Decent Work Regulation in Africa


Project Summary:

The project on Decent Work Regulation in Africa is a collaboration between Durham University (UK), the University of Cape Town (South Africa) and York University (Canada). DWR-Africa is led by Professor Deirdre McCann of Durham Law School and funded through the UK Global Challenges Research Fund. A central aim of the Project is to establish a Regional Network of researchers and policy-makers with an interest in effective labour regulation. DWR-Africa responds to UN Sustainable Development Goal 8: to promote inclusive and sustainable economic growth, employment and decent work for all. To achieve this objective, effective labour regulation is crucial. Strong labour laws are a vital component of development policies, capable of supporting inclusive growth, sustainable prosperity, and the wellbeing of workers and their families. Yet the regulatory strategies that can effectively achieve decent work – especially in Low and Middle Income Countries (LMICs) – have yet to be designed.

A Pilot Project on Enforcing Labour Laws in Southern Africa is being led by Dr Shane Godfrey of the Institute of Development and Labour Law, University of Cape Town and Professor Kelly Pike of the School of Human Resource Management, York University, Toronto. The project aims to better understand the limitations and strengths of multi-stakeholder models in South Africa and Lesotho. The focus is on whether these models provide a better way to enforce labour rights. To investigate this question, fieldwork was carried out in the garment sectors in South Africa and Lesotho during 2018. This research involved interviews with stakeholders in both countries including government officials, employers, unions, NGOs and other local initiatives, and workers themselves.

Project Description:

https://www.dur.ac.uk/law/policyengagement/ufw/africa/project/

Project Type:
Funded

Project Role:
Co-Investigator

Country 1:

Country 2:

Country 3:

Country 4:

Month
Year
Start Date:
2018
End Date:
2019

Funder:
Durham University through Higher Education Funding Council for England/Global Challenges Research Fund

Year Project Started:
2017

Collaborator:
Deirdre McCann; Shane Godfrey

Collaborator Institution:
Durham University; University of Cape Town

Collaborator Role:
Principal Investigator; Co-Investigator

Funder
Amount
(e.g type 1000 for 1,000)
1
Durham University, Higher Education Funding Council for England, Global Challenges Research Fund
£90000
2
3
4
5
6
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