Decent Work and Economic Growth
Decent Work and Economic Growth is one of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) established by the United Nations in 2015. It aims to promote inclusive and sustainable economic growth, productive employment, and decent work for all.
What is Decent Work and Economic Growth?
Decent Work and Economic Growth focuses on creating opportunities for everyone to have access to quality employment that provides fair wages, social protection, and safe working conditions. It seeks to eradicate forced labor, child labor, and all forms of discrimination in the workplace. The goal emphasizes the importance of economic growth that is sustainable, inclusive, and benefits all members of society.
Definition of Decent Work and Economic Growth
Decent Work and Economic Growth Initiatives
Job Creation and Entrepreneurship
Promoting policies and programs that foster job creation, particularly in sectors that contribute to sustainable development, such as renewable energy, green technology, and digital innovation. Encouraging entrepreneurship and supporting small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) also play a crucial role.
Labor Rights and Social Protection
Ensuring compliance with international labor standards is essential to protect workers' rights. This includes fair wages, safe working conditions, and the elimination of forced labor and child labor. Additionally, establishing social protection systems that provide access to healthcare, education, and income security helps to create a safety net for workers and their families, promoting their well-being and reducing poverty.
Gender Equality in the Workplace
Promoting gender equality in the workplace is a crucial aspect of achieving decent work and economic growth. It involves ensuring equal opportunities for employment, eliminating gender-based discrimination in hiring, promotion, and pay, and encouraging the participation of women in decision-making roles and sectors traditionally dominated by men. Gender-responsive policies and initiatives are essential to foster inclusive workplaces and unlock the full potential of all individuals.
Why Decent Work and Economic Growth is Important
Poverty Eradication
Decent work and economic growth play a vital role in poverty eradication. When there is sustained economic growth, it creates more job opportunities, increases income levels, and improves living standards for individuals and communities. Access to decent work, which provides fair wages, social protection, and opportunities for personal development, helps lift people out of poverty. It enables individuals to meet their basic needs, access essential services, and break the cycle of poverty. By promoting inclusive economic growth and creating quality employment opportunities, decent work contributes significantly to poverty reduction.
Reducing Inequality
When economic growth is inclusive, it benefits not only the wealthy but also those in lower-income brackets. By creating job opportunities and ensuring fair wages, decent work helps to narrow the income gap and provide equal access to resources and opportunities. Additionally, decent work promotes social dialogue, workers' rights, and social protection, which can help address disparities in power dynamics and reduce inequality between different social groups.
Achieving Sustainable Development
Essential components of sustainable development. Sustainable development aims to meet the needs of the present generation without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. Economic growth, when pursued in a sustainable manner, ensures the efficient use of resources, minimizes environmental impacts, and supports long-term social and economic well-being. Decent work, within the framework of sustainable development, emphasizes the importance of balancing economic growth with social progress and environmental sustainability.
Decent Work and Economic Growth Statistics
200 million people
According to the International Labour Organization (ILO), as of 2021, there were over 200 million unemployed people worldwide. This figure represents individuals who are actively seeking employment but are unable to find suitable jobs. Additionally, youth unemployment rates tend to be higher than the overall unemployment rates in many countries. High youth unemployment can have long-term negative impacts on individuals and societies, including limited economic opportunities and social instability.
20% less
The United Nations (UN) shows that the gender pay gap remains a significant issue worldwide, with women on average earning about 20% less than men for comparable work, as reported by the International Labour Organization (ILO). This disparity in wages between genders persists across various countries and industries, highlighting the need for concerted efforts to address this inequality.
There are several factors that contribute to the gender pay gap. Occupational segregation is one prominent factor, where women are often concentrated in lower-paying industries or roles compared to men.
27.6 million people are victims
According to the ILO and the International Organization for Migration (IOM), approximately 27.6 million people are victims of forced labor globally. Out of these victims, around 4.9 million are subjected to forced sexual exploitation, including sex trafficking. These figures highlight the need for concerted efforts by governments, international organizations, and civil society to combat human trafficking, strengthen legal frameworks, protect victims, and address the root causes of these practices.
Decent Work and Economic Growth in the News
Linking Decent Work and Well-Being Among Chinese Millennial Employees: A Psychology of Working Perspective
The concept of decent work emphasizes the importance of creating quality employment opportunities that promote the well-being of workers. Research studies have consistently shown a positive correlation between decent work and employee well-being. Decent work encompasses factors such as fair wages, safe and healthy working conditions, job security, social protection, and opportunities for career development. When workers have access to decent work, they are more likely to experience higher job satisfaction, better mental and physical health, improved work-life balance, and increased overall well-being.
What are they and are we on track?
Decent work means opportunities for everyone to get work that is productive and delivers a fair income, security in the workplace and social protection for families, better prospects for personal development, and social integration. A continued lack of decent work opportunities, insufficient investments, and under-consumption.
Promote Sustained, Inclusive and Sustainable Economic Growth
The UN Women's work on SDG 8 involves promoting gender-responsive economic policies, supporting women's entrepreneurship and access to financial services, advocating for equal pay for equal work, and enhancing women's representation and leadership in the labor market. It emphasizes the importance of partnerships and collaboration with governments, civil society, and the private sector to drive positive change. The page further highlights the gender gaps and disparities that persist in the labor market. It mentions that women continue to face barriers such as occupational segregation, wage gaps, unequal access to leadership positions, and disproportionate burdens of unpaid care and domestic work. Addressing these gender inequalities is crucial to achieving SDG 8 and creating inclusive and sustainable economies.
How to Help Decent Work and Economic Growth Initiatives
Advocate
Advocacy efforts should focus on raising awareness about the detrimental effects of child labor and promoting policies that prioritize education and protect children's rights. This includes advocating for stronger legislation and enforcement mechanisms that prohibit child labor, ensuring access to quality education, and providing social support systems for families facing economic hardships.
Donate
Donations can support organizations that work towards providing marginalized groups with access to quality education, vocational training, and skill development opportunities.
Volunteer
This can involve volunteering as trainers, mentors, or career counselors in programs that provide vocational training, job readiness workshops, or entrepreneurship support. Volunteering in these programs empowers individuals, helps them build self-confidence, and enhances their employability.