Cotton, A P; Sohail, M and Scott, R E (2005) Towards improved labour standards for construction of minor works in low income countries. Engineering, Construction and Architectural Management, 12(6), pp. 617-632. ISSN 0969-9988
Abstract
Purpose - The construction industry is one of the largest employment providers in the developing world. It is also one of the least safe industries, with a high frequency of accidents resulting in financial losses, injuries, disabilities and deaths. Decent working conditions and resulting improved worker satisfaction are key to sustainable productivity in the industry. International standards safeguarding construction workers are abundant and ratified by most low-income countries. This paper aims to examine if these standards are adequately reflected in contracts for construction works; and if they not, how contract clauses can be improved and put into operation. Design/methodology/ approach - Based on research undertaken in Ghana, India and Zambia from 2000 to 2003, this paper explores the aforementioned points. The paper comprises analysis of contract clauses from the International Federation of Consulting Engineers (FIDIC) and developing country contracts, along with case study findings. Findings - This paper finds that more legislation is not the urgent issue; incorporating existing legislation into construction contracts and making clauses operational is a priority. This paper identifies practical and cost-effective procedures for bringing stakeholders together to implement and monitor labour standards, with the aim of contributing to the overall goal of providing "decent work" for all workers in the construction industry. Originality/value - This paper explores issues around implementing labour standards in construction of minor infrastructure works in low income countries and concludes with suggestions on how best to put contract clauses into operation through a process approach.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | construction industry; contracts; developing countries; labour; standards |
| Index terms: | disability, labour standard, methodology, consulting engineer, worker satisfaction, legislation, developing country, injury, working conditions, India, construction worker, construction industry, income, construction contract, construction work, productivity, employment, FIDIC, Ghana, Zambia, case study |
| Subjects: | economic analysis, legal systems, operations management, practitioner, contract type, standard forms of contract, profession, data collection methods, industry analysis, health conditions and diseases, development economics, professional development, Geography, employment law, research methods, management |
| Topics: | Roles and Professions, Procurement, Health and Safety, Business Strategy, Information Management, Research Practice, Project Management, Geographical Context, Legal Issues, International Construction, Human Resources |
| Descriptive scope: | 4 PCTE |
N.B. Descriptive scope is a count of how many of the five facets of empirical research are indicated by the words used in title, abstract and keywords. It is not intended as a judgement on the research; merely a count of the kind of word we would expect to indicate Phenomenon, Concepts, Theoretical framing, Empirical techniques, Analytical techniques. If all five are present, then a code of “5 PCTEA” will indicate this. If you feel the coding for this record is questionable, we welcome discussion around the terms we matched or the way we categorized them. The facet you would expect may not be coded, or a facet may be coded inappropriately. This can also bear on a larger question, of which facets should be treated as defining in construction management research. Please get in touch, and we will look at it. More details here