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Decent work and human rights - definitions

 

According to the definition of the International Labor Organization, decent work can be defined as work that guarantees: decent income, a safe workplace, good prospects for personal development and social integration; freedom to talk about problems in the workplace, organize and participate in decisions that affect employees' lives; equal opportunities and treatment for all women and men.

 

"Decent work" and human rights are closely intertwined concepts, with "decent work" being a central element of the broader framework of human rights. "Decent work" is a concept promoted by the International Labour Organization (ILO) and refers to employment that is characterized by respect for human rights, fair working conditions, and opportunities for personal development and social integration. Here's how "decent work" and human rights relate to each other:

 

  1. Right to Work: The right to work is a fundamental human right, and decent work is an embodiment of this right. It ensures that individuals have access to employment opportunities, free from discrimination and with a guarantee of fair working conditions.
  2. Freedom from Discrimination: Decent work includes the absence of discrimination in the workplace based on factors such as gender, age, ethnicity, sexual orientation, and more. This aligns with the human rights principles of equality and non-discrimination.
  3. Right to Just and Favorable Conditions of Work: Decent work promotes fair wages, safe and healthy working conditions, reasonable working hours, and social protection, which are all elements of the human right to just and favorable conditions of work.
  4. Freedom of Association: The right to form and join trade unions and engage in collective bargaining is a human right. Decent work supports this right by allowing workers to participate in trade unions and have a voice in their working conditions.
  5. Right to Education and Training: Decent work is linked to the right to education and training, as it provides opportunities for personal and professional development. Access to education and training is a human right, and decent work helps facilitate this access.
  6. Freedom from Forced Labor and Child Labor: Decent work opposes all forms of forced labor and child labor. These issues are human rights violations, and decent work strives to eliminate them from the workplace.
  7. Right to a Standard of Living Adequate for Health and Well-being: Decent work ensures that workers earn wages that are adequate to meet their basic needs and those of their families, aligning with the human right to a standard of living adequate for health and well-being.
  8. Right to Participate in Cultural, Social, and Economic Life: Human rights encompass the right to participate in cultural, social, and economic life. Decent work plays a role in enabling individuals to engage in these aspects of life by providing stable employment and income.

 

  1. Right to Privacy and Dignity: Decent work respects the dignity and privacy of workers and is in line with the human rights principles of personal privacy and dignity.
  2. Right to Economic and Social Development: Human rights include the right to economic and social development. Decent work contributes to individuals' economic and social development by providing them with the opportunity for meaningful and sustainable employment.

 

 

In summary, decent work and human rights are closely interconnected, with decent work serving as a practical realization of many fundamental human rights. Promoting decent work is essential for creating a just and respectful work environment that aligns with the broader framework of human rights globally.

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