Update: Technological change is a crucial element of today’s development debate. TCLab Affiliates analyze institutions in industry and innovation to better understand their developmental effects and what is public or private about them. TCLab Affiliates are interested in how technologies and innovation emerge as an institutional process in society and in what ways they contribute to better living for everyone. These questions affect practical issues from employment to the environment but also the political philosophy and theoretical models of development. This is a complex empirical issue, but is vital to better theorizing in economics, planning and public policy. For more information: http://tclab.createsend1.com/
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LABOUR IN LARGE-SCALE URBAN OPERATIONS: THE CASE OF INTERNATIONAL GAMES
November 04, 2011
Update: The preparation for international games such as world football cups and olympic games entails large-scale urban operations, with the construction or renovation of sports facilities, accommodation for athletes and tourists, facilities to cater for tourists, infrastructure and many times also ‘beautification’ of cities. It is an opportunity to boost economic and social development in the cities which host the games. Such operations entail oportunities for enterprises and for a large number of workers. It is important to ensure decent working conditions, entailing a positive impact in urban poverty alleviation. It is also important to spread opportunities for as many enterprises as possible, diversifying economic gains. In addition, such operations should not come at the cost of large displacement of the urban poor. One way to achieve these aims is to ensure social dialogue involving all actors throughout the entire process. International games are very visible and therefore can also be a case-model for many other urban works to follow.
For an analysis of labour-related issues in past olympic games, see the set of articles “Olympic sites: a celebration of Olympic values?” in the “Publications” section at http://www.clr-news.org/
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A Sectoral Approach to Decent Work in Urban Areas
September 12, 2011
Cities and towns are engines of economic growth. Yet, for this potential to be fully realized, attention needs to be paid to employment generation, improvement of working conditions, enterprise development and many other aspects related to labour. Cities and towns will not be sustainable if the livelihoods of their inhabitants are not addressed. This leaflet (Urban Economy Fact Sheet) is about decent work in urban areas. It explains the relevance of a sectoral approach to labour related challenges in the urban economy and presents the specific view points of the Sectoral Activities Department of the International Labour Organization.