Construction sector stakeholders speak out

The Decent Work in Construction Project has conducted a series of focus group discussions with partners across the three pilot countries—Mozambique, South Africa, and Zimbabwe. This assessment aimed to identify the challenges and opportunities of moving the sector towards decent work for all. Discussions were held with Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs), workers, and Business Development Service providers. A total of 76 participants took part in the in-person FGDs, including 23% BDS providers, 33% SMEs, and 43% workers.

Working in safe and good conditions is a fundamental human right. It also presents an opportunity as improving working conditions can enhance worker well-being, increase productivity.

Across the three countries, SMEs consistently express the need for improved productivity and better market access. They are concerned about how compromises in worker safety and inadequate social security provisions negatively impact productivity. For instance, the high costs of quality personal protective equipment often leads to compromises that affect worker safety. Additionally, inconsistent access to markets results in irregular workflows, making it challenging to consistently pay for social security and workers' compensation. SMEs also highlight the need for enhanced business and financial management skills Workers' representatives emphasize the prevalence of decent work deficits.

Key issues include short-term and informal employment, lack of representation, and non-compliance with collective bargaining agreements. These deficits result in underpayments for work and overtime, a lack of social protection measures, and harsh working conditions, such as prolonged exposure to the elements, insufficient safety measures, and heavy workloads. Female workers specifically highlight the pervasive issue of Gender-Based Violence and Harassment within the sector, including exploitative demands made by some managers in exchange for continued employment.

BDS providers identified common issues of limited dialogue between employers and workers, informal employment, non-compliance with safety standards due to cost pressures, cash-flow problems leading to late salary payments, and financial management challenges. Engaging the SMEs requires long-term engagement rather than once-off trainings and the focus needs to include core business fundamentals like financial management, access to finance and markets, and legal compliance.

These findings have informed the development of training materials aimed at promoting decent work and enhancing productivity in the construction sector.