International Program for Professional Labour Administration (IPPLA)

Project Summary

Network of Labour Advisory Services for Central America and the Dominican Republic (REAL CARD)

Context:

Human Resources and Skills Development Canada (HRSDC)/Labour Program and Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) entered into an Administrative Arrangement in January 2009 to implement the International Program for Professional Labour Administration (IPPLA). IPPLA’s goal is to assist countries in the Americas to effectively implement commitments arising from their trade-related labour agreements, and deliver on obligations resulting from the Summit of the Americas and the Inter-American Conference of Ministers of Labour (IACML). The expected impact is an improved ability of countries in the region to protect and respect internationally recognized labour standards while integrating into, and participating in, regional and world markets.

Project Objective:

This project will help strengthen the capacity of workers’ and employers’ organizations in Costa Rica, Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua, Panama and the Dominican Republic to participate meaningfully in processes aimed at formulating national labour legislation and policies, and in improving compliance with fundamental labour standards.

The real card project will also help enhance the institutional capacity of Labour Ministries, particularly in the area of labour inspections. Training on fundamental labour standards and legislation will be offered to union and employer organizations and to Labour Ministries. A national facilitator will be appointed in each of the seven countries participating in the project.

Expected Results:

Impact:

  • Improvement of labour relations in participating countries through increased compliance of labour legislation, particularly the fundamental rights of workers. A better labour environment is conducive to the increased competitiveness in the global economy of participating countries while ensuring decent working conditions.

Outcomes:

  1. Strengthened capacity of worker organizations to enter into meaningful dialogue with tripartite counterparts (employers and government) and increased competence to formulate and draft policy proposals that promote respect for fundamental workers rights and compliance of labour legislation.
  2. Improved communication, coordination, and cooperation between employers’ and workers’ organizations and formal alliances established between employers’ and workers’ organizations to adopt best practices, including bipartite committees at plant level.
  3. The institutional capacity of Labour Ministries is strengthened. The labour inspectorates develop and implement comprehensive inspection campaigns.
  4. A well-designed public awareness campaign that sensitizes the general public on the fundamental rights of workers, leading to increased knowledge of labour standards that ultimately influences the way policy-makers and stakeholders operate within the labour sector.

Total Canadian Contribution:

CAN $750,000

Project Duration:

May 2009 – April 2011

Executing Agency:

Asociación de Investigación y Estudios Sociales (ASIES). Based in Guatemala, ASIES is an independent research centre and thinktank, with over 25 years of experience.ASIES conducts regional political, economic, social and cultural research and analysis.

Type of Agreement:

Contribution Agreement between HRSDC/Labour Program and ASIES.

Signature date:

May 2009

IPPLA is funded by the Canadian International Development Agency and the Labour Program/HRSDC.

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Date Modified:
2012-05-04