Decent Work for All ASIAN DECENT WORK DECADE 2006-2015

The Role of Trade Unions in Local Development

Pong-Sul Ahn

Senior Specialist on Workers’ Activities

ILO DWT Bangkok

How the local development project can fulfill a decent work goal/ or the

ILO four strategic objectives?

How the unions can ensure the implementation of the ILO mandates, while partnering with the LD project?

ILO – ITUC - ICTU PROJECT on Skills Development and Vocational Training in Tamil Nadu, India

1. Rebuild the livelihoods of the Tsunami affected people in Nagapattinam and Cuddalore districts, Tamil Nadu, through vocational training

2. Launched in December 2005 and operated until July 2009

- 1st phase: Dec. 2005 – June 2008

- 2nd phase: July 2008 – July 2009

3. 1st Phase, providing vocational training to 1,800 tsunami-affected people

- 2nd phase, providing 800 women, youth and fishermen

Challenges1. Little exiting vocational training facilities/ institutions

in the project areas2. No experience, knowledge and expertise of the

partner unions on vocational training3. No representation of trade unions in the project

areas4. Multiple actors involved in the project such as ITUC

HQs, ITUC-AP in Singapore, ICTU, state-level unions [INTUC and HMS], ILO [BKK and New Delhi] and service providers, but ineffective coordination mechanism.

5. Lack of passion or enthusiasm by the fishing communities on vocational training

Implementation strategies1. Two tiers’ coordination mechanisms established

1.1 Project Advisory Committee - constituted by the donors (ITUC-AP and ICTU), ILO and two partner unions (INTUC and HMS) - service providers invited for the meetings to provide their inputs - once every three months to monitor the progress made and design activities1.2 Field Operation Committee - constituted by the project manager, 1 person each from INTUC and HMS in the state office, and 1 person each from INTUC and HMS district union

- once every two months at the rotation basis between Nagapattinam and Cuddalore

2. Provision of vocational training

2.1 Mapped out potential service providers in Chennai and project areas2.2 Developed beneficiaries’ profile2.3 Matched the available training programmes and the beneficiaries’ preference on vocational qualification2.4 Set up mobile training centres with the help of the governmental training institutions

3. Hired a consultant to assist the project implementation

3.1 Hired a union leader as an excol for one year

3.2 To guide the project manager and effectively communicate with the partner unions

4. Transparency and accountability of the project operation

4.1 Submission of a quarterly report to the donors4.2 Arranged the donor representative’s project site visits on a regular basis

5. Advocacy of the communities

5.1 Contacted leaders of Panchayats and got their support for circulating and receiving the beneficiaries’ profiles

Project Launching Ceremony on 20 Dec. 2005

Distributing study kits to trainees

Phase I for Vocational Training

S.No Training Details Institution

No.of trainees Duration Start Date

Finish Date

1 Four Wheeler Mech Srinivasar ITI 25 4 Months 05.07.06 05.11.06

2 Driving A-One 20 40 Days 05.07.06 05.09.06

3 Agarbathi INTUC-INRLF 50 3 Months 14.08.06 14.11.06

4 DOA CSC - Velankkani 20 3 Months 27.08.06 27.12.06

5 DOA CSC - Nagai 20 3 Months 27.08.06 27.12.06

6 Motor Rewinding Anbu ITI 20 4 Months 30.08.06 30.01.07

7 House Wiring Anbu ITI 20 4 Months 21.08.06 21.01.07

8 Plumbing Anbu ITI 20 4 Months 06.11.06 06.03.07

9 Welding Anbu ITI 20 4 Months 27.10.06 27.02.07

10 Diesel Mech Athippakam ITI 20 4 Months 29.1.07 6.6.07

11 House Wiring Athippakam ITI 20 4 Months 29.1.07 6.6.07

12 Four Wheeler Mech Athippakam ITI 20 4 Months 29.1.07 6.6.07

13 Electrician Anbu ITI 20 4 Months 10.3.07 10.7.07

14 Bench Fitter Anbu ITI 20 4 Months 12.3.07 12.7.07

15 Boat Mechanics

Sree Anjaneya Engg Works, Nagapattinam 25 3 Months 20.4.07 20.7.07

Phase II – areas of vocational training

Name of the trade Duration

• Nursing 8–12 months• Automobile Electrician 6 months• Hospitality & Catering 6 months• Hardware and Networking 6 months• Excavation operator 3months• Crane operator 3months• Fork Lift operator 3 months• Heavy Equipments 6 months• Multimedia & Animation 6 months• Welding 4 months• Ticketing 3 months• Fitters 4 months• Integrated farming 7 days• Electrician 4 months• Alternative fishing activities 7 days• Cell phone repairs 4 months• Organic farming 7 days

Some examples of VT

Auto rickshaw driving Computer programme operation

Motor mechanics Vermicompost nursing

Employment Status of INTUC VT

Jobs44%

Part Time10%

Self Employed7%

Higher Studies16%

Seasonal Work18%

Job Less5%

Jobs

Part Time

Self Employed

Higher Studies

Seasonal Work

Job Less

Results1. Improved employment and employability of

youths- Total 2,600 youths (1,800 people at the 1st phase and 800 people at the 2nd phase) trained on 18 different vocational training components in the Tsunami-affected areas (Nagapattinam and Cuddalore districts, Tamil Nadu)

2. Organized the Unorganized in the fishing communities- Paid membership for the period of 06 to July 2009 stood at 14,000 persons in Nagapattinam by INTUC and some 9,000 persons in Cuddalore by HMS.

3. Linked with statutory social security schemes- More than 80% were enrolled in the welfare board

4. Advocate labour rights issues

- provide training on HIV/AIDS, child labour, trade union rights, gender issues, OSH

5. Social dialogue

- with the potential employers

- with service providers

- with the local government officials

6. Building capacity of trade unions

- competency

- high visibility

- representation

Thank you

ASIAN DECENT WORK DECADE 2006-2015

Decent Work for All