Decent Work and Economic Growth – Deliberation on SDG8 Decent Work and Economic Growth – Deliberation on SDG8

The vision statement of SDG 8 is to

“Foster sustained, inclusive and Sustainable Economic Growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all.”

SDG 8 is defined by 12 Targets and 17 Indicators. Fourteen indicators are to be achieved by 2030, One by the year 2025, Two of the indicators are to be achieved by the year 2020.

Economic conditions of half the population of the world are a matter of concern for one and all. SDG 8 aims to ensure that every nation is able to provide a respectable living standard to its citizens irrespective of caste, color and creed. A secure job to an individual is no guarantee to Good Health, Good Food and Good Education to all in the family.

We need to put our heads together, to solve this problem of social and economic inequality.

In this context we need to focus on Target 8.3 of SDG 8, which states that “Promote development-oriented policies that support productive activities, decent job creation, entrepreneurship, creativity and innovation, and encourage the formalization and growth of micro, small and medium-sized enterprises, including through access to financial services”.

In the present times we are seeing much slower economic growth, inequalities in society have widened, job opportunities are few and unskilled labor force is in plenty. Talking about Migrant laborer who are casual and unskilled workers, who move from villages to cities, from one country to the other, offering temporary services usually seasonal have suffered the most, when it comes to economic stability and growth. COVID_19 has hit them hard in all parts of the world. They were left with no food and money due to the lockdown. “25 million people might become unemployed worldwide due to the impact of COVID-19, ranging between 5.3 million job losses on a ‘low scenario’ and 24.7 million on a ‘high scenario” (ILO, 2020). The sad reality! The solution is Target 8.8 of SDG 8. We need to Protect Labour Rights. We need to focus on, and Promote Safe Working Environments for all.
All SDGs are interlinked. We would be successful in achieving SDG8 “Decent Work and Economic Growth” if the citizens of the country are educated (SDG4 Quality Education), no gender pay disparity for equal work is observed (SDG5 Gender Equality), industry and innovation (SDG 9 Industry Innovation and Infrastructure) are the nation’s priority and responsible consumption and production (SDG 12 Sustainable Consumption and Production) is practiced.

So, let’s Rise Up and work for UNO Sustainable Development Goals…
Let’s create a Just culture of Decent Work and Economic Growth for all!

Ms. Paramjeet Kaur Dhillon
Principal
Kamla Nehru Public School,Phagwara
Punjab, India