The construction sector is one of the largest employers of temporary workers globally. Employment practices have the potential to be a major influence on the livelihoods of these (usually) poor workers, if they aim to enhance workers’ social, human and financial well-being. Such an approach can be promoted through commitment to – and application of – the International Labour Organisation (ILO) core labour standards[1].
Labour standards in construction affect people’s basic rights and freedoms, enhancing dignity and well-being. This in turn promotes the social and political stability needed to enable economic growth. The well-being of workers is particularly affected by decent working conditions, through the application of both core and wider labour standards[2]. Decent conditions promote greater worker productivity, which in turn increases worker motivation and commitment, improving health and creating cooperative workplaces. A “win-win” situation for all is possible. Improvements in working conditions also improves the livelihood of workers and their families, making them less vulnerable to various ‘shocks’ such as unexpected illness, injury or redundancy. They are therefore an integral part of social justice. In reality though, ensuring effective application of decent working conditions and monitoring the application of labour standards is often not practised.
A recently completed DFID-funded Social Aspects of Construction (SAC) study, piloted the application of labour standards in construction programmes in Ghana, India and Zambia. The approach involved government, private contractors, trade unions and NGOs working together to find ways of implementing labour standards through the contracting process. The aim was to enhance the livelihoods of workers and help them realise their rights. The findings offer an opportunity to learn lessons for improving workers’ conditions in the planning and management of construction programmes. Drawing on the experience of the study, a sourcebook on Implementing Labour Standards in Construction has been produced[3].
Labour Standards in the China context:
Recent events have indicated that China is willing to engage in the promotion of workers rights, addressing a range of issues:
§ the recent closure of migrant’s detention centres has made their plight more visible
§ delays in payment of construction workers are commonplace
§ the SARS epidemic has drawn attention to construction sites as potentially high risk transmission locations
§ civil society groups, especially legal aid groups are now active in supporting injured migrant workers to access their rights
§ the research community in China is currently documenting the plight of migrants
§ in the medium term, the proposed reform of the rural sector planned by the Chinese government will see large numbers of people moving to the cities, consequently there is interest in ensuring that workers are accorded their legal rights.
Opportunities from the workshop
Within the context of launching the China Labour Studies Centre (CLSC) of Beijing Normal University, this workshop provides an opportunity to:
§ disseminate the findings of the SAC study;
§ consider the place of labour standards within the context of China’s construction sector;
§ draw on the experience and expertise within China to identify opportunities for developing further work on labour standards within the construction sector.
[1] The 4 core labour standards defined by the ILO are: freedom of association and the right to collective bargaining; the elimination of forced or compulsory labour; the effective abolition of child labour; and the elimination of discrimination in respect of employment and occupation.
[2] The 5 broader labour standards, based on other international conventions of the ILO and provisions within regional and national law are: addressing health and safety; wages to be paid in full and on time; limited working hours and overtime pay; no repeated casualisation; social security regimes applied.
[3] Ladbury, S., Cotton, A. and Jennings, M., (2003), Implementing Labour Standards in Construction – A Sourcebook, WEDC, Loughborough University. Available in pdf format from http://www.lboro.ac.uk/wedc/projects/sac/index.htm |
