Focus

An increase in broad-based employment is essential for growth to be inclusive. Job creation is also critical for public investment to be sustainable given the role of job creation in contributing to a growing tax base. However, even in the best of times, creating jobs is difficult. Public employment programmes (PEPs) are imperative not just as transitional measures over the short term and as measures to limit the impact of downturns but also for their potential to contribute to exploring how to address deficits in services and infrastructure in the process. More specifically, the focus of the team is on:

• Identifying complementarities with cash transfers in the context of a life-cycle approach;
• Fostering operational convergence in programme delivery: the role of social information and delivery systems (e.g. single registry);
• Exploring recent innovative approaches for public employment programming and to identify methodologies and strategies for expanding employment opportunities over the medium term;
• Green Jobs and structural transformation policies;

Highlights of Activities 2010

• Rethinking public works : working paper on new approaches to public works and policy options to encourage complementarity in programming (with UNDP/Poverty Group). [See Radhika Lal and other publications on employment ]
• IBSA Academic Forum (April 12, 2010) co-organized dialogue on Social Protection (cash transfers & employment);
• Contribution to Workshop on Long-term Social Protection for Inclusive Growth
• Policy options and systems to enhance integrated delivery of social programmes : [see forthcoming policy brief which draws on the experiences of Brazil and Chile]
• Contribution of Social Assistance Programmes to the Decent Work agenda in Brazil, India and South Africa (with Social Protection Team & ILO’s SEC/SOC) [See upcoming publications]

• Exploring the intersections and co-benefits arising from creating jobs and addressing the MDGs : [See forthcoming publication on MDG Achievement and Sustainability: The Role of Employment]