Tripartite Meeting on the Best Practices in Work-Flexibility Schemes
and their Impact on the Quality of Working Life in the Chemical Industries

Geneva, 27-31 October 2003

Today, the chemical industries are facing major challenges, especially with regard to changes in work flexibility. World employment in the chemical industries has lost over one million jobs in the past decade, particularly in countries with economies in transition. However, in Asia (with the exception of Japan), employment in the chemical industries employment is increasing, sometime significantly and, in the developed countries at least, employment in the major chemical companies has been relatively stable, showing only a slight decline in the last decade.

Performance-related pay systems have been introduced in many countries and competence is now a central element in determining remuneration, promotion and career development. As a result, wages are focused more on the individual worker and his performance than on a particular job category.

The chemical industry is still male-dominated, with women working mainly in administrative and office areas. Most women managers are to be found in legal, human resources, public affairs and other administrative positions. The existence of work-life balance policies allows both men and women workers to continue to develop their careers. But some shift schedules are difficult to reconcile with human life.

Continuous shift schedules dominate working time in the chemical industries, although some of them are difficult to reconcile with daily life . Compressed workweek schedules or 12-hour shifts can benefit shift workers and enterprises alike; for example, shift workers have more days off than those working other types of shift schedules, thus enhancing their quality of life. Enterprises benefit by obtaining the continuous operations they need. However, a number of social and health issues must be addressed when developing shift work patterns.

Changes in industrial relations in the chemical industries have led the social partners to enhance sectoral social dialogue as a means of addressing key bargaining issues, one of which is work flexibility.

The purpose of this meeting will be to discuss the development and application of flexible working arrangements and their impact on employment, working conditions, skills development and career prospects in the chemical industries, using a report prepared by the Office as the basis for its discussions; to highlight the role of social dialogue and identify best practice in work flexibility; and to adopt conclusions that include proposals for action by governments, by employers' and workers' organizations and by the ILO. The meeting may also adopt resolutions.

The meeting will be composed of delegates from interested governments, 20 Employer representatives and 20 Worker representatives appointed by the Governing Body of the ILO after consultations with the respective groups.

A report, entitled Best Practices in Work-Flexibility Schemes and their Impact on the Quality of Working Life in the Chemical Industries (pdf, 861k) has been prepared by the International Labour Office as a basis for discussion.

Contact address for more information

Mr Yasuhiko Kamakura
Chemicals Specialist
International Labour Office
4 route des Morillons
CH-1211 GENEVA 22, Switzerland
Tel. +41 22 799 8434 Fax +41 22 799 7967
E-mail: kamakura@ilo.org or sector@ilo.org