In its resolution on the global development framework after 2015, the European parliament reaffirmed human dignity as central to sustainable development. A broad political consensus was reached on the notion that the new framework currently being negotiated at the United Nations must be people-centred and rights based.
People behind the numbers are what matters and economic indicators alone cannot be the sole measurement of development, which was one of the largest drawbacks of the millennium development goals. Therefore, it was necessary to introduce indicators related to levels of human rights protection, including labour rights and levels of social protection, within the new set of sustainable development goals (SDGs).
"People behind the numbers are what matters and economic indicators alone cannot be the sole measurement of development"
Development and growth cannot be measured by economic parameters alone, nor merely by the quantity of new jobs created, but must take into account their quality. It goes without saying that it is necessary to create more jobs in the EU and worldwide, especially for young people. As well as promoting employment policies, it is also crucial to restore the dignity of labour and ensure proper working conditions.
People cannot be viewed simply as a 'workforce' and as a depersonalised element of the economic system. Work should be directly tied to the promotion and protection of the dignity of the human person. As Pope Saint John Paul II stated in Laborem Exercens: "work is one of the characteristics that distinguishes man from the rest of the creatures, whose activity for sustaining their lives cannot be called work […] thus work bears a particular mark on humanity."
Similarly, the UN open working group (OWG) proposed a working document, as a basis for negotiations on the post-2015 agenda, which included as its eight SDG's - "promoting sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all". The proposed goal contains targets and indicators on the number of new jobs created, but also on their type, as well as working conditions, respect of labour rights, the elimination of child labour, and state policies aimed at creating a business friendly environment.
Although SDG eight on decent work is important, it will hardly have an impact if it is not accompanied by one of the most innovative goals proposed by the UN OWG, namely the SDG on justice and building effective and inclusive institutions.
An independent judicial system, equal access to justice and basic public services for all citizens, the rule of law, good governance and the fight against corruption are crucial for the protection of human rights, including labour rights.
Effective and inclusive political and economic institutions are the key to sustainable development, which obviously includes the implementation of the decent work agenda.
In this sense, the EU needs to show leadership in promoting such a paradigm shift in development cooperation at the current intergovernmental negotiations on the new global development framework.
At the end of the process, EU leaders will meet their global counterparts in September at the UN summit which will set the new development goals for the next fifteen years. By promoting innovative goals, like the SDGs on decent work and inclusive institutions, EU leaders will make a significant contribution to the global affirmation of the values envisaged by the EU's founding fathers, positioning the dignity of the human person at the centre of all our endeavours.
This article is based on extracts from remarks by Davor Ivo Stier at a European parliament roundtable on 'decent work' with Patrizia Toia MEP, in cooperation with the commission of the bishops' conferences of the European community.