Protecting right to work

Protecting the right to perform constructive, purposeful action for a fair reward. To deny this right to others is to deprive them of their dignity and to deprive society of the benefit of their potential.

The right to the dignity of work is one of the most basic expressions of human worth. Work allows the individual to provide for the basic needs of self and family, and then to achieve higher standards of living or use the fruit of their endeavours for the benefit of others. It is also an important part of the development and fulfilment of the individual through the expression and realization of skills, wisdom and potential. A society is enriched by the creative contribution and productive participation of people of both sexes having a variety of disciplines, skills and expertise. For the individual, personal satisfaction and self-esteem are enhanced by being part of a society of people which is the better for his or her efforts. Human dignity demands that work offer more than just the means to continued existence; it should also provide the opportunity to contribute to the common good of society.

Article 1 of the European Social Charter (Revised) (Strasbourg 1996) provides: With a view to ensuring the effective exercise of the right to work, the Parties undertake: 1) to accept as one of their primary aims and responsibilities the achievement and maintenance of as high and stable a level of employment as possible, with a view to the attainment of full employment; 2) to protect effectively the right of the worker to earn his living in an occupation freely entered upon; 3) to establish or maintain free employment services for all workers; and 4) to provide or promote appropriate vocational guidance, training and rehabilitation.