1694a Sustainable development goals and occupational health: an overview

Malte Luebker recalls that employment and labour issues were entirely absent from the initial set of MDGs, and that only in 2005, somewhat hastily, a new target was added to address this oversight. He therefore welcomes that the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development makes ample reference to employment and inequality. Goal 8 is devoted to 'Promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all' and expands on two familiar themes, productivity and employment, while adding labour rights as a new element. The more nuanced treatment of labour arguably presents a notable advance in attaining a wider set of progressive policies concerned with addressing rising inequalities. While the SDGs are strong on some policies that have direct impact on the primary and secondary distribution of incomes, they lack an explicit endorsement of freedom of association and the right to collective bargaining. Hence, they fail to mention the mechanisms that give workers a voice and a meaningful stake in development.

Workers represent half of the world’s population and are the major contributors to socio-economic development. Continued, sustainable socio-economic development is only possible if workers have a decent working environment. The headline for Sustainable Development Goal 8 is to ‘Promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all’, while sub-goal 8.8 is to ‘Protect labour rights and promote safe and secure working environments for all workers’. However, globally millions of working men and women have poor and hazardous working conditions. Despite knowledge about effective interventions to prevent occupational hazards and to protect and promote health at the workplace, large gaps exist between and within countries regarding the health status of workers and their exposure to occupational risks. This chapter will describe present work environment situations in Sub-Saharan Africa through focusing on four important industries: floriculture, construction, mining and textiles. Actions are suggested for improvements while the importance of developing competence and knowledge on occupational health in these Sub-Saharan African countries are underlined. There must be increased awareness of dangerous workplaces as well as efforts to prevent occupational accidents and diseases.

Inclusive growth (IG) aims to create decent work and economic opportunities for all, including marginalized populations, which aligns with the SDG-8 objective of promoting sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth. Many studies measure IG through a single dimension, overlooking its multidimensional economic, social, health, and sustainability aspects. This study contributes by constructing a multidimensional IG index and using the four dimensions and 15 indicators, which cover all the aspects of IG. Moreover, the study investigates the determinants of IG with a particular focus on foreign remittances and institutional quality in Pakistan from 1996 to 2021. The bootstrap auto regressive distributive lag (BARDL), fully modified ordinary least-squares and dynamic ordinary least-squares techniques are employed for estimating the results. The long-run estimates reveal that remittances, institutional quality, trade openness and financial development showed positive effects on IG. While inflation, population growth and unemployment exert a negative impact on IG. Moreover, BARDL short-run estimates reveal that remittances, institutional quality and financial development have a positive effect on IG. In contrast, population growth and trade openness have a negative impact on IG. The policy advice is that the government develop strategies to optimize the inflow of international remittances and enhance the institutional quality to promote the IG in Pakistan.

In 2015, Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) towards 2030 were adopted by the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA). Goal 8 of this agenda addresses the issues of ‘Economic Growth’ and ‘Decent Work’ under the banner of ‘Sustainable Development.’ The goal is aspirational; it aims to uphold sustainable development through “sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all” (UNGA, Transforming our world: The 2030 agenda for sustainable development, 2015, p. 14). This goal is, for the International Labour Organization (ILO), a key to sustainable development as it is a critical driver of multiple other goals in SDGs (ILO, Decent work and the 2030 agenda for sustainable development, 2017).

Previous studies have confirmed the position that higher education is a sine-qua-non for human capital development and economic growth. The 2014 rebasing of Gross Domestic Product made Nigeria the 26 th largest economy in the world and the biggest in Africa. Recently, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) pronounced Nigeria again as having the largest economy in Africa. Yet Africa’s largest economy faces a myriad of challenges, such as high prevalence of poverty, unemployment, underemployment, youth unemployment, huge infrastructure deficits, income and social inequalities. However, the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) has its goal 8 as “promoting sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all” by 2030. Based on this background, this paper proceeds to examine how human development can translate to inclusive economic growth. It focuses mainly on enhancement of human capabilities which is one of the key drivers of inclusive growth. It assesses the status and performance of the indicators of human development in Nigeria and compares the outcomes with that of the emerging and developed nations. Utilizing secondary data and descriptive statistical analytical tools, the paper finds out that the indices of human development and the knowledge economy recorded higher values in the emerging and developed countries than what exists in the developing countries. The paper therefore recommends the urgent need for policy makers to formulate appropriate policy mix that will ensure increase in investment in human capital and all indices of human development and knowledge economy. This is expected to be via improvement in quantity and quality of education in general and higher education in particular for individuals to contribute to and benefit from economic growth. Key Words: Human Development, Human Development Indices, Inclusive Growth and Knowledge Economy Indices.

ABSTRACTThe growing importance of inclusive growth has garnered considerable attention in contemporary times. Its importance is further underscored by Sustainable Development Goal 8, which advocates for inclusive and sustainable economic growth, employment, and decent work for all. Achieving inclusive growth requires several key developments, including high institutional quality and a strong insurance industry. This study contributes to knowledge by examining the direct and interactive effects of insurance and institutional quality on inclusive growth. Using the generalised method of moments based on 30 Sub‐Saharan African countries between 2005 and 2019, the study presents the following findings: (1) insurance, including life and nonlife penetration, positively impacts inclusive growth; (2) institutional quality, including its components presents a positive influence on inclusive growth; (3) Further, the interaction between insurance and institutional quality stimulates inclusive growth. This implies that quality institutions matter in the drive towards developing the insurance market, thereby fostering inclusive growth. Based on these findings, the study suggests that governments harness insurance's potential to promote inclusive growth and alleviate poverty. Further, the study highlights the urgent need for institutional reforms and policies to unlock the full potential of insurance in driving inclusive growth. This calls for efforts to strengthen the business and institutional environment for sustainable development.

SDG 8 calls for promoting ‘sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all’. Even as it highlights the importance of labour rights for all, it also makes visible some significant tensions. We note, for example, that despite many critiques of narrow economic measures of growth, the focus here remains on GDP and per capita growth. This is problematic, we argue, because the GDP productive boundary excludes much of social reproductive work. This puts SDG8 in tension with SDG 5 which calls for the recognition of the value of unpaid care and domestic work. There has been a significant increase in the rate of working women in the formal and informal sector. However, there has not been a subsequent gender shift in the doing of social reproductive work. In this paper we argue SDG 8’s focus on decent work and economic growth is inadequate; that productive employment and decent work for all men and women by 2030 needs to take into account the value and costs of social reproduction. We trace key historical debates on work to argue that both gender and labour rights have to underpin SDG 8 if its promise of inclusive, sustainable and decent work is to be realized.

The study has made an effort to analyze the performance of Bangladesh economy in line with the decent work and inclusive economic growth target of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) for the period of 2015 to 2019 and to identify the challenges of achieving decent work for all by 2030. Bangladesh has ranked 109 th among the 166 countries and moved seven notches up from 116 th of 2019 in the SDGs Index 2020. Analyzing the International Labour Organization (ILO) modeled estimated data on the decent work indicators like labour force participation rate, employment to population ratio, unemployment rate, youth unemployment, informal employment, child labour and employment in agriculture, industry and service sector, the study reveals that the high youth unemployment, informality in the job market, mismatch between demand and supply of skilled labour, less female participation in the labour force, insufficient investment, participation of child and forced labour in hazardous work, etc. are the major hindrance for ensuring decent work for all. Skill development programs, large scale investment, products diversification, good governance, elimination of child and forced labour from hazardous work, etc. may help to create more employment opportunities, decent work environment as well as inclusive and sustainable economic growth in Bangladesh. Keywords: Decent Work, Inclusive Economic Growth, SDGs, Bangladesh. DOI: 10.7176/JESD/11-16-02 Publication date: August 31 st 2020

The purpose of this research is to provide information about circular solutions for decent work economic growth which includes lessons from SDG 8. However, the circular economy is a promising approach to achieving sustainable development, by decoupling ecomonic growth from resource depletion and environmental degradation. The circular economy can support the achievement of multiple SDGs, by promoting sustainable and inclusive economic growth, reducing waste and pollution, and fostering innovation and resilience. The circular economy has the potential to contribute to SDG 8 by creating new job opportunities, promoting skills development and innovation, also it can fostering sustainable and inclusive economic growth. By adopting circular practices, businesses and governments can create new value and reduce their environmental impact, while promoting social and economic development. Highlights: The circular economy offers a promising approach to achieving sustainable development by decoupling economic growth from resource depletion and environmental degradation. Circular practices can contribute to SDG 8 by creating new job opportunities, promoting skills development, and fostering sustainable and inclusive economic growth. By adopting circular solutions, businesses and governments can create new value, reduce environmental impact, and drive social and economic development. Keywords: Circular solutions, Decent work, Economic growth, Sustainable development goals (SDGs), Resource efficiency

The UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) adopted on 25th September, 2015 aimed to end hunger, assure gender equity, and build a life of dignity for all over the world. It gave a clarion call of a new framework of “Transforming Our World: the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development”. The SDGs composed of 17 goals and 169 targets to wipe out poverty, fight inequality and tackle climate change over the next 15 years. The SDGs are indeed visionary in character and an ideal framework in which all nations need to work out its actionable plans. Because of varying inter-country deficit on actionable areas of sovereign nations, SDGs have not gone into country-specific road-map for action. It is for this reason that SDGs did not mention any constraints in its overall approach to realise its visionary goals. However, constraints do exist in achieving SDGs just as it had existed under MDGs. Two of the top most goals under SDGs is to end poverty in all its forms everywhere (Goal 1) and end hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition (Goal 2). SDGs also aim at promoting sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all (Goal 8). An under-populated country can proceed to reach these goals easily; a country having stable population or optimum population can also move in that direction rather comfortably. But for a country, like India, where TFR is less than replacement level, where there is alarming high order density of population and high quotient of BPL population, where there exits shocking levels of unemployment, under-employment and adverse nutritional standard and relatively poor HDI, the quantum jump at on go to a SDGs level destination is rather a very difficult task. The huge size population and its incremental addition is responsible for this sordid state of affairs. It will be a gigantic task to implement the Goal 12 to ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns for a runaway population of more than 1.21 billion population for such over-populated country.

There are 17 goals to achieve sustainable development in Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) adopted by the United Nations. One of SDG that promote inclusive and sustainable economic growth is SDG number 8. Sustainable economic growth seeks to achieve goals that support the process of economic development. Inclusive growth is sought to support the process of economic growth and economic development to prevent future generations from suffering depletion of resources. The effort to achieve inclusive growth in line with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). ASEAN was formed as an integration of any counties as a result of globalization,. The integrated economies of ASEAN countries form economic liberalization, giving rise to economic openness. The manifestation of economic openness is trade openness and financial openness. The panel regression method is used to see the effect of economic openness and macroeconomic variables on economic growth as a proxy for inclusive growth. The results found that inflation and unemployment as macroeconomic variables had a significant negative effect on economic growth. It means to achieve the inclusive growth; the ASEAN countries should keep the inflation stable and low unemployment rate.

SDG 8’s goal is to promote sustained, inclusive, and sustainable economic growth; full and productive employment; and decent work for all. This chapter examines the experiences of East Asian developing countries in achieving rapid and inclusive economic growth by focusing on the role of international tradeand foreign direct investmentnexus created through global value chains (GVCs)by multinational corporations (MNCs). GVCs enabled participating companies and countries to improve productivity, contributing to economic growth. The factors attributable to the participation in GVCs include high competitiveness of local companies and open business environment created by the Asian government. Moreover, construction and maintaining well-functioning soft (e.g., education and legal systems) and hard (e.g., transportation and communication systems) infrastructure by the government and international donors contributed to the creation of business-friendly environment. Faced with growing protectionism and the threats of growing US-China rivalry, infectious diseases, climate change, etc., maintaining an open and transparent rules-based business environment is crucially important to further achieving sustained, inclusive, and sustainable economic growth. In the light of absence of effective global economic order, exemplified by ineffectiveness of the World Trade Organizationin trade liberalization as well as dispute settlement, regional economic frameworks such as the CPTPP and RCEP in the Asia and Pacific region would be proven to be effective to achieve the goal.

Purpose of the study: Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) proposed by the United Nations (UN) in 2015 comprising a universally acceptable worldwide development agenda which each country of the world has to achieve till 2030. The purpose of this study is to examine the socio-economic and political transformational challenges confronted to South Asian Countries (SA) i.e. Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka, in achieving the targets of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Methodology: The study uses different statistics of World Bank, International Monetary Fund (IMF), World Health Organizations (WHO), and Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) to give a comprehensive picture of South Asian economies and the challenges which they are currently facing for achieving the targets of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). In our preliminary analysis, the methodology highlighted the issues of South Asian Countries such as poverty (SDG 1), healthy lives and well-being (SDG 3), inclusive and equitable quality education (SDG 4), sustained, inclusive, and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all (SDG 8)". Principal Findings: The statistics presented regarding South Asian economies exhibit a dismal picture. At present, the attainment of these stipulated goals seems impossible and remains elusive if some serious measures have not been taken. The role of DCs and the world community as a whole is significant in this regard. To save the planet from extreme poverty, hunger, malnutrition, equitable access to modern technology, improved education and health for all human beings, the developed countries should give at least one percent of their GNP in the form of development assistance to poor countries. The study suggests that good governance that could undertake and implement structural reforms is necessary to deal with the challenges confronting to South Asian countries in achieving the targets of these stipulated goals. More importantly, the Developed Countries (DCs) started to implement their strategies to view SDGs' targets. Now it is a dire need that DCs should assist the Under Developed Countries (UDCs) and help them from their experience in identifying the transformational challenges which they possibly have to face in achieving SDGs' targets. Otherwise, it looks impossible for the UDCs to come up with these targets till 2030. Applications of this study: The study highlighted some key challenges that South Asian countries face to achieve the targets of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The study outcomes can prove very much helpful for South Asian countries for achieving these targets and devising thriving economic policies generous to attaining their targets till 2030. Novelty/Originality of this study: This study gives a brief picture of the current position of the South Asian countries where they stand regard to Sustainable Development Goals' targets. Moreover, the results and policy recommendations presented at the end of the study provides help to deal with the challenges that are big hindrances in achieving the targets of these SDGs.

The aim of this paper is to study the Romanian rural employment and its perspective to achieve the decent work goals. The United Nation’s 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development aims to ‘promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all’ (Goal 8 of 17, 2015). The decent work is a desideratum that reflects on the wellbeing of the population. The ILO’s Rural Employment and Decent Work Programme aims at minimizing rural decent work deficits that include higher rates of un- and under-employment (especially among youth and women); an alarming prevalence of child labour; a higher incidence of precarious work as wage work is mostly seasonal or casual; widespread informal activities; limited social protection; exposure to adverse working conditions due to poor labour standards coverage and monitoring; and little or no unionization or social dialogue

This paper explores the challenges and opportunities associated with promoting decent work in Uzbekistan's logistics sector, aligning with Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 8, which aims to promote sustained, inclusive, and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment, and decent work for all. It examines the current state of the logistics labor market, highlighting issues such as working conditions, wages, and gender inequality. The paper also discusses strategies to improve labor standards, enhance worker rights, and foster a more inclusive workforce in the logistics sector. By implementing these strategies, Uzbekistan can ensure that the logistics sector contributes positively to economic growth and social well-being.