Dear all,

At the 90th Session (June 2002), the Conference adopted a resolution concerning decent work and the informal economy. This resolution adopted the conclusions of the general discussion on this topic and invited the Governing Body to:

"include an identifiable and highly visible programme of work with dedicated resources that is able to draw together relevant expertise including experts in workers' and employers' activities."

Since then, not only the Governing Body but also constituents and donors have become anxious that work progress as quickly as possible. There is considerable pressure to move forward. In this light, a workshop is being organized in Turin for 10-12 February 2003, with a view to developing a framework for the ILO's programme of work on the informal economy with specific reference to technical cooperation.

INTEGRATION's RBTC will cover the costs of one official member per Sector and per Region from those serving on the smaller Working Group on the Informal Economy.

Sectors and Regions are encouraged to send up to three additional representatives each.

We hope that when choosing the additional representatives preference will be given to those gender specialists who are already here for workshops and to worker and employer specialists. ACT/EMP and ACTRAV are the lead units for the cash surplus under the heading "strengthening tripartism", for which slightly under one third is to go to work relating to the informal economy. We are therefore looking to ACT/EMP and ACTRAV to make part of their contribution to this workshop the funding of employer and worker field representatives.

We very much appreciate your support for this initiative, and offer apologies for the tight time-frame.

With best regards,
Gerry Rodgers