Document Abstract
Published:
2008
Pathways to decent work in a global economy
Promoting decent work for all
This paper contributes to the discussion on decent work and fair globalisation. It briefly reviews some of the main findings of research regarding the impact of globalisation on jobs and labour standards, leading up to a description of the Decent Work Agenda. It also looks at efforts by the international community to promote decent work for all.
Discussion is based on four core labour standards; the freedom of association and the effective recognition of the right to collective bargaining, the elimination of all forms of forced or compulsory labour, the effective abolition of child labour, and the elimination of discrimination for employment and occupation. It is argued that after a few decades of market-driven globalisation which has brought amazing growth and improvement of living conditions for hundreds of millions of people, it has become clear that trade liberalisation and technological change in themselves are insufficient to eradicate poverty and improve the means of subsistence for those left in competition for jobs and income in the emerging global markets.
While markets, capital and production chains have become increasingly global in nature, the means of governance remain predominantly national in scope and have become less effective in protecting vulnerable groups and shaping market dynamics.
The authors conclude by highlighting a number of challenges that face promoters of the Decent Work Agenda. These include:
Discussion is based on four core labour standards; the freedom of association and the effective recognition of the right to collective bargaining, the elimination of all forms of forced or compulsory labour, the effective abolition of child labour, and the elimination of discrimination for employment and occupation. It is argued that after a few decades of market-driven globalisation which has brought amazing growth and improvement of living conditions for hundreds of millions of people, it has become clear that trade liberalisation and technological change in themselves are insufficient to eradicate poverty and improve the means of subsistence for those left in competition for jobs and income in the emerging global markets.
While markets, capital and production chains have become increasingly global in nature, the means of governance remain predominantly national in scope and have become less effective in protecting vulnerable groups and shaping market dynamics.
The authors conclude by highlighting a number of challenges that face promoters of the Decent Work Agenda. These include:
- improved compliance to strengthen awareness, monitoring, incentives and development of adequate mechanisms of global standards enforcement even beyond the area of trade- mobilisation of a multitude of factors is required to boost momentum in this area
- enhanced goal achievement requires more effective and targeted use of the scant resources in the field of global social and labour market policies, calling for more interagency cooperation
- greater coherence and coordination of the aims, priorities and efforts of the different actors in the area is of utmost importance to enhance momentum, synergies and efficacy, thereby boosting results
- stronger capacity of action depends in the end also on the ability to mobilise resources and credibility, and vice versa.
