Some common myths

1. Any job is better than no job.
In fact, the goal is not merely the creation of jobs, but the creation of jobs of acceptable quality. All parts of the world now have a concept of decent work, but to workers the quality of a job has several meanings. It can relate to wages, to rights, to different forms of work and different conditions of work, as well as feelings of value and satisfaction. It is essential to work out policies that can create jobs where workers’ rights are respected and so they can get the wages, conditions, social protection and satisfaction they want.

The need of the world of work today is to create social and economic systems that ensure basic security, proper remuneration and employment while remaining capable of adapting to rapidly changing circumstances at the labour market. A job that endangers your health or leaves you incapable of providing for your family is not a decent job.

2. Standards and fundamental principles and rights at work are burdensome in moving forward with globalisation.
Not true! We live in a highly competitive global market where workers face constant pressure to meet targets, deadlines and quotas. Globalisation, along with its many advantages, has also brought increased insecurity, uncertainty, outsourcing of jobs and the possibility of working across borders under different laws in each environment.

To ensure that workers are protected and treated fairly, we need recognition and an effective implementation of international labour standards on freedom of association, equality, and forced and child labour. They are shared commitments that can fight uncertainty, prevent competitive social dumping and ensure equal treatment, responsibility and respect while providing a global reference point for labour laws. Workers’ rights must become a guidance point for global industry and good governance.

3. Decent work already exists in all industrialised countries.
Not necessarily and yet, in many industrialised countries, the decent work agenda is considered obsolete. However, there are still massive social gaps within countries, there are still challenges in overcoming discrimination against women and migrant workers, there are still attacks on trade union rights in many countries, and there are still sectors and countries where social dialogue between workers and employers is non-existent.

More and better jobs in the industrialised countries are needed and part of decent work is also to ensure training, skills-upgrading, social progress and basic security and rights for all workers as part of the social dimension of globalisation.

4. The decent work agenda is not relevant in developing countries because of the large informal economy
False! Half of Africa’s population lives in extreme poverty on as little as US$1 a day and the African labour markets are characterised by a large urban informal economy and a massive rural-based labour force. Most of these 300 million people are not able to provide for themselves and their families despite having an occupation.

The challenges of creating a decent livelihood are perhaps even greater in developing countries and some barriers stem from international relations, others from problems inside their countries. The promotion of decent work for all in developing countries will create new sustainable opportunities for women and men to work productively, to receive a regular income with their rights protected and in the end to help win the fight against poverty. Decent work in all of its forms can help develop a more socially inclusive and economically dynamic development model.

5. The labour market of our globalised economy is not compatible with decent work. In reality, we need to give a human face to the globalised economy. Increased competition, accelerating economic and social changes and improvement of productivity in a market-driven economy does not automatically lead to social inclusion, nor create a route to a sustainable environment.

The social consequences of globalisation can be adverse if workers do not fight to obtain and promote equal opportunities for women and men within the ILO Decent Work Agenda: the promotion of rights at work; employment; social protection; and social dialogue. Sustainable development and decent work for all must become an integral part of globalisation to create an effective “level playing field” in employment, equity and human dignity.