Decent working conditions, safe work and work-life balance: an integrated approach towards social and economic sustainab

1. Decent working conditions, safe work and work-life balance: an integrated approach towards social and economic sustainability “Implementing OSH globally” International ILO Conference, Duesseldorf/Germany, 3-6 November 2009 Petra Ulshoefer, ILO-EUROPE

2. The global crisis: threats andopportunities • The challenge now is to accelerate recovery, but with a longer-term perspective of sustainable economic, social and environment-friendly development (ILO Global Jobs Pact) • Action must be guided by the ILO’s Decent Work agenda and the commitments made by the ILO and its constituents in the 2008 Declaration on Social Justice for a Fair Globalization

3. .. the global crisis… Threats • High unemployment rates, jobs and income losses • High levels of insecurity for workers and enterprises • Risk of deterioration of working conditions including safety and health

4. ..the global crisis.. Opportunities • Debate on societal values and what really matters • Chance of re-considering and re-shaping our growth model, with a view to a fairer globalization, that includes: • Better distribution of work among society • Reducing income inequalities • Revalorization of unpaid/voluntary/care work

5. New debate on Quality of Working Life • Wages, working time and health and safety are key and interlinked dimensions of job quality • Reconciliation of paid work with family life and care responsibilities are now recognized as essential for the quality of working life • Employment, income and job security are fundamental for the actual and perceived well-being of people

6. Those who have well-paid and relatively secured jobs but suffer from overwork and burn-out syndroms Those who don’t have work or are under constant threat of losing it, and juggle to keep a minimum living standard The world of work is divided:

7. In the context of globalization, the quality of working life has been affected by: • Changes in the composition of the workforce (women, older workers, migrants) • Changes in working time and work organisation • Use of IT including internet • Increasing flexibilization of employment and higher incidence of non-standard forms • Increase in income inequality and wage disparities

8. .. this has led to: • New and emerging risks including work intensification and stress • New requirements on workers to be more flexible and mobile • Stronger competition amongst enterprises • Challenges for labour market institutions such as labour inspection and OSH services to adapt to these changes

9. European citizens’ opinions on quality of working life Recent ILO publications, opinion polls (EU-OSHA) and surveys (EUROFOUND) in Europe come to similar conclusions: • Most people report health and family life as key elements contributing to a good quality of life • As well-being strongly depends on income, the quality of work has an impact on the quality of life • Job security and salary levels are more important than safe and healthy working conditions • There is a desire for work to encompass less space in their lives and devote more time to the family

10. There are notable differences across Europe • People in the Nordic countries are more satisfied about their work and life situations • Many citizens in the new EU member States are disappointed about the results of accession (lower wages, higher risks of job loss, lack of confidence in national policies and institutions for assistance)

11. Policyrecommendations Recent debate on how best to measure and monitor the quality of work (European Employment Strategy indicators; Stiglitz-Commission report; ILO’s Measuring Decent Work indicators) come to two main conclusions: • It is not sufficient to consider socio- economic variables only, but also the perceptions of people as an indicator for societal well-being in the context of sustainability

12. .. policy recommendations.. • Quality of work and life is a multi-dimensional concept and can best be subsumed in the ILO’s concept of Decent Work: • Access to rights at work • Employment and income • Social protection • Voice and representation of interests through social dialogue

13. To improve working conditions and the quality of working life .. • People’s needs and perceptions have to be taken seriously • Economic policies should take into account employment growth and social protection • Labour market institutions have to be strengthened and adapted to changes

14. .. more policy recommendations.. • Gender inequalities have to be addressed more systematically (de-segregated data and analysis; family-friendly work places; part-time work for women and men) • Social dialogue and collective bargaining can have positive impacts on working conditions and the quality of working life (wage policies; working time arrangements; firm based OSH committees)

15. Decent working conditions, safe work and work-life balance: an integrated approach towards social and economic sustainability Implementing OSH globally International ILO Conference, Duesseldorf, 3-6 November 2009 Petra Ulshoefer, ILO-EUROPE