Decent Work

Decent work means work that provides a livelihood while respecting a person’s dignity, rights and security. Under the International Labour Organization (ILO) framework, it involves opportunities for productive work that delivers a fair income, workplace security, social protection, personal development and a voice in decisions affecting working life. It also requires equality of opportunity and treatment for women and men.

The four pillars of decent work

The ILO’s Decent Work Agenda rests on four interdependent pillars. Creating jobs is essential, but employment alone does not establish that work is decent.

• Employment promotion means expanding opportunities for productive employment through an enabling environment for enterprises, investment and skills development.
• Rights at work means respecting and protecting workers’ rights, including those of workers who are poorly represented or inadequately protected.
• Social protection includes social security and labour protection, such as safe working conditions and measures that provide income security against contingencies affecting livelihoods.
• Social dialogue enables governments, employers and workers to consult, negotiate and participate in shaping employment and labour policies.

Rights, equality and worker participation

Gender equality and non-discrimination are cross-cutting concerns across all four pillars, rather than separate additions to the framework.

• The ILO’s fundamental principles and rights at work cover freedom of association and effective recognition of collective bargaining, elimination of forced labour, abolition of child labour, elimination of employment discrimination, and a safe and healthy working environment.
• Workers must be able to express concerns, organise and participate in decisions affecting their lives; social dialogue gives institutional expression to this voice.
• Decent work is a goal for all workers, including those in the informal economy, rather than a standard confined to formal, salaried employment.

Why decent work goes beyond employment numbers

The framework assesses both the availability and the quality of employment. A person may be employed yet face inadequate earnings, unsafe conditions, excessive working hours or insufficient social protection.

• A fall in unemployment does not, by itself, demonstrate an improvement in decent work; working conditions and protection must also be assessed.
• Formalisation can help extend protection, but formal employment status alone does not establish compliance with every dimension of decent work.
• Sustainable Development Goal 8 links sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth with full and productive employment and decent work for all.