Trade for Decent Work (Africa funded by Finland)

A dynamic boost was given to this collaboration when the ILO and the EC launched on 1 January 2019 the Trade for Decent Work Project, contributing to the United-Nations Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 8 . The project operates within a framework including a Global Facility providing global initiatives in the area of ILS and ad hoc support to specific needs arising in partner countries; and a Country-focused Facility supporting each year a number of target countries. In 2019, the project started its action in three Asian countries. In 2021, the project now covers the following countries in Asia: Bangladesh, Mongolia, Myanmar, Pakistan, Philippines and Viet Nam. The project also covers the following countries in Africa: Cabo Verde, Côte d'Ivoire, Ghana, Madagascar and Mozambique. In addition, the project also contributes to specific ad/hoc activities in the following countries in Latin America: Ecuador and Peru. The expansion of the project exemplifies the EU strong support to the ILO work regarding the application of the Fundamental Conventions. In July 2021, the Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland and the ILO signed an agreement to develop the action of the project in the five beneficiary countries in Africa. This new voluntary contribution from Finland demonstrates its support to the ILO’s mandate and to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. It enables to supplement the activities of the project in the following areas : i) reinforcing the implementation of International Labour Conventions; ii) strengthening the capacity of the labour inspection to actively contribute to the national processes to comply to ILS; iii) promoting responsible business conduct through engagement and dialogue with private sector; and iv) encouraging awareness in the area of the just transition and the green economy and their link with ILS. The project’s objectives are focused on four overarching components:Strengthening the capacity of constituents to actively participate in national processes to comply with International Labour Standards (ILS), particularly the Fundamental Conventions. Consolidating the institutional capacity of the governments and social partners to fulfil reporting obligations regarding ILS, and concurrently abiding by its commitments to the EC to accept regular monitoring in accordance with international conventions. Strengthening institutional frameworks to facilitate social dialogue, conflict resolution and industrial relations in order to enhance the implementation of ILS; The project is promoting the ILO Tripartite Declaration of Principles concerning Multinational Enterprises and Social Policy (2017) , referenced in EU Trade for All Policy and sustainability chapters of EU Trade agreements through trainings of key actors (e.g. OECD National Contact Points) and dedicated events bringing together business and civil society, policymakers and international organizations. Enhancing the capacity of tripartite constituents and other stakeholders such as the judiciary, parliamentarians, civil society organizations, human rights institutions, to advocate on the promotion and implementation of ILS.

Project symbol

RAF/21/08/FIN

Admin unit

CO-Abidjan
CO-Abuja
CO-Antananarivo
CO-Lusaka
DWT/CO-Dakar
NORMES

Start date

01/07/2021

End date

30/06/2023

Total allocation

987177

Total expenditure

Status

Closed

987177

Development Partners

Finland, Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Country/Countries

Cote d'Ivoire
Madagascar
Mozambique
Cabo Verde
Ghana
Global

Outcomes

Outcome 6: Gender equality and equal opportunities and treatment for all in the world of work
Outcome 2: International labour standards and authoritative and effective supervision
Outcome 7: Adequate and effective protection at work for all
Outcome 4: Sustainable enterprises as generators of employment and promoters of innovation and decent work
Outcome 3: Economic, social and environmental transitions for full, productive and freely chosen employment and decent work for all
Outcome 1: Strong tripartite constituents and influential and inclusive social dialogue