Creating green and decent work is a common goal for both the European Union and South Africa. These two regions are facing up to an unemployment crisis spiraling out of control which is condemning millions of workers to poverty and social exclusion - with young people being especially hard hit - meaning now is the time to prioritize and widen initiatives to reach this goal. 

The country has a significant regulatory framework in place with regard to occupational health and safety. Nevertheless, there is a low level of compliance on behalf of companies and the Ministry of Labour has a diminished capacity to act in this area

Precarious working conditions compound the existing difficult social situation of the country, that results in half of all workers handling or being exposed to chemicals - more than 40% of these without any protection

19% of workers say they are exposed to chemical substances in their workplaces. More than half of those handling hazardous substances directly do so without any protection

On the occasion of biodiversity negotiations at COP 11, Hyderabad (India), ITUC and Sustainlabour release a report on biodiversity and employment. The report highlights to the need (and the actual possibility) to address a profound transformation of productive sectors to ensure the survival of the species and the creation of sustainable jobs.

As part of the proyect "Promoting the Sound Chemicals Management through stregthening workers´ capacities", in the Dominican Republic, El Salvador and Nicaragua, we have undertaken a research on the national situation and the tools that are available in each country for the sound management of chemicals.

The green economy offers enormous opportunities for job creation, many of which are already underway in the Spanish economy. In Spain, the severity of the recession and the current austerity measures make it difficult to judge the future effect of general contracting in the sectors of the green economy. Nevertheless, some recent studies in Europe have demonstrated that these sectors have weathered the recession better than others by retaining more employment. This study aims to compile and analyze the data on green job creation generated in Spain. 

Where: Dominican Republic, El Salvador and Nicaragua

When: October 2011 - June 2012

This survey is part of the project "Promoting the sound management of chemicals through strengthening workers´ capacities", coordinated by Sustainlabour and trade unions from Dominican Repubic, El Salvador and Nicaragua. The project is financed by the SAICM QSP Trust Fund.

Theme: study on the links between employment and biodiversity

Published: ongoing

Developed jointly with the Federación de Servicios a la Ciudadanía (FSC) - CCOO, Spain.

Subject: analize the social aspects of climate change, and reflects on how adaptation and mitigation measures could address the needs of the most vulnerable and contribute to the achievement of development goals.

Published: pending

Elaborated for ILO and the UN Working Group on Climate Change.