Right to Decent Work
Right to Decent Work
As the drafters of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) set about their task in 1947 led by the visionary Eleanor Roosevelt, they drew upon a host of sources - from philosophers to revolutionaries to religious leaders and from every part of the world. They also drew upon a document that had already been in existence for almost thirty years – the Constitution of the International Labor Organization (ILO) adopted as part of the 1919 Treaty of Versailles which ended World War I. The ILO was born out of the great labor struggles of the late nineteenth century, and based upon the belief that for true progress to occur, societies must build consensus among workers, employers and their political leaders.
That conviction can be seen in the UDHR’s affirmation that “everyone has the right to work, to free choice of employment, to just and favorable conditions of work and to protection against unemployment…everyone has the right to equal pay for equal work… the right to just and favorable remuneration ensuring for himself and his family an existence worthy of human dignity… and the right to form and join trade unions for the protection of his interests.”
The contemporary call for “Decent Work” is shorthand for these standards to be respected for women and men across the world.
Read more about the Right to Decent Work
Every person can make a difference
Realizing Rights: The Ethical Globalization Intitiative
Among those standing up for the right to Decent Work is Realizing Rights: The Ethical Globalization Initiative. Founded in 2002 by Mary Robinson, Realizing Rights works to put human rights standards at the heart of global governance and policy-making and to ensure that the needs of the poorest and most vulnerable are addressed on the global stage.
Focusing on the right to Decent Work is particularly important as we mark the 60th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Tragically, decent work opportunities are often overlooked in national development policies and are still a distant dream for many in rich and poor countries alike.
In September 2008, Realizing Rights is joining with The Every Human Has Rights Campaign, the ILO, the Government of Liberia, the Government of Norway, and many others to demonstrate how greater attention to the decent work agenda can contribute to achieving dignity and rights for all. Three events are planned...(read more)
Learn More About our Right to Decent Work
- 'Decent Work: A Better World Starts Here' A film by the ILO, available in multiple languages online.
Living the principles of the Universal Declaration
Here are a few profiles of people who uphold the principles of the Universal Declaration through their work on the right to health. If you have a story about the right to decent work from your community, please share it with us here.
