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A sectoral approach to social and labour issues
The purpose of this information is to familiarize the ILO's field structure, other organizations, and the wider public with the sectoral work of the ILO. The information covered includes:
Sectoral activitiesWherever a person earns his or her livelihood -- in a classroom or a factory, on a building site or in a bank, in an office or on a boat, down a mine or on a farm -- each works in a sector of the economy that has its own technical, economic and social characteristics. As a result of these special features, many labour issues have a specifically sectoral character; and general issues -- such as globalization, flexible work organization, the implications of structural and technological change, and the situation of special groups such as children, women and migrant workers -- may take different forms depending on the sectoral context. In recognition of that fact the ILO developed a sectoral activities programme as early as the 1940s. Sectoral activities in the ILOThe Sectoral Activities Department, part of the Social Dialogue sector in the ILO, has main responsibility for the ILO's activities of a sectoral nature, although other technical departments also carry out some sector-specific work. The general objective of the Department's activities is to facilitate the exchange of information among ILO constituents (employer and worker organizations and relevant government departments, usually ministries of labour) on labour and social developments relevant to particular economic sectors. This information exchange is supported by practically oriented research on topical sectoral issues, in keeping with the overall ILO programme. The Department also provides advisory services and carries out sector-specific technical cooperation. Capacity-buildingThe Programme and the Department aim to improve the capacity of sectoral constituents to deal equitably and effectively with labour issues in the sectors concerned, and more specifically:
Sectors coveredRegular, continuing attention is given to 22 groups of sectors, through four teams. These teams and the groups of sectors they deal with are:
Other sectors or subsectors may be dealt with on an ad hoc basis as the need arises. Sectoral meetingsThe holding of international sectoral meetings has traditionally been the main activity of the Department, and continues to be an important one. About 12 five-day meetings are held in a two-year period. The geographical and group (employers', workers' and government representatives) make-up of each meeting is determined so as to make the participants as representative as possible of the various stakeholders in the sector worldwide. Typically, from 15 to 30 delegates from each group attend. One outcome of most meetings is agreed conclusions that serve as guidelines for policies and measures for dealing with labour issues in the sector concerned -- at the national level and by the ILO. Practical action to follow up meetingsThere is increased emphasis on action to follow up meetings, including collaboration with field offices. These actions may include national sectoral workshops (tripartite or joint depending on the sector); sectoral information networks, using print and/or electronic means; and the promotion of sectoral standards, where appropriate. There is the possibility of new, inventive forms of cooperation between the Department, the field offices, and the sectoral constituents. Suggestions are sought to that end. The information contained in this section is also available in printed format: the Sectoral Activities Briefing Kit. Copies are available on request to the Sectoral Activities Department. Comments on this package and requests for further information may be sent to: Ms. Cleopatra Doumbia-Henry Mr. Norman Jennings, Mr. Bill Ratteree Mr. Dani Appave
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