Action-research project on Promoting Decent Work in Construction and Related Services: the Key Role of Local Authorities

Objectives of the project:
- To analyse through case-studies the feasibility of promoting decent work (including creating employment) in the construction sector by the initiative of local authorities;
- To produce a set of guidelines (on the role of local authorities in promoting decent work) that apply knowledge in practice;
- To anchor the aforementioned product of the research project in networks of local authorities in order to generate and sustain the implementation of good practices.

The project methodology combines quantitative and qualitative approaches. An important aim and contribution of the project is to define and validate a set of criteria to evaluate the capacity of local authorities to promote decent work in the construction sector. In order to achieve this goal, it is necessary to define and evaluate criteria about decent work, about the construction sector (and related services), and about the policies and programmes of the local authorities in each city selected as a case study.
This project consisted of three phases. Phase 1 entailed a synthesis and critique of recent contributions concerning the target subject, stemming from a review of the literature. It also includeed the definition of criteria and sources of information to assess decent work in the construction sector in precise localities. Phase 2 involved the completion of case studies by field research in selected municipalities using the criteria and methodology validated in phase 1. The case studies evaluated the strengths and weaknesses of policies and programmes for the promotion of decent work in each municipality. This phase also validated the proposed criteria and methods which only then could be reapplied in other localities. Phase 3 included the documentation and dissemination of a set of guidelines, a product of this project which could then be reapplied.