Like Fiji, the Solomon Islands, Decent Work Country Programme is underway. The first workshop on the development of a Decent Work Country Programme was held on the 28th of July 2003 in Honiara. The workshop was attended by all major ministries, employers' and workers' organizations and other stakeholders.

The process of developing the ILO's Country Programme of assistance to the Solomon Islands began in 1998 under a broad theme focussing on "promoting change" that was identified by the Solomon Island constituents.

The major focus of the country programme was: Human Rights and Good Governance; Employment Promotion; Human Resource Development and Productivity Improvement; and Capacity Building of Constituents. The country programme could not be put into operation due to ethnic conflict.

The current initiative promoting the Decent Work Plan of Action concentrates on the following areas:

Sector 1- Standards & Fundamental Principals & Rights at Work

1. Ratification of one fundamental convention (C29)
2. A study on youth and employment
3. A comprehensive review/audit of the functions of the Department of Labour has been completed.
4. A workshop on the audit report is being scheduled.

Sector 2- Decent Employment & Income for all

The following technical cooperation programmes are in operation focusing on job creation at different levels:

1. Solomon Islands Industries Rehabilitation and Retention Taskforce
2. Employment Generation & Economic Recovery through the Rehabilitation and Maintenance of Infrastructure Using Labour-based, Equipment Supported Tech.
3. In addition to this ILO has been participating in the development of interagency (UN) project - 'Isabel' on Provincial Development Support Programme.
4. Participation on sub-regional Labour Market Information workshop and youth employment.

Sector 3- Social Protection for all

1. A study on the Solomon Islands Provident Fund has been completed
2. A review mission was undertaken to implement the recommendations of the study.
3. Following training on Occupational Safety and Health, the development of a OSH Policy is being considered.
4. Development of HIV/AIDS at the workplace policy is being developed and will be implemented soon with the employers and workers organizations under a joint UN project for five South Pacific Countries.

Sector 4 - Social Dialogue & tripartism

1. The major challenge under Sector 4 is to bring the ILO Constituents back to dialogue on economic & social issues. Under this strategic objective, development of institutional capacity of the workers' and employers' organizations will be a major challenge.
2. Study on globalization and its impact on workers' rights.

Other Activities:

In 2000, the ILO facilitated a Solomon Islands Expert Group Meeting in Brisbane soon after signing of the Marau Peace Treaty. This was followed by a Reconstruction and Rehabilitation Programme mission in accordance with the Peace Treaty.

Short-term measures, such as an employment intensive infrastructure programme to create jobs and at the same time, provide skills training for income generation and employment have been initiated under this programme.