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Events in the international community |
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Special Session of the UN
General Assembly: New York, 6-8 June 2001 |
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Statement made to the Committee of the Whole on behalf of the ILO Cities are places to work as much as they are places to live. To absorb the growing number of people in urban centres, local governments face a huge task. One of the key challenges is to help create productive employment locally, and to improve its quality. The Habitat Report on the State of the World’s Cities 2001 recognizes the importance of the urban economy. It shows the vital contribution of the informal sector in providing the urban poor with a basic income. But despite the huge need for shelter, roads, transport, drinking water and waste removal, many of those living in cities remain unemployed or underemployed. The challenge is to open up sufficient decent employment opportunities so that cities will function better. The prevailing poverty in both rural and urban settlements, and the shortage of remunerative jobs, are at the root of deprivation and exclusion. The draft Declaration takes note of the rapidly increasing urban population, and of the imperative need for productive employment opportunities for all. An integrated approach to poverty alleviation, slum upgrading and environmental protection puts job creation at the heart of the urban agenda. A case study presented by Tanzania for the Thematic Committee notes two examples where the employment impact of urban service delivery has been maximized. Drainage construction and solid waste collection can be done effectively by community groups and small enterprises. It is possible to create jobs while also making cities healthier places. Local authorities are key to the successful management of cities. Also critically important are community groups, and representative organizations of workers and employers. Moreover, public-private partnerships, which the draft Declaration welcomes, are a good basis for urban social dialogue seeking “voice” for the under-represented, and engaging their energies in the active improvement of their condition. Examples exist in many places, like Dar es Salaam, El Salvador and Honduras. Many secondary towns now develop economic plans in consultation with community organizations and small business representatives. The Durban municipal council in South Africa has just adopted an informal sector policy on the basis of extensive participation, notably of street vendors. The draft Declaration addresses the risks of globalization, the threat to the environment and the exclusion of the poor in the urban setting. This is a significant step toward greater coherence among international initiatives: notably between the Declaration itself, and the outcome of the World Summit for Social Development in June 2000. Yet, despite such progress, adequately integrated efforts to break the vicious circle of unemployment, poverty and social exclusion continue to elude us. The outcome of the Special Session will provide guidance to the ILO’s constituents as they are preparing for a number of mayor international events on employment, notably on youth employment, and on the global informal economy. In November 2001, the ILO, responding to a mandate by the General Assembly, will convene a Global Employment Forum to address the challenge of 500 million new entrants to the global labour force over the next decade, most of them young people. The ILO is participating in the Secretary General’s Youth Employment Network, which focuses on the aspirations and frustrations of this fast-growing part of the urban labour force. The ILO Background Paper prepared for this Special Session elaborates further the link between urban poverty reduction and employment promotion – copies have been placed at the back of the room for the further information of delegates. The persistent gap between the needs and the rights of the poor, and the chance to build a decent life, is appalling. We must match the desire of millions to live in sustainable, secure settlements with their need also for work. Through pro-poor investment strategies, such as labour-based methods of slum upgrading, many new jobs can be created. And much more can be done through supporting micro and small enterprises, and improving social protection for their workers. Jobs must be at the heart of urban upgrading. If we want cities to work, we should improve the work of the poor. More and better jobs must be created in response to the huge demand for better living conditions, and for a decent environment in urban settlements. Employment is a priority for mayors and city governments from all regions of the world and should be therefore top-most on the future urban agenda. The ILO’s mandate from the international community is to promote the policies and institutions that can promote social justice and drive employment. This includes respect for fundamental principles and rights at work, promoting social dialogue and strengthening and extending social protection. It is possible, indeed essential,
Moreover, all of this can be compatible with sound environmental management. In conclusion, the ILO works towards achieving productive and integrated local economies, in partnership with International Agencies, Governments, municipal authorities and representative organizations, for the strengthening of urban governance. Concerted action is the indispensable building block for transforming poor urban settlements into prosperous, sustainable, “Cities at Work”. |
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Updated by AD. Approved by MAD. Last update: 4 October 2001.
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