(introduction...)

By
Maurice Allal

SERIES EDITOR: GERRY FINNEGAN
July 1999

This working paper, and the other five in this series, are issued for discussion purposes only, in advance of a formal publication drawing on the conclusions of all six. Neither this paper, nor the others in this series, should be considered to represent the position of the Office.

Copyright © International Labour Organization

Publications of the International Labour Office enjoy copyright under Protocol 2 of the Universal Copyright Convention. Nevertheless, short excerpts from them may be reproduced without authorization, on condition that the source is indicated. For rights of reproduction or translation, application should be made to the Publications Bureau (Rights and Permissions), International Labour Office, CH-1211 Geneva 22, Switzerland. The International Labour Office welcomes such applications.

Libraries, institutions and other users registered in the United Kingdom with the Copyright Licensing Agency, 90 Tottenham Court Road, London W1POLP (Fax: +44 (0) 171 631 5500), in the United States with the Copyright Clearance Center, 222 Rosewood Drive, Danvers, MA 01923 (Fax: +1 508 750 4470), or in other countries with associated Reproduction Rights Organizations, may make photocopies in accordance with the licences issued to them for this purpose.

February 2000

The designations employed in ILO publications, which are in conformity with United Nations practice, and the presentation of material therein do not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of the International Labour Office concerning the legal status of any country, area or territory or of its authorities, or concerning the delimitation of its frontiers.

The responsibility for opinions expressed in signed articles, studies and other contributions rests solely with their authors, and publication does not constitute an endorsement by the International Labour Office of the opinions expressed in them.

Reference to names of firms and commercial products and processes does not imply their endorsement by the International Labour Office, and any failure to mention a particular firm, commercial product or process is not a sign of disapproval.

For information on how to obtain copies of this background paper, write to the ILO East Asia Multidisciplinary Advisory Team, 10* Floor, United Nations Building, PO Box 2-349, Rajdamnern, 10200, Bangkok 10200; fax (66 2) 280 1995; e-mail: bangkok@ilo.org. Catalogues and lists of recent and forthcoming ILO books are available free of charge from the ILO Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific, 11th Floor, the United Nations Building, Rajdamnern Avenue, Bangkok 10200; fax: (662) 280-1735, 281-1496.

Printed in Thailand