Means of Assistance - PRODIAF

Activities

The overall strategy of PRODIAF is to undertake and consolidate its work in the promotion of social dialogue and the prevention of social conflict with particular emphasis on countries coming out of crisis (Burundi, Democratic Republic of Congo, Côte d’Ivoire, Rwanda, and Togo).

Training

In order to reinforce the capacities of professional negotiators in charge of labour disputes resolution, as well as those of the social partners, PRODIAF and the ILO Training Centre have developed two training manuals, one dealing with negotiation, the other with conciliation and mediation.

PRODIAF and the Turin Centre will continue to hold training workshops in French speaking Central African countries and the Great Lakes region. Inspection missions will be undertaken in Portuguese and English speaking countries.

At the conclusion of each training session, the trainees (labour inspectors, labour ministry officials and social partners) will be able to work as mediators in labour disputes. The participating social partners will be able to judge and discuss the value of mediation, as well as its techniques and processes.

Network

PRODIAF has helped put in place a network of social dialogue experts in the French speaking countries of Central Africa and the Great Lakes region. At the meeting which initiated this creation of this network (Kigali, 18-20 May 2005), numerous participants expressed a need to strengthen the capacity of government officials as well as of social partners to mediate and conciliate labour disputes.

Studies

The diagnostic studies on the state of social dialogue in the countries where PRODIAF is active as well as those of regional economic organizations (WAEMU, CEMAC, and CEPGL) make use of local expertise to the extent possible.

Capitalization and Diffusion

In order to capitalize upon and disseminate PRODIAF’s experience, a tenth anniversary meeting will be organized with the “the role of social dialogue in countries coming out of crisis” as the central theme.

Furthermore, a publication on best practises learned will be published and presented on the occasion of the tenth anniversary. Indicators of the impact of social dialogue will be gathered so as to allow for the possible transfer of experience to other countries. A website and bi-monthly newsletter will be made available to spread the experience of PRODIAF and generate on-line discussion.