Employment-Intensive Investment

Training in the Employment Intensive Investment Approach of Small and Medium Enterprises and Design Offices - Realization of training sites in Madagascar

  • Development of post-harvest infrastructure and access to markets;
  • Improvement of the skills and strengthening of the employability of the implementing partners of the DEFIS Program of the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (MINAE);
  • Creation of decent and productive jobs that respect gender equality and non-discrimination for the benefit of local populations through the use of the EIIP approach

 

Women working in road rehabilitation
Women working in road rehabilitation; © EIIP Project Madagascar

Summary

The partnership agreement for the implementation of the project for training in the EIIP approach of SMEs and BEs, as well as the realization of training schools, signed between the Ministry of
Agriculture and Livestock (MINAE) and the International Labour Organization (ILO), in July 2019, constitutes the contribution of the ILO to the realization of sub-component 2.3: «Development of
post-harvest and market access infrastructure» of the DEFIS Program. 

Implemented in two regions of Madagascar, namely Atsimo Atsinanana and Ihorombe, for 42 months, from July 2019 to December 2022, the project carried out rehabilitation works on two roads totaling
52 kms as a training site, and trained 110 people from 29 Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) and 9 Design Offices (DOs) to improve their employability. The works were executed following the EIIP approach.

Structured, with multiple benefits such as the improvement of skills and the strengthening of the employability of the implementing partners at all levels; the creation of decent and productive jobs respecting gender equality and non-discrimination for the benefit of the local population; the distribution of income through work; the exploitation and development of local resources; the respect of the environment and the transfer of skills while leaving sustainable infrastructure at very competitive costs whose quality respects all the standards of road construction.

During the implementation of the project, 166,642 HJ of jobs were created for the benefit of 1,018 people from the local population, and a sum of 1,817,050,000 Ar (480,197 USD) was paid as salaries, i.e. 33.24% of the total amount of the works contracts.

Project Context:

The labour-intensive approach (EIIP), implemented for about thirty years by the International Labour Organization (ILO) in Madagascar, is adopted in the realization of several projects in the field of infrastructure (rural roads, hydro-agricultural developments, urban developments, etc.) and basic social services (school buildings, market places, ...).

From 2000 to 2009, the ILO has implemented, in several regions of Madagascar, road construction/rehabilitation activities (earthen roads, selected materials, paving, etc.) and training (SMEs, design offices, workers, beneficiaries’ associations, technical maintenance committees, etc.) within the framework of different projects, namely EIIP Roads, EIIP Urban, EIIP Communal, always opting for the EIIP approach.
This project, which will run from July 2019 to December 2022, is part of a partnership agreement between the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (MINAE), through the Program for the Development of Inclusive Agricultural Sectors (DEFIS), and the ILO, with funding from the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD)

Objectives:

The development objective of the project is to contribute to the development of inclusive value chains, post-harvest infrastructure and market access. To achieve this development objective, the immediate objectives are as follows:
  • Immediate objective 1: The skills and competencies of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) and Design Offices (DOs) are strengthened in the study and design, planning, execution, control and supervision of rural road rehabilitation works using the EIIP approach.
  • Immediate Objective 2: The potential for job creation for the benefit of local populations using the labour-based approach is demonstrated.


Laboratory agents guaranteeing the geotechnical quality of the work
Laboratory agents guaranteeing the geotechnical quality of the work; © EIIP Project Madagascar

Activities and results :

During the project period, the following results were achieved:

  • 52 kilometers of roads rehabilitated
  • 1,018 jobs created (direct employment)
  • 29 SME managers trained
  • 25 construction engineers trained
  • 31 site managers trained
  • 9 design offices trained
  • 16 trained works supervisors
  • 480,197 USD (1,817,050,000 MGA) in total wages paid, i.e. 33.24% of the total road construction market.

 A team leader on a construction site in Ambalatany
A team leader (in white helmet) on a construction site in Ambalatany, Farafangana District, Atsimo Atsinanana Region; © photo EIIP