Defending Quality Public Services
July 2008 – September 2012
This project aims to defend and keep quality Public Services in the region. The goal is to enbale public sector workers to become more involved in the area of decision-making and policy development, and to influence the availability, delivery, and quality of services offered.
The beneficiaries include public sectors workers and members of community-based organizations, with an emphasis on women, in six municipalities of Nicaragua: Managua, Chinandega, Leon, Granada, Masaya and Matagalpa.
The project consists of training workshops, educational forums and the development of educational tools, including written, radial and audio-visual materials.
Since the project began, we see an Increased participation of women as providers and users of public services. 63% of 315 participants in 2010 municipal workshops were women pointing to a growing level of awareness about their dual role as providers and users of public services. There is a marked Increase in the ability of workers to evaluate and measure standards and targets for quality public services. We also find that the project has enhanced the ability of workers to be pro-active with regards to public services by fighting corruption, promoting citizen participation, transparency and accountability.
From a collective bargaining perspective there is particular attention being given to the inclusion of women’s demands in the bargaining process (inclusion of clauses on equity, sexual harassment and respect and enforcement of maternity rights and benefits).
The Canadian Labour Congress works in tandem with the Frente Nacional de Trabajadores (FNT) and the Public Service Alliance of Canada (PSAC).
Nicaragua