The multifaceted nature of work - combining rights at work with social protection and the promotion of social dialogue – makes its measurement a complex task. The ILO Declaration on Social Justice for a Fair Globalization thus recommended that member States may consider “the establishment of appropriate indicators or statistics, if necessary with the assistance of the ILO, to monitor and evaluate progress made”.

In September 2008, the ILO convened an international Tripartite Meeting of Experts (TME) on the Measurement of Decent Work, and consequently, adopted a framework of Decent Work Indicators – statistic and legal – that was endorsed by the 18th International Conference of Labour Statisticians.

The ILO Framework Work Indicators covers ten substantive elements corresponding to the four strategic pillars of the Decent Work Agenda (full and productive employment, rights at work, social protection and the promotion of social dialogue), as following:

1. employment opportunities

2. adequate earnings and productive work

3. decent working time

4. combining work, family and personal life

5. work that should be abolished

6. stability and security of work

7. equal opportunity and treatment in employment

8. safe work environment

9. social security

10. social dialogue, employers’ and workers’ representation

In collaboration with the Department of Statistics, other technical units and the ILO’s field offices, the Policy Integration Department is coordinating Office work in this field.