Decent Work for All: A Holistic Human Rights Approach

Abstract:     
The worldwide dominance of neo-liberal policy over the past three decades has increased economic inequality and insecurity and adversely affected the ability of people everywhere to find decent work. This neo-liberal period has coincided - not coincidently - with the emergence of economic and social rights - including the right to decent work - back into the mainstream human rights agenda. In this context, this article explores the potential of taking a holistic human rights approach to achieving decent work through four strategies: (1) defining decent work holistically, (2) recognizing the interdependence of rights and of people, (3) using human rights tools and methods, such as human rights impact assessment, and (4) building coalitions by linking the right to decent work to other human rights. This approach moves beyond the ILO Decent Work Agenda by reframing decent work in terms of legal obligations under international and domestic human rights law.

Number of Pages in PDF File: 43

Keywords: Decent Work, Poverty, Social Justice, Work Rights, Human Rights

Accepted Paper Series