For those documents that are not available for download in PDF, please contact the Social Finance Programme secretariat for a copy: SFP@ilo.org

WP 46: Assessing Indebtedness: Results from Pilot Survey among Steelworkers in Sao Paulo - (pdf 726 Kb)
Bonnie Brusky and Reginaldo Sales Magalhães, 2007

The paper presents the findings of a needs and demand analysis for financial education, among worker organizations in São Paulo (Central Única dos Trabalhadores, Confederação Geral dos Trabalhadores, Social Democracia Sindical, Força Sindical, Central Autônoma de Trabalhadores). Carried out in October 2004, the survey found that there was a lack of knowledge about worker indebtedness. All interviewees expressed interest in learning more about the possible need for financial education, the CUT-affiliated Steelworkers Union of the ABC region of São Paulo showed strong interest in a study of the level of indebtedness of its members.

WP 44: Overindebtedness in Germany - (pdf 690 Kb)
Oliver J. Haas, 2006

Statistics of over-indebtedness in high income countries show that among young adults in many Western European countries there is a disturbing tendency for private insolvency to increase. The document examines the extent of the issue, the causes and effects.

WP 43: Surendettement des particuliers en France: Quels rôles pour les syndicats? - (pdf 941 Kb)
Georges Gloukoviezoff, 2006

Following the November 2005 decision by the ILO Governing Body to integrate microfinance into the decent work agenda, one of the issues that social partner organizations are particularly interested in is the need for capacities to advise and assist members in relation to wage protection and consumer rights. Overindebtedness following the loss of a job is increasingly exposing the vulnerability of wage earners and welfare recipients. Given their responsibilities in collective bargaining and wage protection the question emerges what role trade unions could play in this regard. To throw light on the practices in a selected number of countries the Social Finance Programme commissioned surveys of the involvement of worker organizations in counselling on overindebtedness in Brazil, France and Germany.