2 May 2019
ILO Urges Advancement of Decent Work in E-waste Sector
Photo by Alexandre Debiève on Unsplash
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The International Labour Organization has called on countries to focus on advancing decent work within the e-waste sector.

Participants in the Global Dialogue Forum on Decent Work in the Management of Electrical and Electronic Waste emphasized the increasing importance of recycling in the informal work sector.

17 April 2019: Governments, workers and employer organizations have called on countries to better manage electrical and electronic waste (e-waste), converting it into a source of decent work, urging action “at all levels.” The call came as part of an agreement reached at the conclusion of the Global Dialogue Forum on Decent Work in the Management of Electrical and Electronic Waste, convened by the International Labour Organization (ILO).

According to the ILO, a member of the UN E-Waste Coalition, the world produces as much as 50 million tonnes of e-waste a year, however only 20% of e-waste is formally recycled in spite of being valued at EUR 55 billion. The Organization notes that “recycling is becoming an increasingly important resource for informal workers along the e-waste value chain sector,” and bringing innovative services and products to the market will aid a transition to the circular economy. Nikhil Seth, Chair of the ILO Global Dialogue Forum, said reusing, recycling, refurbishment and resale of e-waste “has to be looked at in much more systematic ways.”

E-waste management has to be looked at in much more systematic ways.

In an outcome document (GDFEEW/2019/7), participants of the Global Dialogue Forum identify 17 points of consensus, including:

  • Increased demand for electrical and electronic equipment and devices has led to rapid growth of e-waste, and while recycling and reuse rates are generally low, e-waste is expected to continue to grow at a significant rate, necessitating urgent action;
  • Poor management of e-waste poses a severe threat to human health and the environment;
  • Most work on the management of e-waste in some developing countries takes place in the informal economy in poor conditions, and it is estimated that more women than men work in vulnerable conditions;
  • E-waste contains highly hazardous substances as well as valuable materials, and is becoming an increasingly important resource for informal workers along the e-waste value chain; and
  • With the right infrastructure, regulations, incentives, policies and processes in place, e-waste management could help advance decent work and protect the environment through the generation of sustainable enterprises and creation of decent employment opportunities, which contributes to the achievement of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

The Global Dialogue Forum outcome document also contains a set of recommendations for future action by the ILO and its members. Forum participants recommend that governments, inter alia: increase and promote investment in waste management infrastructure and systems at all levels; and adopt, implement and enforce labor laws and regulations to ensure that all workers engaged in the management of e-waste are protected. They call on governments and employers’ and workers’ organizations to engage in social dialogue at all levels to advance decent work in e-waste management and support a just transition towards environmental sustainability.

The Global Dialogue Forum on Decent Work in the Management of Electrical and Electronic Waste was held in Geneva, Switzerland, from 9-11 April 2019. [Global Dialogue Forum Outcome Document] [Global Dialogue Forum Webpage] [ILO Press Release] [UN Press Release]

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