Examining the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goal 8: Providing Fair Employment and Growing Businesses on a Global Scale
In the ongoing series #WorldofWorkforSDGs, we explore the connection between the labor market and the Sustainable Development Agenda. The primary focus is on Sustainable Development Goal 8 (SDG 8), which aims to promote sustained, inclusive, and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment, and decent work for all.
SDG 8 intersects with the labor market in various ways. One key area is improving labor market conditions. This involves enhancing employment-to-population ratios, labor force participation, and reducing labor market inequalities. Migrants, for instance, play a significant role in sustaining the working-age population and filling labor shortages, particularly in sectors like long-term care, aligning with SDG 8's aim to promote productive employment and decent work for all.
Another crucial touchpoint is economic growth through entrepreneurship. Encouraging entrepreneurship and supporting migrant entrepreneurs significantly contribute to job creation and economic expansion, central goals of SDG 8.
SDG 8 also encourages the advancement of inclusive policies to promote gender equality and support vulnerable groups in labor markets. Measures to strengthen such policies are essential to achieving decent work for all, reflecting its link with SDG 5 on gender equality.
Local and regional governments support initiatives in the social and solidarity economy (SSE), which facilitates the formalization of informal work and promotes decent work conditions. This connection between community-based economic development and the goals of SDG 8 is vital.
Achieving SDG 8's targets requires significant investment, estimated at trillions of dollars annually. Mobilizing such financing towards sustainable jobs and economic growth is fundamental, as it creates new market opportunities and millions of jobs globally by 2030.
SDG8 also aims to eradicate forced labor, modern slavery, and human trafficking. The goal is to ensure a better future for everyone, as the plan consists of 17 Sustainable Development Goals adopted by the United Nations in September 2015.
This article aims to bring the understanding of SDG8 to a home setting, providing a walkthrough of the Sustainable Development Goals, focusing on SDG8 - Decent Work and Economic Growth. The UN General Assembly meets annually in New York to discuss and advance these goals. However, it's important to note that this article does not provide specific details on how SDG8 is being achieved or the current progress towards its goals.
Personal growth and education-and-self-development are critical for career-development and job-search success, aligning with Sustainable Development Goal 8 (SDG 8). Skills-training and lifelong learning boost one's chances of securing decent employment and contribute to economic growth, key targets within SDG 8's mission to promote productive employment and decent work for all.
