Towards Decent Work in Sub-Saharan Africa: Monitoring MDG Employment Indicators

Decent work – productive employment that delivers a fair income, security, freedom and dignity, social protection for families, opportunities for personal development and social integration, and equality of opportunity for men and women – is a fundamental goal for all societies. It is also a central element in the fight against global poverty and hunger. In 2008, the United Nations adopted a new target under the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) “to achieve full and productive employment and decent work for all, including women and young people”. This target has particular relevance for sub-Saharan Africa, where widespread poverty is inextricably entwined with a lack of decent work.

Drawing on broad regional labour market analyses and country case studies, this book demonstrates how the new MDG employment indicators can be used as a basis for improved labour market and poverty monitoring as well as improved employment policy development in sub-Saharan Africa. It is argued that analysis based on the MDG employment indicators provides a major building block for employment diagnostics, which in turn serves to inform growth strategies that generate more high-quality and productive jobs.