Decent Work led Economic Development Process

What is Decent Work?

Decent Work Work that is productive, gives fair income, security in the workplace & social protection for the family, equal opportunities & treatment, better prospects for - personal devt & social integration, freedom to organize & participate in decision making ----------------------------- concept of decent work encompasses both individual and collective dimensions (C87 & 98)

Decent Work: nationally defined goal thru tripartite dialogue, based on national context & needs No Ceiling, Perpetual progress Relative & multiple paths A universal social floor All who work have basic rights at work: freedom from oppression and discrimination, freedom of association, the right of children to learn and develop rather than work, freedom of choice in work But it is relative Everybody, everywhere, has a sense of what decent work means in terms of their own lives, and in relation to their own society. The full realisation of universally accepted principles requires time and will very much depend upon national conditions and policies.   There is no ceiling The realisation of decent work is in perpetual movement,. The threshold of what is sees as “decent” advances with economic and social progress, and reflects the priorities which each society sets. Social Floor basic rights at work 4

Decent Work to be achieved thru actions on 4 pillars productive employment & sustainable enterprises social protection/ social security for all Standards & basic rights at work Promotion of Social dialogue, Including Collective bargaining [+ Gender Mainstreaming]

Pre-conditions for Decent Work: Fundamental Rights at Work - principle: All those who work, have rights at work! Freedom of association & recognition of the right to collective bargaining No forced/compulsory labour No child labour Elimination of discrimination in employment and occupation …. a global social floor 6

Core Labour Standards 7

If work is to be decent, it must be safe! Every year around 337 million people are victims of work accidents – about 1.1 m people die in Asia because of occupational injuries or work-related diseases The poorest, least protected, least informed and least trained are the most affected - adverse impact on human lives, healthcare costs & on economy Improving safety & health at work & social protection for workers is a key element in realizing the goals of the Asian Decent Work Decade

Decent work: mainstreaming gender A gender perspective is a matter of human right - helps to Analyse economic and social roles Identify forces leading to inequality Address “de-jure” and “de-facto” discrimination Promotes efficiency & inclusive policies So, what are the main DW concerns for women? Your strategies for Decent Work for Women?

What is the current situation in Asian countries? Employment? Wages and collective bargaining? Social Protection? Labour standards & workers rights? Migrant workers? Women workers work & lives?

Trade Union Concerns Where are the jobs? Not only unemployment but also underemployment 60% of the A-P workers (1.1 billion), are in vulnerable employment; {South Asia: 77%, South-East Asia: 62% and East Asia:51%}. in terms of gender: 63% of women & 58% of men are in vulnerable employment. For every unemployed adult, there are about 3-5 unemployed youth; Unionization rates: 3% - 19%; & declining Access to safe drinking water? Housing? Sanitation? Health care? What else?

Global Economic Crisis: at least one lesson for Asia Over dependence on exports & western markets Almost 60% of final demand for Asian goods comes from developed countries. Exports account for about 47% of developing Asia’s output - In Indonesia, Korea, Taiwan and Thailand exports contributed over 60% to growth (Source: http://www.southcentre.org ) For economic & social stability at home - Asian countries also need development & expansion of domestic markets – this implies Decent Work & respect for fundamental labour standards.

Why Labour Standards? Are labour standards only a question of ‘rights’ of workers? Voice, representation & participation What role do FoA, Collective Bargaining, Social Security & safe & healthy working conditions play in economic development?

Acceptance of Decent Work as a goal implies changing approach and policies towards labour, employment & economic growth. In Asian context, what changes are needed in development policies for promoting decent work?

Limitations of Export led model Export led model requires becoming internationally competitive by keeping wages low, suppressing domestic consumption and keeping exchange rate of the currency low (weakening of domestic currency) – with this model, employment does not increase much since domestic demand and domestic market remain limited. Gains from growth are invested abroad (often). Moreover, if all countries are becoming export oriented, competition increases, prices keep falling and gains start declining.

Wages & labour standards led model Requires wages to grow along with labour productivity – increases domestic demand and domestic market When wage employment increases, the self-employed also enjoy an increase in demand for their products. Same effect on the economy if labour standards are ensured - since standards enable sharing in gains of growth & spread of purchasing powers. Requires respect for collective bargaining and effective minimum wage increases

Productivity What is it? Difference between productivity & work intensity Productivity increases – enabling condition for employment growth – employment growth occurs not in countries/industries/ activities where wages are falling but in those where productivity is rising faster than wages What is essential is - sharing of gains from productivity – for which FoA & Right to CB and pro-active minimum wage policy essential

Negotiating for Change at National level … Ensure Right to Organize & Right to Collective Bargaining! Set nationwide floor labour standards –that apply to all workers & employers (de-link labour standards from permanency of employment); Roof to be attained thru Collective Bargaining – the right to which should be ensured. What should be these minimum standards?

Precarious employment Union Actions for whom? Informal employment/underemployment Precarious employment Standard Employment TU members

KNOWLEDGE DEVELOPMENT « THERE IS NO ADVOCACY WITHOUT EVIDENCE » FROM KNOWLEDGE DEVELOPMENT TO ADVOCACY… NEED TO INCREASE THE ACTIVE SUPPORT OF POLICY MAKERS UNDER THE NATIONAL SOLIDARITY PRINCIPLE ADVOCACY ENHANCE THE TECHNICAL CAPACITIES OF THE UNIONS & OTHER ACTORS INVOLVED IN THE MANAGEMENT OF SOCIAL & ECONOMIC POLICIES CAPACITY BUILDING NEED TO DEVELOP STRONGER EVIDENCE ON WHAT WORKS/ BEST PRACTICES AT THE GRASSROOTS LEVEL… KNOWLEDGE DEVELOPMENT

Union Actions for Decent Work International Workers Memorial Day (28 April each year) Remember the Dead, Fight for the Living --------------------------------- World Day for Decent Work ( 7 Oct each year) - what can your union do?

To Make D.W. a Reality in Asia-Pacific Growth first? And decent work later? What should be the main priorities of trade unions? List them. What capacities do unions need to meet the challenges posed by the changing world of work and promote Decent Work?

Four Pillars of DW Fundamental rights at work and international labour standards 1 Better opportunities for women & men to secure decent employment & income 2 Social protection for all (social securities, OSH/E, HIV/AIDS) 3 Strengthening social dialogue (national, regional and local levels) 4