UNEVOC Connect

The International Labour Organization (ILO) defines decent work as “productive work for women and men in conditions of freedom, equity, security and human dignity”.

In general, work is considered as decent when:

• it pays a fair income
• it guarantees a secure form of employment and safe working conditions
• it ensures equal opportunities and treatment for all
• it includes social protection for the workers and their families
• it offers prospects for personal development and encourages social integration
• workers are free to express their concerns and to organise

Decent work sums up the aspirations of people in their working lives. It involves opportunities for work that is productive and delivers a fair income, security in the workplace and social protection for families, better prospects for personal development and social integration, freedom for people to express their concerns, organize and participate in the decisions that affect their lives and equality of opportunity and treatment for all women and men.