Decent Work and its Implications for Careers

Abstract

The principle of decent work was first espoused in the 1948 Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Since 1999 the International Labour Organisation has operated according to a Decent Work Agenda and in recent times the movement towards the provision of decent work as a means of improving the quality of life has gathered momentum. Decent work is relevant to career development worldwide and embodies: a reasonable income; equal opportunities; safe working conditions; trade union representation; and a social safety net. Evidence is provided that decent work is not necessarily a feature of employment or career development across various countries. In a time of workplace fragmentation there are pay differentials in favour of workers under collective bargaining; working hours are longer than stipulated; overtime is not compensated; or there is work-related physical and mental stress. This paper explores the concept of decent work and its implications for career development.