ILO harps on decent jobs

The International Labour Organisation (ILO) has urged government and other employers of labour across the world to strive to provide not just jobs but decent jobs in order to place human society on the path of progress. Damian Grimshaw, the International Labour Organisation (ILO) Director of Research made this call in a report. He noted […]

The International Labour Organisation (ILO) has urged government and other employers of labour across the world to strive to provide not just jobs but decent jobs in order to place human society on the path of progress.

Damian Grimshaw, the International Labour Organisation (ILO) Director of Research made this call in a report.

He noted that over 700 million people are living in extreme or moderate poverty despite having employment, attributing it to high level of poor working conditions millions of workers across the world faced.

According to Grimshaw, a report of the International Labour Organization’s World Employment and Social Outlook (WESO): Trends 2019 report, stated that despite the minimal 4.5 per cent of the working age population are unemployed in Africa while 60 per cent are employed, the number of people living under poverty line in the continent is enormous.

“Poor quality employment is the main issue for global labour markets, with millions of people forced to accept inadequate working conditions, especially in Africa.

“WESO: Trend 2019 shows that a majority of the 3.3 billion people employed globally in 2018 had inadequate economic security, material well-being and equality of opportunity.

“Progress in reducing unemployment globally is not being matched by improvements in the quality of work,” ILO said, quoting WESO Trends 2019 report.

Following this new revelation, ILO decried the persistent number of major deficits in decent work, and warned that, “with the current rate of progress attaining the goal of decent work for all, as set out in the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 8, seems unrealistic for many countries.”

Commenting on the alarming declining rate of decent jobs, Deborah Greenfield, ILO Deputy Director-General for Policy Issue said,  “SDG 8 is not just about full employment but the quality of that employment. Equality and decent work are two of the pillars underpinning sustainable development.

Grimshaw said, “Being in employment does not always guarantee a decent living. For instance, a full 700 million people are living in extreme or moderate poverty despite having employment.”

Among the issues highlighted is the lack of progress in closing the gender gap in labour force participation.

The ILO also said, “Only 48 per cent of women are in the labour force, compared to 75 per cent of men. Women also make up far more of the potential, underutilized, labour force. Another issue is the persistence of informal employment, with a staggering 2 billion workers – 61 per cent of the world’s workforce – categorized as such. Also of concern is that more than one in five young people (under 25) are not in employment, education or training, compromising their future employment prospects,” the report stated.