Transcript Document
Is there a Role for Employers in Poverty Alleviation? Dutch Employers Cooperation Programme Jan Karel Bout Gabarone, February 22, 2007 Close connection GDP growth / poverty reduction 10 annual % change 8 6 4 2 0 Pakistan source: Worldbank, 2002 Bangladesh India Vietnam GDP per capita growth rate Poverty reduction China Profound changes in the world economy (1) • • • • Shift away from the West? Bric’s Take-overs in Europe Global market place with few rules (WTO) Profound changes in world economy (2) • • • • Internet The world is flat Countries competing for FDI Investment climate Business climate, the actors • Role of government • Employers • Labour Tasks for the government • • • • • Healthy macro-economic policy Infrastructure Rule of Law Education and skills Business climate Doing business The World Bank criteria (1) • • • • • • Starting a business Dealing with licenses Registering property Hiring and firing Getting credit Protecting investors Doing business The World Bank criteria (2) • • • • Paying taxes Trading across borders Enforcing contracts Closing business Africa’s performance Some examples • • • • • • Ghana Ethiopia Senegal Rwanda Côte d’Ivoire Burkina Faso 82 101 132 139 145 154 African countries mostly at bottom of the list Role of Business Organisations • The voice of business • Defending interest of members The business climate No. 1 • Countervailing power for Unions • Providing services to members Characteristics effective business organisation • Advocacy • Representativeness • Strategy • Revenues • Organisational structure Tools to influence governments (1) (Economic growth) • Lobby: government, parliament • Communication; role of media • Press conferences, articles, interviews, etc • Business surveys Tools to influence governments (2) (Economic growth) • Through (large) members • Foreign partners: World Bank, embassies, international business organisations. • Bi/tripartite bodies • Etc. Business is Key Valuable tools: • • • • World Bank: Doing Business Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper Your own business survey Others? A virtuous circle: benefits for all Strong business influences government better business climate less informal economy higher growth and taxes more jobs reduced poverty strong business