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Decent work and the 2030 Agenda for sustainable development

The 2030 Agenda embraces three dimensions of sustainability – economic, social and environmental. It has 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) that put people and planet at its centre, giving the international community a framework for tackling the many challenges confronting humanity, including those in the world of work.

The importance of decent work in achieving sustainable development is highlighted by Goal 8 which aims to “promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all”.

As a custodian agency, the ILO reports labour statistics on 14 decent work indicators, grouped under 5 of the 17 SDG Goals.

What is Decent Work?

Productive employment and decent work are key elements in achieving fair globalization and poverty reduction. The ILO has developed an agenda for the world of work focused on job creation, rights at work, social protection and social dialogue — the four pillars of decent work.

Decent work encapsulates the aspirations of people in their working lives. It involves opportunities for work that is productive and delivers a fair income; security in the workplace and social protection for all; better prospects for personal development and social integration; freedom for people to express their concerns, organize and participate in the decisions that affect their lives; and equality of opportunity and treatment for all women and men.