ATGWU

WORLD DAY FOR DECENT WORK

ATGWU CIRCULAR TO EMPLOYERS AND MEMBERS TO MARK THE WORLD DAY FOR DECENT WORK – 7^THOCTOBER 2008

What is Decent Work?

Decent work has been defined by the ILO, and endorsed by the international community, as being productive work for women and men in conditions of freedom, equity, security and human dignity.

• Decent work involves opportunities for work that:
• Is productive and delivers a fair income;
• Provides security in the workplace and social protection for workers and their families;
• Offers better prospects for personal development and encourages social integration;
• Gives people the freedom to express their concerns, to organize and to participate in decisions that affect their lives; and
• Guarantees equal opportunities and equal treatment for all.

 Why is Decent Work important?

Every person on earth should be able to have a job that enables them to live a good life in which their basic needs are met. Employment is a crucial factor for achieving this.

It is often argued that some employers cannot afford to offer fair wages and better conditions of employment. However, it holds true that the short-term costs of providing Decent Work are quickly outstripped by the long-term benefits gained from providing Decent Work.

Decent Work is the best way to fight global poverty, as to most people around the world, lack of Decent Work means poverty.

What We Can Do

It is our collective responsibility to ensure Decent Work by waging war on indecent work through:

¨     Working more on creation of jobs for everybody; not just any jobs as such, but decent jobs;

¨     Accepting and ensuring workers’ rights to organising, recognition and collective bargaining;

¨     Guarding against discrimination, forced labour and child labour; and

¨     Ensuring a healthy and safe working environment for all workers

 GET INVOLVED, PROMOTE DECENT WORK TODAY