Session 2: What reforms for green jobs?

Convener: International Labour Organization (ILO)
Date: 3 October 2011
Time: 14:00 – 15:30
Place: Plenary Room

Speakers and panelists

• Overview of the session: Mr. Carlos Carrión-Crespo, Senior Specialist in Public Services, ILO
• Discussion with panelists:
  Case 1. Philippines: Mr. Roel S. Espiritu, Head of Labor Relations of Maynilad Water Services, Inc.
  Case 2. Panama: Ms. Vicenta Trotman Vargas, Secretary of the Management Board of the Rural Aqueduct in Kusapín.

Overview of the tool

This overview paper introduces reforms for green jobs and explains how they can act as a tool for change in supporting the transition to a green economy. It reflects on challenges faced, how the tool helps overcome the challenges, and lessons learnt from implementation.

Cases in the Plenary

• Case 1: Private water utilities in the Philippines: case Mayniland water district
  This case describes the successful privatization of the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage Systems in greater Metro Manila area in Philippines. As an approach to conflict management and resolution, it has been standard practice for management and workers unions to engage in dialogue with the management of water utilities to resolve work-related problems and conflict, without seeking mediation from government. The management, unions and workers together have successfully combated the high rate of non-revenue water (NRW). One of the results of the project was that the level of NRW has been reduced from 66% in 2007 to 47.8% in 2011. In 2007, Manynilad had to produce 4,500 litres per day for each individual service connection. Now it only has to produce 2,500 litres per day. This represents a reduction of 44% in Maynilad's water demand.
  
• Case 2: UN Joint Water and Sanitation This case introduces the joint water and sanitation programme in Panama that involves indigenous rural communities in water management, empowered to be partners rather than beneficiaries. The community participation takes place in both design and construction. Specialists in indigenous capacity building have built a network of facilitators to promote entrepreneurship, which generates employment and also supports local development. In the programme, workshops were set up and information toolkits were published to encourage sustainable use of water and sanitation services.

Case studies table

This table includes cases presented during the conference as well as additional cases which illustrate successful implementation of the tool. These will contribute to the preparation of input for the Rio+20 conference.