Foreword

This technical paper on Job Quality and Small Enterprise Development is the first of a series of papers that the ILO InFocus Programme on Boosting Employment through Small Enterprise Development will be producing on improving the qualitative aspects of employment in micro and small enterprises.

The paper is the result of a process which began before the adoption of the Recommendation No. 189 “Job Creation in Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises”. With the adoption of this recommendation the ILO was given the mandate to reinforce its work on promoting, not only more, but better jobs in small enterprises. The Director General’s report on “Decent Work” further inspired the Job Creation and Enterprise Department to emphasise this aspect in its programme of activities.

The paper is prepared by an informal team formed to develop a working definition of the term “Job Quality”; to identify existing approaches and tools for addressing the qualitative aspects of employment in small enterprises; and to develop a vision for what the ILO should offer in this area in terms of knowledge, advocacy and technical services.

The list of individuals that have contributed is too long to be listed here. Nevertheless, I should like to thank Ms. Vejs-Laursen, Mr. Kabundi and Mr. van der Ree who played a central role in the team. Also, I wish to mention that individuals from several departments and ILO technical cooperation programmes have offered valuable support to the team. In this respect, the teamwork has been unique. It brought together expertise from a range of technical fields and in a spirit of collaboration and enthusiasm for the topic.

A particular recognition is also due to the two international external consultants who worked with us to produce this technical paper. Mr. Frank Pyke prepared an initial draft of the paper. This formed the basis for discussions in the team and for the final version of the paper which was prepared by Mr. Simon White.

The current paper is the first step in the development of a substantive work programme on improving job quality in SMEs. We would therefore welcome your comments, views and suggestions.