Major programme 180. Publications

Summary of 1998-99 proposals and comparison with previous biennium (including funds from other sources)

180.1. The objective of all ILO publications is to reinforce the reputation of the Organization as a centre for excellence and point of reference on issues related to labour and employment. In order to achieve this objective, the resources of this major programme will be focused on the preparation of books and serial publications that are judged to be highly relevant to important policy debates on issues affecting employment and the social partners. Emphasis will continue to be placed on ensuring that editorial, production and marketing practices are consistent with the standards of the publishing industry for the various types of book and reference materials produced by the Office.

180.2. In comparison with the biennium 1996-97, the regular budget resources for this major programme have been reduced by some $1,969,000. Most of these savings are a direct result of the decisions made by the Governing Body in November 1995; namely the reorganization of the documents and publication services, resulting in a saving of $660,000; savings of $703,000 under the World Labour Report; and savings of some $300,000 from printing credits. A further reduction of $228,000 has been made in the International Labour Review by changing its periodicity. In addition, following the internal restructuring of the publication services and in anticipation of the increase in the income of the Publications Revolving Fund, a further saving of some $78,000 can be made in non-staff costs. The above savings have resulted in a total reduction in the staffing level of the major programme by 7/00 Professional and 5/00 General Service work-years.

180.3. In addition to the regular budget resources, it is expected that a total of $6.1 million will be made available to the major programme in 1998-99 from the Publications Revolving Fund (see end of chapter). Over $2 million of the projected income from publications in 1998-99 is related to sales of the printed and CD-ROM versions of the Fourth edition of the Encyclopaedia of Occupational Health and Safety.

International Labour Review

180.4. The International Labour Review disseminates the results of original research and policy analysis by experts in different disciplines, expressing their reasoned views on questions concerning human and labour rights, discrimination, employment and social protection. In addition, it presents perspectives on current and emerging issues in labour and employment policy, labour-management relations, working conditions, labour law and judicial decisions. It contributes to a wider understanding of labour and employment issues and an informed national and international debate on social and economic policy.

180.5. To increase its impact and broaden its audience, greater use will be made of electronic means of promoting the Review and disseminating leading articles, both directly and in collaboration with other publishers of electronic materials. In order to guarantee its timely publication and reduce costs, the Review will become a quarterly publication.

Editorial development and management

180.6. The work of this subprogramme will be focused on book projects that contribute to the increased visibility of the Office. The introduction of the editorial development function will be reflected in the types and quality of manuscripts published during the biennium 1998-99. Editorial development consists of providing early support to author units in the process of developing manuscripts and is closely related to the process of reviewing and selecting publications.

180.7. Between 40 and 60 policy studies and departmental monographs that are considered to be relevant to issues of core concern to the ILO will be produced. Most ILO books can be published only in the language in which they have been written, unless project funding is available for other language versions, as in the case of workers’ education manuals and ILO policy studies. However, the possibility of translating titles that can command a sizeable audience if made available locally in one or several other language editions will be explored through external publishers.

Book production, marketing and sales administration

180.8. Provision is made under this subprogramme for the functions required to turn a finished manuscript into a printed book available to readers worldwide. These functions include book production, marketing and sales administration. The subprogramme is responsible for administering the printing budget for the 40 to 60 titles that will be produced as ILO publications. Opportunities to outsource the design, composition, printing and binding of monographs and educational or training materials will be explored in order to lower production costs so that ILO books can be sold at prices that are affordable in developing countries and in transition economies. Continued emphasis will also be placed on the electronic dissemination of books and articles, including the development of a sales capability via the Internet to provide more immediate service to customers and constituents.

180.9. The marketing operations of the subprogramme will focus on strengthening activities related to promotion, sales, customer service and order processing. Targeted promotional information will be provided to interested readers and cost effectiveness of direct mail efforts will be increased. A series of publicity campaigns to increase the visibility of the ILO and its principal publications in the policy-making, academic and library communities will also be undertaken in collaboration with major programme 235 (Public information). Marketing work will be carried out in close collaboration with the field structure to promote publications that are of particular relevance in the regions. Promotional materials will be provided for use in conferences and for direct mail to training centres and libraries, as well as to the academic community. Marketing operations will result in a revenue increase in the biennium 1998-99 of $2.3 million, which is 48 per cent higher than in the biennium 1996-97; this anticipated increase is mainly due to the sales of the Encyclopaedia of Occupational Health and Safety.

180.10. Sales administration activities will include the development and management of the new financial reporting system, which will cover title accounting, sales, inventory and customer database systems in headquarters and field offices.

Programme management and support

180.11. Provision is made under this subprogramme for departmental management and the administration of rights and permissions. Work in relation to rights and permissions involves promoting and negotiating agreements covering translations, reprints, reproductions and other uses for which external publishers and institutions throughout the world are granted subsidiary rights, and the administration of all licensed ILO copyright material. It is foreseen that during the biennium some 140 translations will be negotiated and administered and some 60 reprint agreements concluded to broaden the dissemination of ILO books and training materials through low-cost editions. Increased emphasis will be placed on the translation of ILO materials into the languages of Eastern and Central Europe.

Publications Revolving Fund (US$)

¹ To assist with updating of CD-ROM version and other projects related to the Encylopaedia of Occupational Health and Safety. ² The estimates for sales staff are calculated at actual cost.

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