ILO adopts conclusions for promoting decent work and a just transition in the building materials industry

Representatives Discuss Challenges and Opportunities in the Building Materials Industry

GENEVA (ILO News) – Representatives from governments, employers, and workers gathered in Geneva to discuss the challenges and opportunities in the building materials industry, including cement, reaching a set of conclusions and recommendations.

First-of-its-kind Meeting

The meeting, the first of its kind, was hosted by the International Labour Organization (ILO). It brought together a panel of senior experts from the United Nations Environment Programme, the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, and the United Nations Industrial Development Organization.

Building a Low-Carbon Economy

“The building materials industry is a cornerstone of the global economy and now stands at a critical crossroads, facing rapid technological changes and its significant carbon footprint. These conclusions and recommendations will go a long way in helping the industry meet the demands of a low-carbon economy and decent work, while also continuing to fulfill the growing needs for housing and infrastructural demands,” said Frank Hagemann, Director of the ILO Sectoral Policies Department and Secretary-General of the meeting.

Supporting Sustainable Enterprises

The ILO constituents called for support to promote an enabling environment for sustainable enterprises, in particular micro, small and medium-sized enterprises, to ensure they are equipped to participate in the industry’s transition to a low-carbon economy. They stressed the need to ensure the correct classification of employment relationships in the industry, to monitor occupational diseases caused by new building materials, and strengthen labour inspection systems.

Promoting Gender Equality

The meeting emphasized that equal opportunities and treatment for women and men were essential for the future of the industry. Improving data collection and conducting industry-specific labour assessments were highlighted as key elements for informed policymaking.

Investing in Skills Development

Delegates agreed that, to support a just transition, investment in skills development and lifelong learning would be paramount, enabling workers and enterprises to adapt to evolving industry requirements while driving innovation, productivity, and sustainability. Social protection systems would also be essential in building resilience for all workers and enterprises facilitating a just transition.

Operationalizing Living Wages

The meeting’s agreed conclusions provide guidance about operationalizing living wages in the industry and highlight the importance of promoting the ILO Tripartite Declaration of Principles concerning Multinational Enterprises and Social Policy. They also highlight the need to ensure that public procurement fosters adherence to labour rights, social dialogue, and protection of workers in the industry. Central to these recommendations is the critical role of social dialogue and fundamental principles and rights at work.

The Chairperson of the meeting, Toni Moore, said, “I extend my praise and congratulate the tripartite constituents for their valuable contributions and hard work. In spite of some challenging moments social dialogue prevailed, allowing us to build consensus on the industry’s key priorities.”

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators in the Article

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

• SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth
• SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure
• SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
• SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production
• SDG 13: Climate Action
• SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions

The article discusses the challenges and opportunities in the building materials industry, particularly cement. It addresses the need for decent work, sustainable infrastructure, responsible consumption and production, climate action, and the importance of social dialogue and strong institutions.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

1. SDG 8.5: By 2030, achieve full and productive employment and decent work for all women and men, including for young people and persons with disabilities, and equal pay for work of equal value.
2. SDG 9.4: By 2030, upgrade infrastructure and retrofit industries to make them sustainable, with increased resource-use efficiency and greater adoption of clean and environmentally sound technologies and industrial processes, with all countries taking action in accordance with their respective capabilities.
3. SDG 11.3: By 2030, enhance inclusive and sustainable urbanization and capacity for participatory, integrated, and sustainable human settlement planning and management in all countries.
4. SDG 12.2: By 2030, achieve the sustainable management and efficient use of natural resources.
5. SDG 13.2: Integrate climate change measures into national policies, strategies, and planning.
6. SDG 16.3: Promote the rule of law at the national and international levels and ensure equal access to justice for all.

The article highlights the need for decent work, sustainable infrastructure, inclusive urbanization, sustainable resource management, climate change integration, and the promotion of the rule of law.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

• Indicator for SDG 8.5: Proportion of employees earning a living wage.
• Indicator for SDG 9.4: Proportion of industries using clean and environmentally sound technologies and industrial processes.
• Indicator for SDG 11.3: Proportion of cities with a participatory, integrated, and sustainable human settlement planning and management approach.
• Indicator for SDG 12.2: Material footprint per capita.
• Indicator for SDG 13.2: Number of countries with integrated climate change measures in national policies, strategies, and planning.
• Indicator for SDG 16.3: Proportion of population who have access to justice and who feel safe and secure.

The article implies the importance of measuring the proportion of employees earning a living wage, the adoption of clean technologies, the implementation of sustainable urban planning, the reduction of material footprint, the integration of climate change measures in policies, and the access to justice for all.

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: ilo.org