Slideshow
Progress on Sustainable Development Goals will depend on promotion of sustainable rural livelihoods
Over 80 per cent of the poor in developing and emerging countries live in rural areas and nearly two-thirds of the working extreme poor are employed in agriculture.
Over 80 per cent of the poor in developing and emerging countries live in rural areas and nearly two-thirds of the working extreme poor are employed in agriculture. Rural livelihoods deserve particular attention since they play a major role in eradicating poverty and inequalities, and in meeting the Sustainable Developments Goals. Decent work for all cannot be achieved unless greater emphasis is placed on rural economies, where decent work deficits are pervasive and persistent.
A Meeting of Experts taking place in Geneva from 26-30 September 2016 is looking at the best ways to promote sustainable livelihoods in several key areas. The purpose of the Meeting of Experts is to adopt policy guidelines for the promotion of sustainable livelihoods, specifically targeting the agro-food sectors. The guidelines would help constituents to address decent work issues in these sectors at the national level. Topics to be discussed in the meeting will include the following:
A Meeting of Experts taking place in Geneva from 26-30 September 2016 is looking at the best ways to promote sustainable livelihoods in several key areas. The purpose of the Meeting of Experts is to adopt policy guidelines for the promotion of sustainable livelihoods, specifically targeting the agro-food sectors. The guidelines would help constituents to address decent work issues in these sectors at the national level. Topics to be discussed in the meeting will include the following:
Access to markets, technology and services
Increased access to markets can provide a reliable source of demand for agricultural production. Cooperatives play an important role as they improve access to markets and technology, help generate income for their members, and provide an avenue for enterprises and service providers to reach an otherwise often inaccessible smallholder sector. Extending financial services to remote areas allows rural populations to access savings, insurance, loans, or payment services, which help to improve productivity and to better protect against shocks.
Increased access to markets can provide a reliable source of demand for agricultural production. Cooperatives play an important role as they improve access to markets and technology, help generate income for their members, and provide an avenue for enterprises and service providers to reach an otherwise often inaccessible smallholder sector. Extending financial services to remote areas allows rural populations to access savings, insurance, loans, or payment services, which help to improve productivity and to better protect against shocks.
Rural infrastructure
Employment-intensive investments in infrastructure development such as schools, hospitals, water facilities, communication, electricity and roads can create jobs in agriculture and non-agricultural sectors. Whilst providing much needed employment opportunities, these investments are necessary for the development of quality public and private services and reduce transaction costs through improved access to information, knowledge and resources. As such, infrastructure strengthens rural-urban linkages and improves the connection of rural economies to wider markets stimulating rural growth.
Employment-intensive investments in infrastructure development such as schools, hospitals, water facilities, communication, electricity and roads can create jobs in agriculture and non-agricultural sectors. Whilst providing much needed employment opportunities, these investments are necessary for the development of quality public and private services and reduce transaction costs through improved access to information, knowledge and resources. As such, infrastructure strengthens rural-urban linkages and improves the connection of rural economies to wider markets stimulating rural growth.
Skills development
Skills and education deficits are often acute in rural areas, particularly for women. It is therefore important to invest in the development of a skilled workforce in the agro-food sectors through high quality systems of education, training and lifelong learning, taking into account the needs of the rural economy. Skills are central to improving employability and productivity and to promoting gender equality.
Skills and education deficits are often acute in rural areas, particularly for women. It is therefore important to invest in the development of a skilled workforce in the agro-food sectors through high quality systems of education, training and lifelong learning, taking into account the needs of the rural economy. Skills are central to improving employability and productivity and to promoting gender equality.
Social protection
It is also crucial to ensure social protection coverage of the rural population through appropriate and integrated policies in accordance with, and as recommended by, ILO Recommendation No. 202, 2012. The Recommendation is particularly relevant for the rural economy, as it aims to extend social protection by guaranteeing access to essential health care and basic income security at a nationally defined minimum level, including the poor, food-insecure households and workers in the informal economy.
It is also crucial to ensure social protection coverage of the rural population through appropriate and integrated policies in accordance with, and as recommended by, ILO Recommendation No. 202, 2012. The Recommendation is particularly relevant for the rural economy, as it aims to extend social protection by guaranteeing access to essential health care and basic income security at a nationally defined minimum level, including the poor, food-insecure households and workers in the informal economy.
Occupational Safety and Health
Another priority in rural areas is occupational safety and health. Agriculture is one of the most hazardous of all economic sectors. On plantations, it is essential to promote the prevention of accidents and occupational diseases, and establish a safety culture, while ensuring plantation workers’ access to adequate medical services and first aid. There is a need to establish and maintain a national system for occupational safety and health that covers all sectors of the rural economy in accordance with ILO Convention, No. 155, 1981 and other related labour standards. Specific measures include establishing and maintaining a classification system for hazardous substances used in the agro-food sectors.
Another priority in rural areas is occupational safety and health. Agriculture is one of the most hazardous of all economic sectors. On plantations, it is essential to promote the prevention of accidents and occupational diseases, and establish a safety culture, while ensuring plantation workers’ access to adequate medical services and first aid. There is a need to establish and maintain a national system for occupational safety and health that covers all sectors of the rural economy in accordance with ILO Convention, No. 155, 1981 and other related labour standards. Specific measures include establishing and maintaining a classification system for hazardous substances used in the agro-food sectors.
Rights at work
When it comes to rights at work, there are numerous ILO standards that have particular relevance to rural communities, ranging from those concerning fundamental principles and rights at work to specific categories such as migrant workers and indigenous peoples. While the fundamental principles and rights at work are universal and apply to all people, the rural economy has been globally challenged by persistent and often structural gaps that negatively affect a rights-based approach to development.
When it comes to rights at work, there are numerous ILO standards that have particular relevance to rural communities, ranging from those concerning fundamental principles and rights at work to specific categories such as migrant workers and indigenous peoples. While the fundamental principles and rights at work are universal and apply to all people, the rural economy has been globally challenged by persistent and often structural gaps that negatively affect a rights-based approach to development.
Social dialogue
Social dialogue and tripartism are important governance tools that promote economic development and social justice worldwide. The rural working population is however often excluded from the process and scope of social dialogue at all levels. Social dialogue should thus be more inclusive, and action is needed to promote strong rural workers’ and employers’ organizations. This is key to ensuring that the sector’s voice is heard in decision-making processes.
Social dialogue and tripartism are important governance tools that promote economic development and social justice worldwide. The rural working population is however often excluded from the process and scope of social dialogue at all levels. Social dialogue should thus be more inclusive, and action is needed to promote strong rural workers’ and employers’ organizations. This is key to ensuring that the sector’s voice is heard in decision-making processes.