Switzerland strengthens its support to the ILO’s Better Work programme
Signing of a cooperation agreement for 12.4 million Swiss francs allocated by Switzerland to the ILO’s Better Work programme for 2013-2016.
BERN – Swiss Federal Councillor Johann N. Schneider-Ammann and ILO Director-General Guy Ryder have signed a cooperation agreement for 12.4 million Swiss francs, the amount allocated by Switzerland to the ILO’s Better Work programme for 2013-2016.
The ILO Director-General stressed that Switzerland had been a key partner of the Better Work programme since the latter’s inception in 2009. “This fresh contribution, coming on top of the global support for the programme, will make it possible to improve the lives of millions of textile workers.”
Mr Schneider-Ammann added, “Switzerland continues to support Better Work, specifically in Indonesia and Viet Nam, because the programme has proven that it is effective in reducing poverty and furthering sustainable economic development in the countries in which it operates. Between 2009 and 2012, for example, the number of jobs in the Vietnamese companies concerned grew 165 per cent, and production increased by 50 per cent. Moreover, companies that have chosen to modernize their relations with their employees have seen a sharp drop in worker turnover and have been better able to withstand crises.”
The Better Work programme was established in 2009 by the ILO and the International Finance Corporation (IFC), with the support of Switzerland, the United States, the Netherlands, Australia and Canada. The programme aims to implement fundamental labour standards (freedom of association and the right to engage in collective bargaining, elimination of forced labour, the abolition of child labour, the prohibition of occupational segregation) in textile companies. It is operational in seven countries: Cambodia, Haiti, Indonesia, Jordan, Lesotho, Nicaragua and Viet Nam. In a new phase, the Better Work programme is to be expanded to activities in Bangladesh.
The ILO Director-General stressed that Switzerland had been a key partner of the Better Work programme since the latter’s inception in 2009. “This fresh contribution, coming on top of the global support for the programme, will make it possible to improve the lives of millions of textile workers.”
Mr Schneider-Ammann added, “Switzerland continues to support Better Work, specifically in Indonesia and Viet Nam, because the programme has proven that it is effective in reducing poverty and furthering sustainable economic development in the countries in which it operates. Between 2009 and 2012, for example, the number of jobs in the Vietnamese companies concerned grew 165 per cent, and production increased by 50 per cent. Moreover, companies that have chosen to modernize their relations with their employees have seen a sharp drop in worker turnover and have been better able to withstand crises.”
The Better Work programme was established in 2009 by the ILO and the International Finance Corporation (IFC), with the support of Switzerland, the United States, the Netherlands, Australia and Canada. The programme aims to implement fundamental labour standards (freedom of association and the right to engage in collective bargaining, elimination of forced labour, the abolition of child labour, the prohibition of occupational segregation) in textile companies. It is operational in seven countries: Cambodia, Haiti, Indonesia, Jordan, Lesotho, Nicaragua and Viet Nam. In a new phase, the Better Work programme is to be expanded to activities in Bangladesh.