Poverty reduction strategy papers: a guide for employers' organizations

In the fight against poverty, poverty reduction strategy papers (PRSP) are the principle response of the international community in the forumlation of national development strategies that are fully supported by donor agencies. The World Bank and the International Monetary Fund are the key agencies driving PRSPs, but other agencies including (and increasingly) the ILO are also playing a role.

PRSPs are crucially about policy change and priority setting at the national level. The scope for employers' organizations to influence the direction of such a process can be considerable. In addition to guiding policies, particularly those influencing the business environment, employers' organizations may also take advantage of their participation in PRS processes to build alliances with their stakeholders involved in policy making.