Decent work

Decent work means jobs that are productive, respect labour rights, generate a fair income and treat everyone equally. Decent jobs allow employees to do their work in safe, healthy conditions and guarantee freedom of voice.

We promote decent employment and self-employment opportunities for young people by improving the skills and capabilities of workers and strengthening labour markets and providing business development services. We work with people to strengthen their employability and business skills. 

Using a multi-level approach, we design and implement interventions across different levels including: individual, household, community, system and policy. We also support labour markets to create decent employment and self-employment opportunities for young people. By looking at ways to influencing change at all levels, we can target both the labour market and supply and demand.

Increasing young people’s access to decent job opportunities is key in increasing incomes and strengthening the economic wellbeing of marginalised individuals, households and communities.

We promote social protection for young people and informal workers as part of our decent work agenda.

Our work in creating decent jobs

Supporting poor farming households to make a sustainable living

Improving Market Access for the Poor (IMA4P) works across Cambodia, Nigeria, Malawi and Tanzania. IMA4P identifies high-impact value chains and transforms agricultural markets making them work better for the world's poorest people.

Breaking down bottlenecks to growth in Tanzania

With one of the world’s youngest populations, Tanzania’s economic growth is being driven by the youth. Find out how three women are creating jobs for dozens more - and changing their communities.

“I want my daughter to grow up to be a businesswoman like myself.”

A VSO-ICS training programme in business skills helped Rumana Khatun establish a thriving bag-making business and transform her family’s lives.