- Published by
- ILO Lab
This brief by the ILO LAB identifies decent work deficits, explains how to put a market systems approach into practice, and provides examples of successful projects.
The ILO defines decent work as " the aspiration that all women and men are able to work in conditions of freedom, equality, security and human dignity."
A third of the global labour force are not earning enough to lift themselves and their families above the poverty line.
The underlying reasons for indecent work emerge out of:
- the complex interplay of enterprise practices
- market demand
- business to business relationships
- social norms and existing rules
Indecent work cannot be solved by training or new government regulation alone.
A market system is made up of the many ‘supporting functions’ and ‘rules’ shaping how well a market works for poor women and men.
A market systems approach, in turn, seeks to identify, address and remove system-level constraints inhibiting the growth of more inclusive markets.