Preserving the environment for present and upcoming generations is everyone’s duty. The exploitation of natural resources is among the most serious fears of economic and sustainable development. The nature of employment prospects will be affected in many ways as the market shifts towards better sustainability. In this fast moving trend towards sustainability, it is important to acknowledge the environmental challenge on the one hand and the decent work challenge on the other.

Although green jobs aim to protect the environment they do not necessarily provide a safe and healthy workplace for employees. These jobs may be unclean, hazardous and complicated. Employment in waste management and recycling industries and construction work can be unsafe and impose a health threat to workers.

Therefore green jobs need to be concurrent with safe and healthy environments within the workplace itself. As Mr. Juan Somavia, Director-General of the International Labour Organization (ILO), emphasized: “Building a low-carbon economy is not only about the technology of finances, it is about people and society. It is about a cultural change to greater environmental conspicuousness and opportunities for decent work”.

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