Project Overview

1. Project Overview Enhancing Information and Communication system in GEFONT - Buddhi Acharya GEFONT

2. Project Overview • WORKING TITLE • Enhancing Information and Communication system in GEFONT • RESPONSIBLE INSTITUTION: • General Federation of Nepalese Trade Unions (GEFONT)

3. Project Overview • DURATION: 12 Months • STARTING DATE: 1st January 2005 • COMPLETION DATE: 31 December 2005 • PREPARATION DATE:30 Nov. 2004

4. Background and Justification • Problem Analysis • Nepali trade union movement has not fully utilized IT in their daily life • Still Nepali trade union movement is following the traditional style for unionization • Movement has not fully realized the importance of IT and it’s relevancy.

5. Background and Justification • Justification • information technology is changing the structure of the labour market • The internet and world-wide web are becoming increasingly important in working life • social partner organisations are taking full advantage of new technology

6. Background and Justification • Justification • Using ICT within a trade union definitely improves in services and smoothness in the movement • communication between the central bodies of organisations and representatives at different levels • quick international action against the trade union violence can be taken using the information technology

7. Strategy • Declared define policy on information technology • Institutional capacity building mainly at Zone level offices • Sensitization of rank and file activists on benefits of open source software • Necessary Support is provided by GEFONT central office

8. Target Group • GEFONT departmental secretary • Central Women Workers Department central committee members • Zone secretary and officials • Affiliates union central committee • 100 Top cadres

9. Objectives • Development • Enhanced information sharing and networking through information communication technology (ICT) • Strong alliance building in national, regional and international level. • Strengthened advocacy and campaigning activities among the trade unions

10. Objectives • Immediate Objectives • All affiliates and all GEFONT office will be equipped with at least one personal computer. • Six GEFONT affiliate unions and two zone offices can keep up to date with developments in wage negotiations, further and continuing education, list of books and other materials of GEFONT resource centre and other important work-related issues and activities from GEFONT central database server.

11. Objectives • Immediate Objectives • 10 zone offices and 12 GEFONT affiliates will use email for fast communication and 200 activists will be connected with solicomm.net • 35 GEFONT cadres from affiliates will be familiar with Open office software • Members and non-members can interact via GEFONT website.

12. Major Outputs • Network among affiliates, zone offices and GEFONT central office • Use of open office and solicomm.net • Interactive website about national and international trade union movement and also for solidarity and advocacy

13. Activities Administrative arrangement and preparatory output • Recruitment of Program Co-ordinator • Selection of affiliates and GEFONT zone offices • Design and publish a Programme chart for clear understanding of the Programme • Orientation on Programme to the affiliates and member of IT cell of GEFONT

14. Activities Output-1: Network among affiliates, zone offices and GEFONT central office • Establish data base server in GEFONT central office using MySql with Internet interface. • Buy Internet access for those offices which do not have • Establish Network with central server to affiliates and zone offices

15. Activities Output-2: Use of open office and solicomm.net • Select and train 45 GEFONT activists for training on open office and solicomm.net • Conduct the three different training for different participants on Open Office and Solicomm.net • Motivate women to participate in training through Central Women Workers Departments -CWWD • Encourage participant to use the solicomm.net for their union activities and connect their member via solicomm.net

16. Activities Output-3: Interactive website on national and international trade union movement and also for solidarity and advocacy • Regularly update GEFONT existing website www.gefont.org • Adding features of News update, Library, Online legal service, interactive migrant sector using PHP in frontend and MySql in backend • Incorporate labourstart.org active action and top headlines • Post labour related news on labourstart.org regularly • Request ILO/TURIN for free webspace.

17. Monitoring • A schedule of Action Plan will be prepared prior to implementation • The two member committee including the Programme Co-ordinator will monitor the Programme activities regularly • The feedback and changes suggested by the monitoring committee will be incorporated from time to time in achieving the objectives of the Programme

18. Final Evaluation • Evaluation on effectiveness, efficiency, relevance, unanticipated effects, alternative strategies and other implementation issues of the Programm