On one hand
the domestic industries lack skilled manpower, on the other around 1,700 youths
fly to the deserts of middle east and Malaysia for employment due to
government's failure in creating decent work and ensuring just remuneration.
Fare wage is a fundamental rights of a worker as the UN is marking the
20th anniversary of Human Rights Day under the theme '20 Years: Working for
your rights' today.
The International Labour Organisation (ILO) also focuses on the
challenges facing low-paid workers, which are at the centre of economic and
social rights.
"One of
the fundamental human rights is the right to a just remuneration that ensures
an existence worthy of human dignity," ILO senior economist Patrick Belser.
The preamble
to the Constitution of the ILO identifies the provision of an adequate living
wage as one of the conditions for universal and lasting peace based on social
justice," he says, adding that although there is no universally accepted
amount that defines such remuneration, it can be described as a wage from
full-time work that allows people to lead a decent life considered acceptable
by society.
These ideals
were crafted in 1919, yet nearly a hundred years later, millions of 'working
poor' are struggling to make ends meet.
In the developing world like Nepal, in particular, many workers consider that they never really had an adequate living wage. The pattern of economic growth in recent years in developing and emerging economies has not translated into 'decent work' for all – work that meets people’s aspirations in their working lives, providing them with a decent income.
In the developing world like Nepal, in particular, many workers consider that they never really had an adequate living wage. The pattern of economic growth in recent years in developing and emerging economies has not translated into 'decent work' for all – work that meets people’s aspirations in their working lives, providing them with a decent income.
Even in
advanced economies, where average income is much higher, the aspiration of an
adequate living wage is not always fulfilled.
In poor
countries, the capacity of enterprises to pay is so low that wages are often
lower than what many consider to be sufficient for living in dignity. Part of
the solution, Belser says, is for governments to pursue policies that are
conducive to economic growth and higher productivity, including improving
opportunities for education and training.
"But
the fact that there are working poor in rich countries shows that economic
growth alone is not enough," he explains. "Trade unions can also help
the low paid get a fair wage."
However,
there is a doubt on politically backed trade unions like in Nepal that has used
as a vehicle to power not for the empowerment of the workers.
The ILO
supports governments across the world to set minimum wages that take into
account not only economic factors, but also the needs of workers and their
families," he added.
“Living wage initiatives, like those launched in the UK and US, as well as the steps taken by multinationals to implement living wages in their supply chains, have been helpful too," Bslser said, adding that they should, however, not be seen as substitutes for union rights, minimum wages or collective bargaining.
Studies have shown that paying employees a fair wage can benefit both employees and employers. It motivates staff to work more and better, and contributes to create peace in the workplace and higher productivity.
This year marks the twentieth anniversary of UN Human Rights Day.
The United Nations has
highlighted, amongst others, 'economic, social, cultural, civil, political
rights and the right to development'. A fair wage is at the heart of these
aspirations.“Living wage initiatives, like those launched in the UK and US, as well as the steps taken by multinationals to implement living wages in their supply chains, have been helpful too," Bslser said, adding that they should, however, not be seen as substitutes for union rights, minimum wages or collective bargaining.
Studies have shown that paying employees a fair wage can benefit both employees and employers. It motivates staff to work more and better, and contributes to create peace in the workplace and higher productivity.
This year marks the twentieth anniversary of UN Human Rights Day.
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