Madagascar

Since 1992, the ILO has been collaborating with several Agencies, UNDP (United Nations Development Programme), UNICEF (United Nations Childrens' Fund) , WHO (World Health Organization), EU/CARE, UNCDF (United Nations Capital Development Fund), etc., to implement a large scale rehabilitation reconstruction programme set up in the aftermath of several destructive cyclones on the East and South coasts of Madagascar. The ILO's contribution consists of (i) training and capacity building for small and medium-sized labour-based contractors of the building sector, and (ii) the promotion of contracting systems and procedures that ensure that contractors have better access to public markets and that workers benefit from better working conditions. The programme is likely to be expanded to the education sector, and possibly the health sector, with financial support from NORAD.

A community multisectoral investment programme, funded by UNDP, UNCDF and EU, was set up in the late 1980s as a "Social Dimension of Adjustment" component aiming at alleviating poverty and stabilising employment in defined areas of the country. Work has been carried out both by small contractors and by beneficiary communities, based on participatory approaches. The positive results achieved under this programme have led to the inclusion of an "investment for the poor" component in a forthcoming countrywide poverty alleviation programme of UNDP. The establishment of technical support units at decentralized level has proven to be very effective in promoting cost-effective productive and social investments and providing training to the private sector and to community-based organisations. UNDP support for the technical assistance team has however come to an end in June 1999.

The first phase of the NORAD supported demonstration project of labour-based road rehabilitation and maintenance in the Antsirabe Region was successfully completed. The project included elements of small contractor training, policy advice at central level, and maintenance by road users. Contractor personnel of more than 50 firms (chefs d'entreprise, chefs de chantier and chefs d'équipe) and core staff of the Ministère de Travaux Publics have received extensive practical and theoretical training in contract management and the effective running of labour-based road sector projects. In the present NORAD/EU/GTZ/World Bank funded phase that started in 1995, the project emphasizes in particular the development of training manuals and contract documentation suitable for labour-based road works. By the end of 1997 the labour-based road training centre in the Antsirabe Region has been transformed into a non-profit organization with the purpose of training small contractors in labour-based road works. In May 1997 an Association of Labour-Based Small and Medium Size Contractors was established. Furthermore, the ILO has initiated a study with the Ministry of Labour in developing appropriate working conditions of the labour force, in particular temporary village workers. A series of training manuals for labour-based SMEs was published in June 1999. A new phase of the programme has been prepared in 1999, covering the years 20002003. It is likely to be supported by NORAD.

Madagascar Urban Infrastructure Upgrading

In 1993/1994 a World Bank funded Social Fund was established, called SECALINE, consisting of four components: (i) an Investment Fund for Development (FID), (ii) an Urban labour-intensive poverty alleviation component (HIMO Urban), (iii) a nutrition and health component and (iv) a sensitisation/information component. At the request of the World Bank, the ILO prepared the objectives, principles, rules and regulations of the FID, which consists basically of private contractors execution of public works in the rural areas of two provinces. The FID is operating as a private sector agency, there is no further direct technical assistance from the ILO. However, FID is sending contractors and consulting engineers to the HIMO Routes Training Centre in Antsirabe.

The HIMO urban component has been directly executed by the ILO. The objective has been to reach directly those poverty groups which are too destitute to find employment through the private sector development strategy. HIMO urban has therefore been implemented by force account. However, community contracts (basically for maintenance works) have been promoted under the project. The project (two thirds of the project's employees are women) has had an important impact as a "safety net" for the poorest, both in terms of minimum income, food/nutrition and health. WB/SECALINE support came to an end in December 1998. A new programme proposal, covering 6 cities, has been prepared for submission to the EU. Moreover, WFP has programmed a food-for-work contribution for a HIMO urban programme in the South; however, no donor support is yet available for the technical assistance and operational costs.

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