Catalog

	Table of Contents
p. 31 of 53 BACK | NEXT Executive Summary Summary of Conclusions and Recommendations by ADF Donors ADF VIII: Requests for Midterm Policy Reviews and Reports I. Introduction II. The International Development Goals III. Poverty in Developing Asia IV. ADB and ADF: Vision and Role V. ADB’S Framework for Poverty Reduction VI. Development through Partnership VII. ADF Resources: Portfolio Management and Performance VIII. The Strategy for Implementing ADF VIII A. General Strategy and Partnership B. Implementing ADB’s Poverty Reduction Strategy C. Performance-Based Allocation System for ADF Resources D. Governance Action Plan E. Development of the Private Sector F. Infectious Diseases including HIV/AIDS G. Core Labor Standards H. Gender and Development I. Environment J. Cooperation Among DMCs K. Money Laundering L. Drug Trafficking M. Improving Evaluation and the Linkage to Planning Operations N. Redesign of Operational Business Processes and Portfolio Management O. Strengthening Resident Missions P. Strengthening ADB’s Institutional Capacity IX. Planned Lending in ADF VIII X. Financing Framework for ADF VIII XI. Issues for Policy Review XII. Midterm Review of ADF VIII

ADF VIII Donor's Report: Fighting Poverty in Asia : VIII. The Strategy for Implementing ADF VIII

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G. Core Labor Standards

77. Donors reaffirmed that international declarations on core labor standards (CLS) include labor standards concerned with freedom of association, the right to organize and collective bargaining, forced labor, minimum age, and discrimination in employment. Donors also concluded that a consensus is emerging in the Region on elimination of the worst forms of child labor, and many countries are planning to ratify the new ILO convention on this. Donors noted that ADB’s Charter does not provide explicit support for an ADB policy that would require its DMCs to apply CLS at the national level as a condition for ADB support. CLS, however, are highly relevant to poverty reduction as most of the poor in the Region are the working poor. The mainstreaming of CLS is thus important for achieving poverty reduction, improving the status of women, promoting harmonious social development, and creation of a stable pro-growth environment. Donors recommended that ADB should address the promotion of CLS on two fronts. First, ADB mainstream CLS considerations in planning its projects and programs. Second, ADB continue to support direct investments in projects that will enable ADB and its DMCs to address CLS issues in a more holistic manner.

78. Donors noted that ADB already incorporates CLS issues in developing CAPs with its DMCs and that a 1999 Regional TA will strengthen ADB’s information base available in this area. The TA will enhance a better understanding of the role of selected CLS in broad-based development, especially those related to child labor and discrimination at work. In selected DMCs, national compendia will be prepared. These compendia will consist of studies, guidelines and checklists provided to policy makers of key ministries and staff of executing agencies of ADB-assisted projects, to identify such issues and address them when designing and implementing programs and projects. ADB will prepare a framework and action plan that will be readily applicable in ADB’s operations. In 2001, ADB will expand the scope to other DMCs as well as cover other standards. Donors recommended that the framework and action plan be completed as soon as possible so that it will be applied in ADF VIII.

79. The Donors advised ADB to continue to support projects that contribute to the elimination of violations of CLS. ADB-supported projects, including those that promote microenterprise among women, will aim in part at reducing the pressures that drive parents to send their children to work and at enabling governments to increasingly support social development programs targeted at child development. Efforts to improve the quality of and access to primary education for children will be continued to be made. 80. Finally, Donors recommended ADB formalize its relationships with international organizations that promote CLS.

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