Publications on Green Jobs

  1. Waste pickers’ cooperatives and social and solidarity economy organizations

    20 August 2019

    Waste pickers make significant contributions to public health, sanitation, and the environment by promoting resource circulation and reducing the amount of landfill. However, they are often not legally recognized as workers and suffer from poor working conditions and lack of social protection. This brief highlights the role of waste pickers' cooperatives and other social and solidarity economy organizations (SSEOs) in integrating and formalizing the work of waste pickers in the recycling value chain and improving their working conditions.

  2. Skills for Green Jobs in South Africa

    30 May 2019

  3. Unrecognized Waste Management Experts: Challenges and Opportunities for Small Business Development and Decent Job Creation in the Waste Sector in the Free State

    14 December 2012

    The report summarizes the findings of a study on the challenges and opportunities for small business development and decent job creation in the waste management sector. Based on research conducted in three municipalities of Free State, South Africa, the report highlights the vulnerable situation of waste pickers and makes recommendations for better waste management. The research was commissioned by the ILO Free State SME Development Initiative and conducted by the University of Western Cape and the University of Johannesburg.

  4. The Employment Aspects of Energy-Related Improvements in Construction in South Africa

    01 February 2011