SECTOR Working Paper No. 327

Promoting decent work in the rural economy: Lessons from Zimbabwe (2008–2018)

This paper, a desk review, presents a documentation of ILO interventions in Zimbabwe’s rural economy during the period 2008–18 that also extracts lessons learnt.

The paper presents a situational analysis of the rural economy in Zimbabwe, challenges in the labour market and a summary of the ILO’s intervention strategy to promote more and better jobs. It summarises key achievements over the last decade of work and some of the key lessons learnt. Most notable lessons are how national ownership can be enhanced by locally led implementation structures; how to ensure greater engagement of tripartite partners; managing risks and that pursuing several decent work-related objectives at the same time produces solutions that are more lasting.