120
Public Works as a Safety Net
large-scale projects may need various layers of staff. They will report to either the community, the contractor, or any other agency charged with implementation of that particular project. The typical management positions at a worksite include the following: • Site managers. A site manager has overall responsibility for the worksite to ensure the provision of resources for the project (tools and materials in particular), monitor attendance, approve the payroll, obtain technical assistance, conduct training, and track monitoring indicators. The site manager is accountable for the timely completion and quality of works according to the program objectives and should prepare progress and final reports for the implementing agencies. • Crew leaders. Crew leaders supervise the daily performance of crew members, distribute work tasks, keep attendance and maintain muster rolls, ensure proper use of materials, and administer the tools used by crew members. Crew leaders should also be responsible for the safety of crew members and report any disciplinary problems to authorities at the local/district level. They are usually selected by the community or by their team members. Preferably, they should have some literacy and numeracy skills and some experience in executing projects and in recordkeeping. Crew leaders should also receive theoretical and practical training before the start of the program, and need to be equipped with the necessary tools and materials to facilitate their job. Crew leaders can be remunerated as semiskilled labor. The inclusion of women as crew leaders is suggested. • Other supervisors. Foremen/women may be necessary in the case of large-scale projects where a large number of crews are participating. Foremen/women supervise and direct various crews and report to the site manager. If the complexity of the project requires it, oversight by an engineer or other technical expert would be advisable. Where projects are implemented by line departments at the local level, engineering personnel could act as team leaders.
Worker Organization Workers are selected and organized into labor crews to conduct specific tasks for the project. Organizing the labor, including the number of days and hours to be worked, is done by the management team. In the assignment of tasks, due consideration should be given to women’s special needs.