The Work Improvement in Neighbourhood Development (WIND) programme was originally developed in Viet Nam, where it has been implemented through the local village health network and has built up a large network of farmer-trainers. The WIND programme draws its principles and approach from the WISE (Work Improvements in Small Enterprises) approach for improving working conditions in small and medium enterprises, emphasizing simple improvements that build on good local practice and link improvements in working conditions to benefits in terms of family priorities such as increased productivity and income, improved family health, etc. The methodology, which underlines the importance of equal participation by men and women in rural families, gives particular attention to the problems and priorities of women.

The agricultural sector in Viet Nam which employs 58 per cent of the country's total workforce is also one of the most dangerous, and farmers are exposed to many accidents and work-related diseases each year. The Viet Nam Chapter of the ILO/Japan Regional Programme for Capacity Building of Occupational Safety and Heath (OSH) in Agriculture was launched in May 2004 and helps the Government formulate a national programme on occupational safety and health and assist farmers improve their living and working conditions. Nguyen Van Theu, National Project Coordinator of the ILO, reports from Viet Nam. [ Read more ]

The WIND training materials have proved to be very effective in promoting improvements in rural communities. They help farmers to improve their working conditions and incomes, through, for example, a network of cooperatives or women's organizations. The themes addressed by local training include: Materials storage and handling; Work station design and work tools; Machine safety; Work environment and control of hazardous agents; Welfare facilities; Work organization. Subjects are presented under the form of advice and suggestions inducing farmers to identify improvements to be made in their working and living areas. The advantages for the farmers and their families, and also those for the local community, are outlined. The trainers regularly visit the farms to encourage improvements, report on the progress made and, when possible, take pictures of the improvements that could be used for future training.

For the last 3 years, collaboration among TRAVAIL, SECTOR and CIS at ILO Headquarters and the regional and sub-regional offices concerned, has permitted this programme to be undertaken in 4 countries : Kirgyzstan, Moldova, Senegal and Ethiopia. The ILO has also made considerable progress for developing WIND in Central America as well as in Thailand, Philippines, Cambodia and Mongolia.