is a set of tools collectively created by all the UNS institutions to be applied separately or together to facilitate coherent policies in relation with the employment and decent work goal common to and shared by the entire System. Each area of activity in the individual agencies inevitably affects employment and decent work, and in turn is affected by the dynamic labour market and changes that occur in the market place. It is viewed as a self-assessment instrument for each of the Agencies in terms of their specific contributions to maximize the outcomes of the respective employment and decent work policies, programmes and activities. The Toolkit methodology aims to: - Serve as a lens to look from the Decent Work perspective - Assist the UNCT (UNDAF - Agencies) in the promotion of productive employment and decent work - Promote coherence within the system through the Delivering as One programme - Initiate a continual improvement process to mainstream decent work - Manage the knowledge to develop and share Tools within the system - Capacity training and awareness raising vis a vis the decent work concept 5. Toolkit for Mainstreaming Employment and decent Work 33

34 Components The Toolkit has several main components being developed and applied in an inclusive and participatory process, and for this reason may be considered as a further process rather that a finished product. The components are: A self-assessment check-list in the form of an awareness raising diagnostic questionnaire structured in sessions reflecting the four pillars of the Decent Work Agenda. An Interactive website ( for knowledge management and exchanging Tools for the systematic integration of employment and decent work. The Tools are contributed by agencies and national stakeholders, and may be practical, knowledge-based or good practices and lessons learnt from different countries and regions. Capacity development and awareness-raising to better understand the Decent Work Agenda and be prepared to apply it effectively. Toolkit country level application, with a self-assessment check-list initially prepared for the CEB member agencies, together with an additional list adapted to be used at country level. The Toolkit for Mainstreaming Employment and Decent Work at country level may be used by: - The United Nations Country Team (UNCT), collectively or as individual agencies. - The national, stakeholders, government ministries, employers and workers organizations and other development partners Toolkit for Mainstreaming Employment and decent Work

35 Synergies for a common purpose 6 That also include the ILO constituents The tripartite nature of ILO means that National Governments, Employers and Workers Organizations also form part of the efforts made by the United Nations Multilateral System regarding the employment and decent work goal. Multiple synergies and alliances are being instrumented at global, regional and national level among the specialized United Nations Multilateral System Agencies, Programmes, Commissions and Funds. By way of example we take note of some that respond to the crisis. The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and ILO jointly agreed to prioritize employment and decent work in a UNS action at country level to promote a consistent and inclusive inter-agency action together with the other Agencies, Programmes, Commissions and Funds for the Delivering as One initiative. On the other hand, Joint reports with an integrated approach to human development, employment and decent work have been issued at country level (Brazil, Costa Rica, etc.). The United Nations Children s Fund (UNICEF) and ILO have signed a cooperation agreement to strengthen their joint work and stimulate coordinated and effective actions in common areas that aims to encourage governments to enhance their commitments and standards, especially in relation to Conventions 138 on the minimal age for admission to employment and 182 on Child Labour, and is framed on the Hemispheric Decent Work Agenda for the Americas and the Ibero-American Agenda for Children and Youth. 6. Synergies for a common purpose 35

36 The Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC) and ILO in a follow-up to their inter-agency cooperative actions started to jointly issue since 2009 their Labour Conditions in Latin America and the Caribbean Bulletin that offers an overview of the manner how the crisis impacts on the labour-markets in the region. The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and ILO are jointly committed to focus on sustainable development for a fairer and more inclusive globalization. After signing several agreements the two agencies have begun to complement their respective capacities to assist the countries to eradicate hunger, child labour, rural poverty, and promote employment and decent work in the rural areas. The World Health Organization (WHO) and ILO together with the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank (WB) and others complement each other in the One Social Protection Floor joint programme to ensure the more vulnerable groups access to the basic social protection services in the current context of crisis. The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and ILO launched the Green Jobs initiative together with the International Trades Union Confederation (ITUC) and the International Organization of Employers (IOE). This initiative furthers a concerted effort to promote fair transitions to environmentally sustainable jobs and foster development in a world with climate difficulties. The Joint ILO/UNESCO Committee of Experts on the application of Recommendations on the status of teachers works to promote female teaching staff. The International Office for Migration (IOM) and ILO are founding members of the Geneva Migration Group that has recently become the Global Migration Group created in 2003 to strengthen the coordination and complementary character of labour migration activities Synergies for a common purpose

37 The United Nations Joint Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) and ILO together with their constituents have joined the global effort to fight against HIV/AIDS with the formulation of the ILO Code of Practice on HIV/AIDS in the World of Work. The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), the WB, UNDP, UNIFEM, FAO, UNICEF and ILO together with the Asian Development Bank (ADB), the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (UN ES- CWA), the Office of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Children and Armed Conflict (SRSG CAAC), United Nations Capital Development Fund (UNCDF), the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), among others, are working jointly in the implementation of a new UN effort to extend and maximally enhance the effectiveness of the employment and reintegration programmes in post-conflict situations. The World Trade Organization (WTO) and ILO have published a last report on globalization and informal employment in developing countries in which they systematize reliable statistics for the informal sector. Among other references, they demonstrate that there is less diversification of exports in countries with a more extensive informal sector; that informal sector workers have more difficulties to acquire the general knowledge they could use productively in a variety of jobs, and that the companies operating in the informal economy are generally small in size and find obstacles to growth that prevent them from offering good quality products and services. 6. Synergies for a common purpose 37

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39 DECENT WORK Millenium Development Goals and Decent Work 7 Achieve MDGs Human Rights The four pillars of Decent Work mainstreaming the MDGs become excellent instruments to achieve the MDGs insofar as they reflect the multifaceted, complex and inter-related character of the employment and decent work goals together with the wide spectrum of policies they affect or are affected by. Promotion of employment through the creation of a sustainable institutional and economic environment: - for societies to meet their economic development goals good living conditions social progress Development and increased social protection measures (social security and labour protection): - including measures to provide a basic income level, - to satisfy new needs and uncertainties created by technological, social, demographic and economic change. Promotion of social dialogue and tripartism: - favouring the promotion of integration policies - contributing to more governance and stability, from the institutions that encourage it - converting economic development into social progress, and social progress into economic development Respect, promote and transform the fundamental labour principles and rights into a reality: - not invoking or using the violation of these labour principles and rights as a legitimate comparative advantage - sustaining progress for poverty reduction reinforces democracy works for peace 7. Millenium Development Goals and Decent Work 39

40 How can Decent Work contribute to achieve the MDGs? Goal 1: Eradicate extreme poverty and hunger This goal contains a specific target clearly related with decent work: it details the scope of full and productive employment and decent work for all, including women and youth. Decent work is fundamental for the welfare of persons, as it not only contributes income but may also pave the way for a more advanced economic and social standing to strengthen individuals, their families and their communities. This makes the efforts to reduce poverty indispensable as a means to attain equitable, inclusive and sustainable development. Employment and decent work goal (Goal 1B, MDG 1) Acknowledging that decent and productive work for all is essential to tackle poverty and hunger, MDG 1 includes a new target and new indicators (convened in 2008): New MDG target 1B: Achieve full and productive employment and decent work for all, including women and young people This target contains four indicators directly and specifically related with employment New Employment Indicators: Growth rate of GDP per person employed Employment-to-population ratio Proportion of employed people living below the poverty line Proportion of own-account and contributing family workers in total employment (vulnerable employment rate) Millenium Development Goals and Decent Work

41 Goal 2: Achieve universal primary education Assuming that a child who has received an education is more capable to escape poverty, the Decent Work Agenda promotes a universally accessible, obligatory and free-of-charge schooling, supporting the rights of teachers and fostering labour conditions to enable them to provide quality education (which is as important as enrolment) Family income and the availability of decent work for adults are determining factors in parents decision to send their children or not to school. Furthermore, the elimination of child labour is clearly linked with education because work deprives children from their childhood and denies them the chance to attend school. Goal 3: Promote gender equality and empower women Equality is contained in the fundamental labour principles and rights, and is projected in the promotion of equal opportunities to access employment and social promotion initiatives, and bridges the gender gap in education and women s social training. On the other hand, social dialogue is a gender equality defence instrument. This goal also contains an indicator focused on the share of women in wage employment in the non-agricultural sector. 7. Millenium Development Goals and Decent Work 41

42 Goal 4: Reduce child mortality In this goal decent work is reflected in the attention paid to working mothers, health workers, the fight against child labour and the extension of social protection. These social security and labour protection measures address this goal by promoting access to family medical care benefits, investment in human resources and infrastructure in the field of health, maternity protection for all female workers, good safety and health levels. Goal 5: Improve maternal health The protection maternity in female workers is a basic human right, and at the same time a key element for gender equality. The Decent Work Agenda focuses on maternal morbidity and promotes through the protection of maternity for all female workers during pregnancy, delivery and breast-feeding, the extension of access to health services and social security programmes, improved education, employment and the condition of girls and women. Goal 6: Combat HIV/AIDS, malaria and other diseases The integrated promotion of the right to employment, to generate income and to social protection, where AIDS is perceived as a problem in the workplace, are all included within the Framework of the Decent Work Agenda. The promotion of social protection contributes to ensure better health services and treat a broad spectrum of diseases Millenium Development Goals and Decent Work

43 Goal 7: Ensure environmental sustainability Sustainable development ensuring sustainable manners of living is a central element of the Global Employment Programme inscribed in the Decent Work Agenda. Employment should be environmentally sustainable, and this requires the formulation of environmental and social policies, and governments counting with employers and workers participation. Safe working conditions are a key element to prevent accidents in the workplace that could give rise to severe environmental catastrophes, and possible contamination caused by the use of chemical substances and pesticides. Goal 8: Developing a Global partnership for Development This goal combines the responsibilities of developing and developed countries that strive to build a fair globalization in many areas (equality in the multilateral system, youth employment, technology and assistance for development, among others). Globalization has the potential to promote open societies, more productive economies and a freer exchange of goods, and this entire process is only fairer when opportunities are created to offer more and better jobs. Focalization on decent work as a part of development at national and global level contributes to accelerate the progress towards the major goal. 7. Millenium Development Goals and Decent Work 43