Download Decent Work for All ASIAN DECENT WORK DECADE

Poverty Reduction (MDG1):
Why Decent Work is Important
UN MDG Workshop: The Final Push – Media’s Role
28 May 2012
Phu Huynh
Labour Economist
ILO Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific
Decent Work for All
ASIAN DECENT WORK DECADE 2006-2015
Despite remarkable progress, workers still
earning too little to escape poverty…
% of workers living in poor households
70
Note: MDG Target 1B indicator.
US$1.25 per day poverty line.
65
1991
2010
Source: ILO, Key Indicators of the
Labour Market (KILM), 7th edition.
60
52
51
50
40
39
37
30
20
15
11
8
10
0
South Asia
SE Asia and Pacific
East Asia
World
…around 326 million workers in Asia live on less than US$1.25 per day
Poor job quality remains pervasive…
Own-account and contributing family workers as % of total employment
100
Note: MDG Target 1B indicator.
1991
82
80
2010
78
68
62
Source: ILO, Key Indicators of the
Labour Market (KILM), 7th edition.
66
60
50
54
50
40
20
12
10
0
South Asia
South-East Asia
and Pacific
East Asia
World
Developed
Economies and
EU
…1.1 billion, or 3 in 5, are own-account or contributing family workers –
with low pay and limited protection
Productivity is rising but remains low…
Labour productivity (GDP per person employed)
80,000
1991
Note: MDG Target 1B indicator.
Labour productivity measured in
constant 2005 international $.
2010
Source: ILO, Key Indicators of the
Labour Market (KILM), 7th edition.
60,000
40,000
20,000
0
South Asia
South-East
Asia and
Pacific
East Asia
World
Developed
Economies and
EU
…and can address poverty by raising wages/earnings, improving
working conditions
What needs to be done
Three principles:
1. Job quality is key to reduce poverty, develop middle class,
boost domestic markets
2. Strong institutions are vital for addressing inequalities
3. Social protection is an investment in society (not a cost)
Three areas for action:
1. Reduce vulnerabilities and disparities
2. Navigate crises and volatility
3. Ensure fair wages/incomes, distribution
ASIAN DECENT WORK DECADE 2006-2015
Decent Work for All
Thank you
Phu Huynh
Labour Economist
ILO Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific
[email protected]
For more information
www.ilo.org/asia