Decent Work, Fair Globalisation and the Dreadful ‘J’ Word

Long before the term “decent work” became widely recognised, V.V. Giri, B.R. Ambedkar and others emphasised its importance. Work that traps people in bondage or poverty or exposes them to hazards, discrimination or insecurity, prevents individuals and the economies they contribute to from advancing and reaching their full potential. Today, as newer forms of work such as gig work and platform work emerge, it is essential for the law to continuously evolve to protect the interests of all workers. Law without justice is incomplete. Various agencies, including the legal system, the state, enforcement authorities, the civil society, among others, must work together to deliver justice to the broader population, principally the weak and disempowered. In a world where inequality is rising dramatically, justice must not elude the people.