DECENT WORK

AND THE
2030 AGENDA
FOR SUSTAINABLE
DEVELOPMENT
DECENT WORK It is no wonder that people put a decent job among their top

IS NOT JUST A GOAL –

priorities in the global consultations for the 2030 Agenda.

IT IS A DRIVER As UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has said, the 2030 goals

“address the requirements for all humanity to be able to live decent
OF SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT lives free from poverty, hunger and inequality, with all men and
women, girls and boys able to develop their full potential. They commit
More people in decent jobs means stronger and more inclusive economic growth. all of us to be responsible global citizens, caring for the less fortunate,
Improved growth means more resources to create decent jobs. It is a simple equation but as well as for our planet’s ecosystems and climate action on which
one that has been largely neglected in international policy-making both before and after all life depends”.
the 2008 financial crisis. With the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development we have
We cannot understate the challenges that lie ahead for the world of work.
a once-in-a-generation chance to make a change and improve the lives of billions.
Global unemployment remains unacceptably high at around 200 million
Decent work puts money in the pockets of individuals and families that they can spend people, while hundreds of millions more are in working poverty.
in the local economy. Their purchasing power fuels the growth and development of In addition, the next 15 years will see major transformations in the way we
sustainable enterprises, especially smaller businesses, which in turn are able to hire more work, driven by technological, environmental and demographic changes.
workers and improve their pay and conditions. It increases tax revenues for governments,
But we can realize the vision of sustainable development of this
who can then fund social measures to protect those who cannot find a job or are unable
transformative agenda by 2030 if we all come together in a global partnership
to work.
of governments, business and trade unions, as well as multilateral
Promoting jobs and enterprise, guaranteeing rights at work, extending social protection organizations, civil society and ordinary people. Each and every one of us
and promoting social dialogue are the four pillars of the ILO Decent Work Agenda, with has a role to play, to ensure no one is left behind.
gender as a cross-cutting theme. These are crucial to advancing the entire sustainable
development agenda.

Decent work for all reduces inequality and increases resilience. Policies developed through
social dialogue help people and communities cope with the impact of climate change,
while facilitating the transition towards a more sustainable economy. And not least,
the dignity, hope and sense of social justice derived from having a decent job helps build
Guy Ryder
and maintain social peace.
ILO Director-General

2 3
 Goal
8

Agenda 2030 places decent work for all, and the ILO’s mandate and purpose
of social justice, at the heart of policies for sustainable and inclusive growth
and development.
Several countries have returned to, or maintained, growth, since the 2008 financial crisis.
But too often this has been jobless growth. Our economies are doing better but people are
not seeing more opportunities to find decent work. This is not sustainable.

Over 600 million new jobs need to be created by 2030, just to keep pace with the growth
of the working-age population. That is around 40 million per year.

We also need to improve conditions for the 780 million women and men who are working
but not earning enough to lift themselves and their families out of US$2-a-day poverty.

By putting job creation at the heart of economic policy-making and development plans,
we will not only see increasing decent work opportunities but also more robust, inclusive
and poverty-reducing growth.

Amongst developing and emerging countries, those that invested the most in quality jobs
from the early 2000s grew nearly one percentage point faster every year since 2007
and experienced lower income inequalities.

Job-centred economic growth creates a virtuous circle that is as good for the economy
as it is for people and one that drives sustainable development.
GOAL

© ILO

4 5
 PROMOTE SUSTAINED, INCLUSIVE AND SUSTAINABLE ECONOMIC Goal
GROWTH, FULL AND PRODUCTIVE EMPLOYMENT AND DECENT 8
WORK FOR ALL.
8.1 Sustain per capita economic growth in 8.7 Take immediate and effective measures to
accordance with national circumstances eradicate forced labour, end modern slavery
and, in particular, at least 7 per cent gross and human trafficking and secure the
domestic product growth per annum in the prohibition and elimination of the worst forms
least developed countries. of child labour, including recruitment and
use of child soldiers, and by 2025 end child
8.2 Achieve higher levels of economic productivity
labour in all its forms.
through diversification, technological up-
grading and innovation, including through 8.8 Protect labour rights and promote safe and
a focus on high-value added and labour- secure working environments for all workers,
intensive sectors. including migrant workers, in particular
women migrants, and those in precarious
8.3 Promote development-oriented policies that
employment.
support productive activities, decent job
creation, entrepreneurship, creativity and 8.9 By 2030, devise and implement policies
innovation, and encourage the formalization to promote sustainable tourism that creates
and growth of micro-, small- and medium- jobs and promotes local culture and products.
sized enterprises, including through access
to financial services. 8.10 Strengthen the capacity of domestic financial
institutions to encourage and expand access
8.4 Improve progressively, through 2030, glo- to banking, insurance and financial services
bal resource efficiency in consumption for all.
and production and endeavour to decouple
economic growth from environmental 8.a Increase Aid for Trade support for developing
degradation, in accordance with the 10-year countries, in particular least developed
framework of programmes on sustainable countries, including through the Enhanced
consumption and production, with developed Integrated Framework for Trade-Related
countries taking the lead. Technical Assistance to Least Developed
Countries.
8.5 By 2030, achieve full and productive
GOAL

employment and decent work for all women 8.b By 2020, develop and operationalize a global
and men, including for young people and strategy for youth employment and implement
persons with disabilities, and equal pay for the Global Jobs Pact of the International

© World Bank
work of equal value. Labour Organization.

8.6 By 2020, substantially reduce the proportion

of youth not in employment, education or
training.

6 7
 Target
8.3
Decent job creation in small businesses
Promote development-oriented policies that support productive activities, decent job
creation, entrepreneurship, creativity and innovation, and encourage the formalization
and growth of micro-, small- and medium-sized enterprises, including through access
to financial services
Micro-, small- and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) are the world’s job creators,
accounting for at least two-thirds of all jobs worldwide. They were also the businesses
hardest hit by the financial crisis as access to credit became restricted. Small enterprises are
also often found in the informal sector, where working conditions are in practice unregulated.

What needs to be done:

n Small businesses need to be supported in the coming years as labour markets transform and
entrepreneurial activity strengthens. Policies should reflect and respond to the diversity of new
companies, in terms of size, structure and sector.
n Access to finance should be made easier and the right conditions created to allow enterprises
to flourish. Working conditions should be improved and MSMEs helped to move to the
formal economy.
GOAL

© [Link] / ILO

© M. Crozet / ILO
8 9
 Target
8.5
Decent work for all
By 2030, achieve full and productive employment and decent work for all women
and men, including for young people and persons with disabilities, and equal pay
for work of equal value

With around 200 million people out of work worldwide, full employment remains a distant
reality for many countries. If we are to reduce the jobless figures, full employment needs
to be set as a target for macroeconomic policies at the national and international levels.

In many parts of the world, women are often in undervalued and low-paid jobs, and lack
access to education, training and recruitment. They have limited bargaining and decision-
making power and still shoulder responsibility for most unpaid care work. Globally, only
about half of the world’s women are in the labour force, compared to nearly 80 per cent
of men, earning on average 23 per cent less than men, with mothers particularly hard hit.

What needs to be done:

n Macroeconomic policies that promote job creation and support demand and investment
need to be prioritized, along with tax, infrastructure and sector-specific policies that enhance
productivity.
n Policies to support business should be adopted to increase credit flows and promote
entrepreneurship and small businesses, while encouraging the transition from the informal to
the formal economy.
n People-centred policies that reduce inequalities must be implemented. These include social
protection measures, wage policies, strengthened labour inspection, increased female labour
market participation and protecting collective bargaining.
GOAL

n Policies need to be put in place to help women enter the labour force and enable them to benefit
from fair maternity protection and work–family policies.

© P. Deloche / ILO

10 11
 Target
8.6
Youth employment
By 2020, substantially reduce the proportion of youth not in employment, education
or training
Worldwide, over 73 million young people (aged 15–24) were looking for work in 2014.
The global share of youth not in employment, education or training reached more than
one in five. In addition, more than one-third of young people with jobs in the developing
world were living on less than US$2 a day in 2013.

Early school-leavers are those most likely to remain trapped in jobs where their rights are
not respected and where they work in conditions of great insecurity and poverty.

The experience of unemployment or underemployment early in life has “scarring” effects

that can damage long-term job and life prospects.

Ensuring a virtuous circle of education and training, higher productivity, more and better
quality employment and economic growth would have huge social and economic benefits.

What needs to be done:

n Develop strategies to promote youth employment that balance an integrated strategy for growth
and job creation with targeted interventions, such as job search assistance, or measures to
support young entrepreneurs.
n Address skills mismatch by ensuring that training programmes meet labour market needs and by
introducing work experience components in technical vocational education and training.
n Invest in innovative forms of social protection to improve income security for workers in

© François Nascimbeni / AFP

GOAL

vulnerable employment.

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 Target
8.7
Forced labour and child labour
Take immediate and effective measures to eradicate forced labour, end modern slavery
and human trafficking and secure the prohibition and elimination of the worst forms
of child labour, including recruitment and use of child soldiers, and by 2025 end child
labour in all its forms

There are 168 million children – over 10 per cent of the global child population – in child
labour. The number has fallen since 2000 but remains at unacceptable levels.

Twenty-one million people are in forced labour worldwide, more than 11 million of whom
are women and girls. The vast majority of victims are exploited by private individuals
or enterprises, generating over US$150 billion in illegal profits per year.

What needs to be done:

■ International labour standards – which provide a strong framework for tackling child
and forced labour – need to be implemented at the national level.

■ A multifaceted approach to ending child labour is needed, including legislation, access

to education for all children, social protection for families and labour market policies.

■ The 2014 ILO Protocol on forced labour, which includes provisions for addressing
modern forms of slavery, requires ratification at the national level.
GOAL

© Lisa_Kristine.com

© N. Osseiran / ILO
14 15
 Target
8.8
Safety and health at work
Protect labour rights and promote safe and secure working environments for all
workers, including migrant workers, in particular women migrants, and those
in precarious employment

Every day, 6,400 people die from an occupational accident or disease, amounting to
2.3 million deaths each year. A further 860,000 people are injured on the job daily.
The cost to businesses amounts to US$2.8 trillion annually – 4 per cent of global gross
domestic product – through lost working time, interruptions in production, treatment of
occupational injuries and diseases, rehabilitation and compensation.

What needs to be done:

n Urgent action is needed to build a global culture of prevention that respects the right to a safe
and healthy working environment and ensures that both employers and workers know their rights
and responsibilities.
n Implementation of ILO fundamental rights and standards at the national level is crucial. Vulnerable
groups, including migrants, require particular attention to ensure that their rights are protected
and working conditions improved.
GOAL

© M. Crozet / ILO

© M. Crozet / ILO
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 Target
8.b
Making it all happen
By 2020, develop and operationalize a global strategy for youth employment
and implement the Global Jobs Pact of the ILO
The ILO Global Jobs Pact was adopted in 2009 by governments, employers and workers
in the aftermath of the financial crisis. It proposes a range of measures based on
successful examples that are designed to accelerate decent job creation and build and
maintain social protection systems.

It urges governments to consider options such as public infrastructure investment, special

employment programmes, broadening of social protection and minimum wages.

Similarly, the ILO’s 2012 resolution on youth employment provides a set of tried and tested
measures specifically aimed at improving the labour market chances of young people.

The will is there, illustrated not least by commitments made by G20 countries to prioritize
job creation and social protection in successive Summit communiqués. However, for
change on the scale proposed by the 2030 Agenda to happen, an enhanced global
partnership is needed to strengthen international cooperation and policy coherence.

The ILO’s long experience as a tripartite organization is an enormously valuable asset in

this regard. For nearly a century our governance structure has combined governments,
representatives of the business community and trade unions.

© Sofie Tesson / Taimani Films / World Bank

The ILO will build on this tripartite structure to ensure our resources are used effectively
and that we play a defining role in the new partnerships that must drive the implementation
of the 2030 Agenda.
GOAL

DECENT WORK IS THE FOUNDATION FOR SUCCESS ACROSS THE 2030 AGENDA.
THE FOLLOWING PAGES HIGHLIGHT THOSE SPECIFIC TARGETS ON WHICH THE ILO
IS ALREADY WORKING TO ENSURE THAT NO ONE IS LEFT BEHIND.

For more information, please visit [Link]/sdg2030

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 The most important asset for people living in poverty Food production requires labour, and agriculture employs
is the potential of their own labour; their capacity to more people than any other sector. Furthermore, most people
work productively. Decent work for all, including social in extreme poverty live in rural areas, many dependent on
protection, is therefore the main route out of poverty for earnings from agriculture. Decent work in sustainable
individuals, communities and countries. agriculture and food value chains is therefore crucial to
reaching this goal.
1.1 By 2030, eradicate extreme poverty for all people
everywhere, currently measured as living on less than 2.3 Double the agricultural productivity and incomes
of small-scale food producers.

2
US$1.25 a day.

1
1.2 By 2030, reduce at least by half the proportion of men, 2.4 Implement resilient agricultural practices that increase

© [Link]
women and children living in poverty in all its dimensions productivity and production.
© M. Crozet / ILO

GOAL
GOAL

according to national definitions.

1.3 Implement nationally appropriate social protection

systems.

1.4 Ensure that all men and women have equal rights to economic resources, including
microfinance.

1.5 By 2030, build the resilience of the poor and those in vulnerable situations and reduce
their exposure and vulnerability to climate-related extreme events and other economic,
social and environmental shocks and disasters.

1.b Create sound policy frameworks at the national, regional and international levels,
based on pro-poor and gender-sensitive development strategies, to support accelerated
investment in poverty eradication actions.
© M. Crozet / ILO

© World Bank
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 Healthy workers and decent and safe working conditions Education, as well as an end in itself, is also a means to
increase the productive capacity of the workforce. getting a decent job, especially for young people, while
Conversely, lack of access to medically necessary health lifelong learning is needed to keep up with the changing
care, as well as occupational injuries and diseases, often skills needed for the labour market.
drive people out of the workforce and into poverty. At the
same time, the health sector is employing ever more people 4.4 By 2030, substantially increase the number of youth
around the world who also need decent working conditions
and adults who have relevant skills, including technical
to deliver universal access to needed health care.
and vocational skills, for employment, decent jobs and
entrepreneurship.

3 4
3.3 By 2030, end the epidemic of AIDS.
4.5 Eliminate gender disparities in education and ensure
3.8 Achieve universal health coverage.
equal access to all levels of education.

© USC Upstate

GOAL
GOAL

© World Bank

3.9 By 2030, substantially reduce the number of deaths

4.b By 2020, substantially expand globally the number
and illnesses from hazardous chemicals and air, water
of scholarships available to developing countries for
and soil pollution and contamination.
enrolment in higher education, including vocational
training.

4.c By 2030, substantially increase the supply of qualified teachers.

© Julien Harneis / Flickr

© Marcel Crozet / ILO

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 Women’s economic empowerment is fundamental to gender Water affects workers’ lives through its presence, its quality
equality. For most women, the most important source of and its quantity. Investments in water and sanitation can
economic empowerment and dignity is a job. Closing create paid and decent jobs and thereby contribute to
gender gaps in employment, ensuring decent work for all sustainable development.
women and equal pay for work of equal value is thus key to
achieving gender equality. 6.3 By 2030, improve water quality by reducing pollution,
eliminating dumping and minimizing release of
5.1 End all forms of discrimination against all women hazardous chemicals and materials, halving the

6
and girls. proportion of untreated wastewater and substantially
5.2 Eliminate all forms of violence against all women and girls increasing recycling and safe reuse globally.
in the public and private spheres, including trafficking.

GOAL
GOAL

© World Bank
© World Bank

5.4 Recognize and value unpaid care and domestic work

through the provision of public services, infrastructure
and social protection policies and the promotion of
shared responsibility within the household and the
family as nationally appropriate.

5.5 Ensure women’s full and effective participation and

equal opportunities for leadership at all levels of
decision-making in political, economic and public life.

5.a Undertake reforms to give women equal rights to economic resources.

5.c Adopt and strengthen sound policies and enforceable legislation for the promotion
of gender equality and the empowerment of all women and girls at all levels.

24 25
 The transition to a greener economy will require, and should Industrial development is crucial to the world of work, and
be informed by, the contribution of the ILO’s “Guidelines decent work is fundamental to making such development
for a just transition towards environmentally sustainable inclusive, innovative and socially sustainable. Labour
economies and societies for all”, which are based on the intensive infrastructure development programmes have
principles of Decent Work. significant employment benefits for women and men living
in poverty.
7.1 By 2030, ensure universal access to affordable, reliable
and modern energy services. 9.1 Develop quality, reliable, sustainable and resilient
infrastructure to support economic development and
7.2 By 2030, increase substantially the share of renewable

9
human well-being.

7
energy in the global energy mix.
9.2 Promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization and

© M. Crozet / ILO
7.b By 2030, expand infrastructure and upgrade technology

GOAL
significantly raise industry’s share of employment.
GOAL

© World Bank

for supplying modern and sustainable energy services

for all in developing countries, in particular least 9.3 Increase the access of small-scale industrial and other
developed countries, small island developing States, enterprises, to financial services, value chains.
and land-locked developing countries, in accordance
with their respective programmes of support.
© M. Crozet / ILO

© M. Crozet / ILO
26 27
 Decent work, with its emphasis on a fair income, security The creation of decent work opportunities is fundamental
in the workplace and social protection for individuals to sustainable urban development. The way urban labour
and families, is a direct means to reduce inequalities markets develop is in turn central to whether job creation
in income, wealth and economic influence. yields decent poverty-reducing employment. A Decent Work
Agenda for urbanization can make cities more productive,
10.1 Progressively achieve and sustain income growth of inclusive and sustainable.
the bottom 40 per cent of the population.
11.1 By 2030, ensure access for all to adequate, safe and

11
10.2 Empower and promote the social, economic and

10
affordable housing and basic services.
political inclusion of all, irrespective of age, sex,
disability, race, ethnicity, origin, religion or economic 11.2 Provide access to safe, affordable, accessible and
or other status. sustainable transport systems for all.
© M. Crozet / ILO

GOAL
GOAL

© World Bank
10.3 Ensure equal opportunity and reduce inequalities of 11.c Support least developed countries in building
outcome, including by eliminating discriminatory laws, sustainable and resilient buildings utilizing local
policies and practices and promoting appropriate materials.
legislation, policies and action.

10.4 Adopt policies, especially fiscal, wage and social

protection policies, and progressively achieve gender
equality.

10.5 Improve the regulation and monitoring of global

financial markets and institutions and strengthen the
implementation of such regulations.

10.6 Ensure enhanced representation and voice for developing countries in decision-making
in global international economic and financial institutions in order to deliver more
effective, credible, accountable and legitimate institutions.

10.7 Facilitate orderly, safe, regular and responsible migration.

10.c By 2030, reduce to less than 3 per cent the transaction costs of migrant remittances
and eliminate remittance corridors with costs higher than 5 per cent.

© Dafyold Penguin / Flickr

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 A just transition to the changed employment patterns Climate change action will require active involvement from
consequent on changed consumption and production the world of work and will benefit greatly from the application
patterns is critical to the implementation of this goal. Decent of the Decent Work Agenda, including by following the ILO’s
work for all – in particular green jobs – will contribute to “Guidelines for a just transition towards environmentally
making development environmentally sustainable. sustainable economies and societies for all”.

12.1 Implement the 10-year framework of programmes 13.1 Strengthen resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-

12
on sustainable consumption and production. related hazards and natural disasters in all countries.
12.4 By 2020, achieve the environmentally sound
management of chemicals and all wastes throughout

13
their life cycle, in accordance with agreed international

GOAL
GOAL

frameworks, and significantly reduce their release to

© World Bank

© World Bank
air, water and soil in order to minimize their adverse
impacts on human health and the environment.

12.6 Encourage companies to adopt sustainable practices

and to integrate sustainability information into their
reporting cycle.

12.a Support developing countries to strengthen their

scientific and technological capacity to move towards
more sustainable patterns of consumption and
production.

12.b Develop and implement tools to monitor sustainable

development impacts for sustainable tourism that
creates jobs.
© M. Crozet / ILO

© Jaymantri
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 Decent work for all, including fair remuneration and working Ensuring that protecting the terrestrial environment is
conditions to the world’s seafarers and fishers, is a foundation integrated into poverty-reducing national and local
for conserving marine resources and reducing overfishing. development strategies requires a focus on decent work
for all land workers.
14.4 Effectively regulate harvesting and end overfishing,
illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing. 15.b Mobilize significant resources from all sources and at
all levels to finance sustainable forest management.
14.6 By 2020, prohibit certain forms of fisheries subsidies
which contribute to overcapacity and overfishing,
eliminate subsidies that contribute to illegal, unreported

14
and unregulated fishing.

15

© Andrew Coelho
14.7 By 2030, increase the economic benefits to Small

GOAL
GOAL

© World Bank

Island developing States and least developed

countries from the sustainable use of marine
resources, including through sustainable management
of fisheries, aquaculture and tourism.

© Gustav Gullstrand
© Milada Vigerova

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 Effective and inclusive institutions that promote decent work Partnerships in and around the world of work are key
for all, based on respect for international labour standards components of a revitalized Global Partnership for Sustainable
and shaped through social dialogue are fundamental to just Development. Further strengthening the capacity of employers’
and peaceful societies and participative decision-making. and worker’s organizations to work with governments and
international partners to drive forward the decent work
16.2 End abuse, exploitation, trafficking and all forms dimensions of the 2030 Agenda is vital to its successful
of violence against and torture of children. implementation.

16
16.3 Promote the rule of law at the national and international 17.9 Enhance international support for implementing
levels and ensure equal access to justice for all. effective and targeted capacity-building in developing
16.6 Develop effective, accountable and transparent countries.

17
institutions at all levels. 17.13 Enhance global macroeconomic stability, including

GOAL
GOAL

© World Bank
16.7 Ensure responsive, inclusive, participatory and through policy coordination and policy coherence.
© World Bank

representative decision-making at all levels. 17.14 Enhance policy coherence for sustainable development.
16.8 Broaden and strengthen the participation of developing 17.17 Encourage and promote effective public, public–
countries in the institutions of global governance. private and civil society partnerships.
16.10 Ensure public access to information and protect 17.18 Enhance capacity-building support to developing
fundamental freedoms, in accordance with countries, to increase high-quality, timely and
international agreements. reliable data.
16.a Strengthen relevant national institutions, including through international cooperation,
for building capacity at all levels, to prevent violence and combat terrorism and crime.

16.b Promote and enforce non-discriminatory laws and policies for sustainable development.

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© ILO
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