About

February 5th, 2010

The Decent Work and Labour Standards Forum

The Decent Work and Labour Standards Forum is a multi-stakeholder body of development NGOs, trade unions, businesses, academics and labour standards specialists working together with the UK government towards the achievement of decent work and the alleviation of poverty for working people in the global south. It does so by running activities allowing stakeholders to learn, share and debate ideas on decent work, and to access, influence and assist the UK government on decent work. 

The Forum was set up in May 2009, with support from DFID and the TUC, to assist people in the global south to work their way out of poverty, through strengthening the UK government’s contribution to achieving decent work and adherence to labour standards. It follows on from DFID’s own Labour Standards and Poverty Reduction Forum, run from 2005 to 2008.

A focus on the UK government  

Development NGOs, trade unions and employers are integral to implementing the Decent Work Agenda in the global south.  The primary focus of the Forum is to empower these groups to assist and influence the UK government. While DFID leads on the international development dimensions of Decent Work, the work of other government departments also touches on Decent Work, including BIS, OGC, FCO, DIUS, DWP, NHS etc. Accordingly, the Forum seeks to engage all relevant parts of government in its activities. 

 A focus on poverty in the Global South

 The Forum explicitly focuses on alleviating the poverty of working people in the Global South. Securing Decent Work is also a critical issue in the UK, and where appropriate (e.g. for comparative purposes) activities may include consideration of the UK context, but this will not be a primary focus.

 A Focus on Decent Work

 Decent Work is based on principles of employment creation and workers’ rights including equality, social protection and social dialogue, and is essential for fair, equitable and inclusive societies. The Forum seeks to promote the Decent Work as it relates to poverty reduction. Moving away from developmental approaches that advocate the trading off the quality of jobs for the creation of jobs, the Forum instead prefers to explore interventions providing for more and better quality jobs. 

For more information on Decent Work click here

How we work

The Decent Work and Labour Standards Forum organises events on a bespoke basis around a specific advocacy target or theme.  In May 09, for example, it met in order to compile a submission to DFID’s White Paper consultation. The Forum has a Steering Group comprising of representatives from each of its constituencies, who meet quarterly. 

Any member of the Forum is welcome to propose an event or discussion on a relevant issue. As long as the meeting can collectively add something to the issue, the Forum can help in convening it. Contact the Forum coordinator at contact@decentwork.org.uk  for more information

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