Transnational regulation of temporary agency work compromised partnership between Private Employment Agencies and Global Union Federations

This article critically assesses the potential for the international regulation of temporary agency work (TAW) through building partnership between the Global Union Federations (GUFs) and major Private Employment Agencies (PrEAs). Given the limits of existing national and international regulation of TAW, particularly in developing countries, and the current deadlock in dialogue through the International Labour Organization, the argument of this article is that Transnational Private Labour Regulation (TPLR) offers a unique opportunity to establish a basis for minimum standards for temporary agency workers. This article goes on to propose three potential TPLR frameworks that, although compromised, are transparent, fair and sufficiently elastic to accommodate the distributive and political risks associated with partnership. They also offer important gains, namely increasing the competitive advantage of the PrEAs involved, minimum standards for agency workers and ‘field enlarging’ strategies for the GUFs and their affiliates

Balance Retraining In Post Stroke Patients Using A Simple, Effective And Affordable Technique

Purpose Balance impairment is important sequel of stroke that is of primary concern in physiotherapy intervention. This quasi-experimental study evaluated the efficacy of stepper in training balance in post stroke patients; and the effects of change in balance performance on motor function. Subjects Eight individuals (6 males and 2 females) presenting with hemiparesis resulting from first incidence hemispheric cerebrovascular disease (age=61.38 ± 6.04 years) who were receiving physiotherapy on out-patient basis at a tertiary health facility in Nigeria participated in this study. All subjects had attained independent walking status without the use of any assistive device. Methods Subjects performed 60 repetitions stepping exercise on a stepper at own self-determined pace, twice a week for 6 consecutive weeks. Progression of the exercise was by increasing the repetition by 10 every week. Baseline and post-training balance and motor function were assessed using Berg Balance Scale (BBS) and Motor Assessment Scale (MAS) respectively. Results Analyses using the Wilcoxon signed rank test showed significant improvement in some of the BBS activities viz. the tandem standing (z = - 2.42; p=0.01); standing on one leg (z=-2.59; p=0.00); turning trunk with feet fixed (z= -2.07; p=0.03); turning 3600 (z = -2.12;p=0.03); stool stepping (z =-1.89; p=0.05) and reaching forward in standing (z= -2.56; p= 0.01). Significant improvement were also recorded in the moving from supine to side lying (z = -2.06; p=0.03); sitting to standing (z = -2.33; p=0.02); walking (z=-2.40; p=0.01); hand movements (z = -2.44; p=0.01); and advanced hand movements (z = -2.00; p=0.04) on the MAS. Conclusion The outcomes suggest that both balance and motor function could be improved in individuals who have suffered a stroke using the stepper as a training tool. Further studies involving large sampling size is however needed to make a conclusive inference Objectifs Les troubles de l\'équilibre sont des séquelles importantes des accidents vasculaires cérébraux (AVC). Cette étude se propose d\'évaluer l\'efficacité de « stepper » dans la rééducation des troubles de l\'équilibre chez des patients après un AVC et les répercussions sur la fonction motrice. Méthodes Huit patients - 6 hommes et 2 femmes - présentant une hémiparésie en rapport avec un AVC ( âge = 61,38+/- 6,04 ans) ont bénéficié d\'une physiothérapie en ambulatoire dans un centre hospitalier tertiaire au Nigéria. Tous les patients ont eu une marche autonome sans l\'aide d\'une quelconque assistance. Les patients ont effectué 60 séances répétitives de stepping sur un mode auto-adapté, deux fois par semaine et ce durant 6 semaines consécutives. La progression des exercices a été augmentée toutes les dix semaines. L\'évaluation a été réalisée a l\'aide de la Berg Balance Scale (BBS) et la Motor Assessment Scale (MAS) Résultats Les analyses utilisant le test de Wilcoxon ont noté une amélioration significative sur les activités BBS vs la station bipodale (z = - 2.42; p=0.01) station unipodale (z=-2.59; p=0.00); rotation du tronc avec un pied fixe (z = -2.12;p=0.03) ; retournement 3600 (z = -2.12;p=0.03); stool stepping (z =-1.89; p=0.05) et reaching forward in standing (z= -2.56; p= 0.01). Une amélioration significative a été relevée lors du passage de la position couchée en décubitus latéral (z = -2.06; p=0.03);de la station assise à la station debout (z = -2.33; p=0.02); à la marche (z=-2.40; p=0.01); la des mains (z = -2.44; p=0.01); et l\'avancée des mains (z = -2.00; p=0.04) sur le MAS Conclusion L\'évolution atteste que l\'équilibre et la fonction motrice pourraient être améliorées chez les patients ayant eu un AVC en utilisant la méthode du stepper. Toutefois des études plus larges sont nécessaires pour valider cette technique. Keywords: Stroke, Balance, Training, Exercise, Stepper.African Journal of Neurological Sciences Vol. 26 (2) 2007: pp. 39-4