Social Protection

While it is the responsibility of public authorities to provide high-quality and efficient services to their citizens, the creation of decent work for those who provide these services should be achieved at the same time. However, there is evidence that working conditions and terms of employment have not always met these standards. In some cases of privatization, the working conditions have been negatively affected through the reduced pay, increased working hours, shorter annual leave, reduced pension schemes, increase in part-time working and less security in employment contracts. Newly employed workers often face worse conditions than transferred staff.

In public emergency services (PESs), all workers are required to work odd and irregular hours to cope with emergencies. In some countries, however, their rest period is not fully counted as work hours, and those workers argue that their breaks should not be considered as guaranteed breaks free from labour. Such issues should be discussed and resolved through social dialogue and collective bargaining. Like any other occupational groups, PES workers should be able to negotiate for improved terms and conditions of work. Many PES workers in developing countries must work during their off-duty hours to supplement their inadequate salaries. This may put them at extra risk due to fatigue, and may also endanger the health and security of the public. They should be entitled to a guaranteed minimum income for a decent living. All these issues have been addressed at the Joint Meeting on Public Emergency Services: Social Dialogue in a Changing Environment held in Geneva in January 2003.

Useful links/resources

Report for and of the Joint Meeting on Public Emergency Services: Social Dialogue in a Changing Environment, Geneva, 2003:

• Public emergency services: Social dialogue in a changing environment (pdf, 1.3MB)
• Note on the Proceedings (pdf, 295k)
• Guidelines on social dialogue in public emergency services in a changing environment