When embarking on the Stepping Up the Implementation of the Decent Work Agenda project funded by the Norwegian Funds, we wondered what decent work actually is, what it means and whether it has anything to do with human rights.

According to the International Labour Organisation's definition, decent work can be defined as work that provides: a decent income, a secure workplace, good prospects for personal development and social integration; freedom to speak out about problems in the workplace, to organise and participate in decisions affecting workers' lives; equal opportunities and treatment for all women and men.

"Decent work" and human rights are closely related concepts, with "decent work" being central to the broader human rights framework. "Decent work" is a concept promoted by the International Labour Organisation (ILO) and refers to employment characterised by respect for human rights, decent working conditions and opportunities for personal development and social integration. Here is how "decent work" and human rights are linked:

1. Right to work: The right to work is a fundamental human right, and decent work is the embodiment of this right. It provides individuals with access to employment opportunities, free from discrimination and with a guarantee of decent working conditions.
2. Freedom from discrimination: Decent work includes the absence of discrimination in the workplace on the basis of factors such as gender, age, ethnicity, sexual orientation and others. This is in line with the human rights principles of equality and non-discrimination.
3. Right to just and favourable working conditions: Decent work promotes decent wages, safe and healthy working conditions, reasonable working hours and social protection, all of which are elements of the human right to just and favourable working conditions.
4. Freedom of association: The right to form, join and bargain collectively is a human right. Decent Work supports this right by allowing workers to belong to trade unions and to have a say on working conditions.
5. Right to education and training: Decent work is linked to the right to education and training as it provides opportunities for personal and professional development. Access to education and training is a human right, and decent work facilitates this access.
6. Prohibition of all forms of forced and compulsory labour and prohibition of child labour: Generous Labour opposes all forms of forced and child labour. These issues are a violation of human rights and Decent Work aims to eliminate them from the workplace.
7. Right to a standard of living adequate for health and well-being: Decent work ensures that workers are paid sufficient wages to meet their basic needs and those of their families, which is consistent with the human right to a standard of living adequate for health and well-being.
8. Right to participate in cultural, social and economic life: Human rights include the right to participate in cultural, social and economic life. Decent work plays a role in enabling individuals to engage in these aspects of life by providing stable employment and income.
9. Right to privacy and dignity: Decent work respects the dignity and privacy of workers and complies with human rights principles of privacy and personal dignity.
10. Right to economic and social development: Human rights include the right to economic and social development. Decent work contributes to the economic and social development of individuals by providing opportunities for meaningful and sustainable employment.

In conclusion, decent work and human rights are closely linked, and decent work serves the practical implementation of many fundamental human rights. Promoting decent work is essential to creating a just and respectful work environment that is consistent with the broader human rights framework around the world.

Supported by Norway through the Norway Grants 2014-2021, in the frame of the Programme “Social Dialogue – Decent Work”/Realizowane ze wsparciem Norwegii poprzez Fundusze Norweskie 2014-2021, w ramach program “Dialog Społeczny – Godna Praca”