What is decent work?

The concept of decent work is promoted by the International Labour Organisation (ILO) and is recognised as an important component of sustainable development. According to the ILO, decent work means equal opportunities for all to have a productive, fairly paid job, carried out in conditions of freedom, equity, security and human dignity. At the international level, decent work is enshrined in several key documents, including the ILO Declaration on Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work (1998) and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, where it appears as Goal 8 - "Decent work and growth". The European Union has transposed this commitment into the European Pillar of Social Rights, and through directives such as the Pay Transparency Directive or the Work-Life Balance Directive, it is reinforcing social standards among Member States. The Corporate Sustainability Reporting Regulation (CSRD) also requires companies to assess and report on their impact on human rights, including decent working conditions.

Why is decent work important?

In practice, investing in decent work yields real benefits. Companies that cultivate a safe, fair and motivating environment get more engaged, loyal and, naturally, more productive employees. On the other hand, in the eyes of investors and consumers, how a company treats its employees becomes a key indicator of trust and sustainable performance. Decent work, in this sense, is a social issue, and a business strategy.

This link between performance and accountability is also visible in global sustainability rating systems. For example, EcoVadis, one of the most influential international corporate sustainability rating platforms, gives a significant weighting to decent labour and human rights criteria in its scores. Thousands of companies are assessed annually on their safety, fairness and inclusion policies, as well as on concrete evidence of the implementation of these policies in their operations and supply chain. For many global business players, performance in EcoVadis has become a benchmark.

Examples of good practice

BESIX, the Belgian construction group. was mentioned by the ILO as an example of good practice in respecting migrant workers' rights, recognising its commitment to ILO standards. The company has signed an International Framework Agreement with the Building and Wood Workers' International, consistently implementing social protection, decent housing conditions and IT training for its employees. ILO officials and Amnesty International representatives have praised it as a role model.Patagonia The US outdoor equipment company is recognised for its commitment to workers' rights in its supply chain.

As part of the campaign "Safe and healthy work in the digital age" (2023-2025), EU-OSHA has named the winners of the Healthy Workplaces Good Practice Awards for companies that have integrated digital technologies or organisational processes designed to reduce risks and increase equality, safety and employee engagement. These include Eni Cyprus Ltd, which has developed a mobile app to monitor safety in the oil and gas sectors. This recognises the initiative's commitment to respecting workers' rights and improving working conditions.