This discussion paper has been prepared by the ILO for a high level meeting of Ministers of Public Works and Labour in conjunction with the 12th Regional Seminar for Labour-based Practitioners in Durban in October 2007. The paper briefly outlines the challenges ahead, the technological approach and its benefits. It highlights commitments that have been made at Global, Regional and National levels in terms of employment creation and poverty reduction through infrastructure investments, and provides some points for further discussion.
It is hoped that this background paper will contribute to stimulate debate, in particular on how we can translate commitments into practical action. It is further hoped that the high level meeting presents and discusses at the Seminar a common view on the approaches, provides advice and recommendations to Seminar participants on how to take the employment-intensive investment agenda forward.