Chapter 1 Work and human development- analytical links
Chapter 1 Work and human development— analytical links
Infographic:Links between work and human development Work Better health Income and livelihood Better knowledge and Work and Security skills Women's empowerment Awareness human development Participation and voice Human capital Dignity and recognition Opportunities are synergistic Creativity and innovation Choice Hman developmen
Infographic: Links between work and human development Work Better health Better knowledge and skills Awareness Human capital Opportunities Choice Income and livelihood Security Women’s empowerment Participation and voice Dignity and recognition Creativity and innovation Work and human development are synergistic Human development
1. 清。种 1 Work and human development- analytical links The true aim of development is not only to boost incomes,but also to maximize human choices-by enhancing human rights,freedoms,capabilities and opportunities and by enabling people to lead long.healthy and creative lives.Critical to this process is work,central to human existence.Human beings prepare for work as children,engage in work as adults and expect to retire from work in later life.Through the human lifecycle,quality of life is thus closely bound to the quality of work. From an economic perspective,work ena-tiring,boring,repetitive and dangerous.And bles people to earn a livelihood and achieve just as the right kind of work enhances human economic security.But from a human devel- development,so the wrong kind can be deeply opment perspective,it also allows people to destructive.Around the world millions of enhance their capabilities by providing them people,many of them still children,are forced with acquired skills and knowledge.Income into exploitative labour.Some are trapped in from work helps workers achieve a better bonded labour that robs them of their rights standard of living and allows them to have and dignity.Some work in hazardous con- better access to health and education-critical ditions deprived of labour rights and social ingredients to enhancing capabilities.Work protection,spending their days in drudgery also provides people with expanded opportu- that stifles their potential (see table Al.I at the nities and choices in their economic and social end of the chapter).And while work should lives.It allows workers to participate fully in create fairer societies,it can also be divisive if society while affording them a sense of dignity vast differences in opportunities and rewards and worth.And work that involves caring for perpetuate divisions and inequalities. others builds social cohesion and strengthens bonds within families and communities.To contribute to human development,work needs Work is broader than jobs to be productive,worthwhile and meaningful -and to unleash human potential,creativity The notion of work is broader and deeper than and spirit. that of jobs or employment (box 1.1).Jobs Work also strengthens societies.By working provide income and support human dignity, The notion of work is together,human beings not only increase ma- participation and economic security.But the terial well-being,they also accumulate a wide jobs framework is restrictive.It fails to capture broader and deeper body of knowledge that serves as the basis for many kinds of work that are more flexible and than that of jobs cultures and civilizations.In addition,work open-ended,including care work,voluntary or employment should make societies fairer by providing work and creative expression,such as writing opportunities for poor people to strive for or painting-all of which are important for a better living.When work is environmen- human development.Embracing these other tally friendly,the benefits extend through dimensions requires a broader notion of work generations.Work thus enhances human (figure 1.1). development.Needless to say,by improving Seen in this way,work is very diverse.It can human capabilities,opportunities and choices, be paid or unpaid,formal or informal,and human development also contributes to work. carried out within households or outside(see In short,work and human development are table A1.2 at the end of the chapter).And it synergistic and mutually reinforcing (see info-can take place in very different circumstances, graphic at the beginning of the chapter). pleasant or unpleasant,offering a wide range However,the link between work and human of rights and opportunities,all reflecting development is not automatic.Work can be different contexts and levels of development. Chapter 1 Work and human development-analytical links 29
1. Chapter 1 Work and human development—analytical links | 29 The notion of work is broader and deeper than that of jobs or employment Work and human development— analytical links The true aim of development is not only to boost incomes, but also to maximize human choices—by enhancing human rights, freedoms, capabilities and opportunities and by enabling people to lead long, healthy and creative lives. Critical to this process is work, central to human existence. Human beings prepare for work as children, engage in work as adults and expect to retire from work in later life. Through the human lifecycle, quality of life is thus closely bound to the quality of work. From an economic perspective, work enables people to earn a livelihood and achieve economic security. But from a human development perspective, it also allows people to enhance their capabilities by providing them with acquired skills and knowledge. Income from work helps workers achieve a better standard of living and allows them to have better access to health and education—critical ingredients to enhancing capabilities. Work also provides people with expanded opportunities and choices in their economic and social lives. It allows workers to participate fully in society while affording them a sense of dignity and worth. And work that involves caring for others builds social cohesion and strengthens bonds within families and communities. To contribute to human development, work needs to be productive, worthwhile and meaningful —and to unleash human potential, creativity and spirit. Work also strengthens societies. By working together, human beings not only increase material well-being, they also accumulate a wide body of knowledge that serves as the basis for cultures and civilizations. In addition, work should make societies fairer by providing opportunities for poor people to strive for a better living. When work is environmentally friendly, the benefits extend through generations. Work thus enhances human development. Needless to say, by improving human capabilities, opportunities and choices, human development also contributes to work. In short, work and human development are synergistic and mutually reinforcing (see infographic at the beginning of the chapter). However, the link between work and human development is not automatic. Work can be tiring, boring, repetitive and dangerous. And just as the right kind of work enhances human development, so the wrong kind can be deeply destructive. Around the world millions of people, many of them still children, are forced into exploitative labour. Some are trapped in bonded labour that robs them of their rights and dignity. Some work in hazardous conditions deprived of labour rights and social protection, spending their days in drudgery that stifles their potential (see table A1.1 at the end of the chapter). And while work should create fairer societies, it can also be divisive if vast differences in opportunities and rewards perpetuate divisions and inequalities. Work is broader than jobs The notion of work is broader and deeper than that of jobs or employment (box 1.1). Jobs provide income and support human dignity, participation and economic security. But the jobs framework is restrictive. It fails to capture many kinds of work that are more flexible and open-ended, including care work, voluntary work and creative expression, such as writing or painting—all of which are important for human development. Embracing these other dimensions requires a broader notion of work (figure 1.1). Seen in this way, work is very diverse. It can be paid or unpaid, formal or informal, and carried out within households or outside (see table A1.2 at the end of the chapter). And it can take place in very different circumstances, pleasant or unpleasant, offering a wide range of rights and opportunities, all reflecting different contexts and levels of development
B0X1.1 What is work? For this report.work is any activity that not only leads feeling of satisfaction along with their approbation-or to the production and consumption of goods or ser- feeling of frustration at being expected to perform the vices.but also goes beyond production for economic task or to forgo other activities such as earning money. value.Work thus includes activities that may result in pursuing education or participating in public life.Work. broader human well-being,both for the present and for from a human development perspective,is about the the future. degree of freedom individuals have in making choices Work involves four sets of people:workers them- about the work they do. selves:other entities such as employers who provide However,if a domestic helper does the cooking.the complementary inputs;consumers of the goods or situation changes.In this case there is a financial return services produced;and the rest of the world,which en- to the worker,with the family not only acting as con- compasses other people,society and the natural envi- sumers,but also providing the complementary inputs. ronment as well as future generations and the workers' This activity may be differently remunerated depending future selves.Work has both monetary and nonmone- on whether it is performed by a man or woman,a citizen tary returns.tangible and intangible,with expressed or an immigrant.An individual who is coerced into per- and unintended consequences. forming the activity or who receives lower returns than Consider someone who is cooking.If cooking for those available to another is being exploited. himself,the cost as a producer is the opportunity cost of This approach to work can also be applied to cre- his time,which could have been spent doing something ative workers and volunteers.For example,in a restau- else;the retumn to him as a consumer is the nutrition rant a chef may pursue creativity in addition to income from the meal.No other actors are involved,though and experience professional satisfaction,self-esteem there could be an impact on the environment.Now con- and dignity.Similarly,a volunteer at a community sider an individual cooking for his family.In this case kitchen is not working for money but may be working for the list of consumers grows.The tangible returns now altruistic satisfaction. include family nutrition,combined with the intangible Source:Human Development Report Office The quality of work is as important as the affords them the opportunity to be innovative quantity. and self-expressive while striving to earn a liv- Care work (discussed in chapter 4)is funda- ing.Although creative work can be improvisa- mentally important to human development. tional and derivative,it involves originality and Care work includes housework,such as prepar- uniqueness. ing meals for the family,cleaning the house and gathering water and fuel,as well as work caring for groups who cannot care for themselves- Work in different stages children,older people and family members who of the lifecycle are sick-over both the short and long term. Voluntary work has been defined as unpaid Periods in a lifecycle are demographically,phys- noncompulsory work-that is,the discretionary ically and culturally dependent and change over free time individuals give without pay to activi- time.There are overlaps between the different ties performed either through an organization or stages,and the stages may vary among indi- Creative expression directly for others outside their own household. viduals.Work needs to be seen in the context Voluntary work is by definition an expression of a human lifecycle and how it changes in contributes new ideas of free choice,intrinsically enhancing human different stages of that cycle.In many cases it is development from the individual perspective. not a question of choice;decisions triggered by Creative expression contributes new ideas to cultural expectations or absence of appropriate society in works of art and cultural products, support force people to be in different work functional creations,scientific interventions situations.Thus early marriage for girls or cuts and technological innovations.Creative work in state-provided child care may result in pull- is desirable to many individuals because it ing girls out of school-with lifelong effects on 30 HUMAN DEVELOPMENT REPORT 2015
Creative expression contributes new ideas The quality of work is as important as the quantity. Care work (discussed in chapter 4) is fundamentally important to human development. Care work includes housework, such as preparing meals for the family, cleaning the house and gathering water and fuel, as well as work caring for groups who cannot care for themselves— children, older people and family members who are sick—over both the short and long term. Voluntary work has been defined as unpaid noncompulsory work—that is, the discretionary free time individuals give without pay to activities performed either through an organization or directly for others outside their own household. Voluntary work is by definition an expression of free choice, intrinsically enhancing human development from the individual perspective. Creative expression contributes new ideas to society in works of art and cultural products, functional creations, scientific interventions and technological innovations. Creative work is desirable to many individuals because it affords them the opportunity to be innovative and self-expressive while striving to earn a living. Although creative work can be improvisational and derivative, it involves originality and uniqueness. Work in different stages of the lifecycle Periods in a lifecycle are demographically, physically and culturally dependent and change over time. There are overlaps between the different stages, and the stages may vary among individuals. Work needs to be seen in the context of a human lifecycle and how it changes in different stages of that cycle. In many cases it is not a question of choice; decisions triggered by cultural expectations or absence of appropriate support force people to be in different work situations. Thus early marriage for girls or cuts in state-provided child care may result in pulling girls out of school—with lifelong effects on BOX 1.1 What is work? For this report, work is any activity that not only leads to the production and consumption of goods or services, but also goes beyond production for economic value. Work thus includes activities that may result in broader human well-being, both for the present and for the future. Work involves four sets of people: workers themselves; other entities such as employers who provide complementary inputs; consumers of the goods or services produced; and the rest of the world, which encompasses other people, society and the natural environment as well as future generations and the workers’ future selves. Work has both monetary and nonmonetary returns, tangible and intangible, with expressed and unintended consequences. Consider someone who is cooking. If cooking for himself, the cost as a producer is the opportunity cost of his time, which could have been spent doing something else; the return to him as a consumer is the nutrition from the meal. No other actors are involved, though there could be an impact on the environment. Now consider an individual cooking for his family. In this case the list of consumers grows. The tangible returns now include family nutrition, combined with the intangible feeling of satisfaction along with their approbation—or feeling of frustration at being expected to perform the task or to forgo other activities such as earning money, pursuing education or participating in public life. Work, from a human development perspective, is about the degree of freedom individuals have in making choices about the work they do. However, if a domestic helper does the cooking, the situation changes. In this case there is a financial return to the worker, with the family not only acting as consumers, but also providing the complementary inputs. This activity may be differently remunerated depending on whether it is performed by a man or woman, a citizen or an immigrant. An individual who is coerced into performing the activity or who receives lower returns than those available to another is being exploited. This approach to work can also be applied to creative workers and volunteers. For example, in a restaurant a chef may pursue creativity in addition to income and experience professional satisfaction, self-esteem and dignity. Similarly, a volunteer at a community kitchen is not working for money but may be working for altruistic satisfaction. Source: Human Development Report Office. 30 | HUMAN DEVELOPMENT REPORT 2015
FIGURE 1.1 Work encompasses more than just jobs Wage employment Self- employment Jobs/ employment Water/fuel collection Tending to sick Cooking Unpaid Caring for children care work Cleaning Work needs to be Work seen in the context Voluntary of a human cycle work Informal Creative expression Writing Animation Sculpture Dance Poetry Drama Photography Design Painting Music Source:Human Development Raport Office. their ability to enter the labour market,earn beyond low-wage,unsecure livelihoods may a decent income and become economically be scarce for many.There are similar risks and empowered.Work is a source of,as well as a re- vulnerabilities for older workers,particularly in sponse to,risk and vulnerability,which people developing countries,where paid work remains experience differently over the course of their a necessity in old age but work choices may be lives. constrained. At the prime working age,a worker's priority People are living longer and healthier lives in may be maximizing the economic returns of most countries,which expands the productive work over other things-not only to provide potential of older workers.But there are trade- for present needs,but also to save for future offs for individuals who may wish to have more requirements.But under other conditions control of their time,for discretionary leisure people (including older workers and many or for different types of paid and unpaid work young workers)may wish to move to areas of activities.The right age to make the transition is work where the economic returns are not very probably not the same for every worker,which high but where they feel happier and content complicates policy decisions about increasing in their work.At the same time,young people the retirement age. may be constrained in their work options. Strong forces on the work choices of older With youth unemployment rising,options people come from national pension policies Chapter 1 Work and human development-analytical links 31
Work needs to be seen in the context of a human cycle their ability to enter the labour market, earn a decent income and become economically empowered. Work is a source of, as well as a response to, risk and vulnerability, which people experience differently over the course of their lives. At the prime working age, a worker’s priority may be maximizing the economic returns of work over other things—not only to provide for present needs, but also to save for future requirements. But under other conditions people (including older workers and many young workers) may wish to move to areas of work where the economic returns are not very high but where they feel happier and content in their work. At the same time, young people may be constrained in their work options. With youth unemployment rising, options beyond low-wage, unsecure livelihoods may be scarce for many. There are similar risks and vulnerabilities for older workers, particularly in developing countries, where paid work remains a necessity in old age but work choices may be constrained. People are living longer and healthier lives in most countries, which expands the productive potential of older workers. But there are tradeoffs for individuals who may wish to have more control of their time, for discretionary leisure or for different types of paid and unpaid work activities. The right age to make the transition is probably not the same for every worker, which complicates policy decisions about increasing the retirement age. Strong forces on the work choices of older people come from national pension policies FIGURE 1.1 Work encompasses more than just jobs Work Jobs/ employment Unpaid care work Voluntary work Creative expression Informal Organizational Wage employment Selfemployment Animation Dance Design Drama Music Photography Poetry Sculpture Writing Painting Water/fuel collection Tending to sick Cooking Caring for children Cleaning Source: Human Development Report Office. Chapter 1 Work and human development—analytical links | 31