A/HRC/RES/31/15
recently launched centenary initiatives of the International Labour Organization on the future
of work and on women at work,
Reaffirming that all human rights and civil, political, economic, social and cultural
rights, including the right to development, are universal, indivisible, interrelated,
interdependent and mutually reinforcing, and that all human rights must be treated in a fair
and equal manner, on the same footing and with the same emphasis,
Emphasizing that States should undertake to guarantee that the right to work is to be
exercised without discrimination of any kind as to race, colour, sex, language, religion,
political or other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth or other status,
Emphasizing also that the right to work is not only essential for realizing other
human rights but also an inseparable and inherent part of human dignity and is important to
ensure the satisfaction of human needs and values that are central to a dignified life,
Recognizing that full and productive employment and decent work for all are key
elements of poverty-reduction strategies that facilitate the achievement of the
internationally agreed development goals, in particular the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable
Development,1 and that they require a multidimensional focus that incorporates
Governments, the private sector, civil society organizations, representatives of employers
and workers, international organizations and, in particular, the agencies of the United
Nations system and the international financial institutions,
1.
Takes note with appreciation of the report of the United Nations High
Commissioner for Human Rights on the realization of the right to work;2
2.
Reaffirms, as enshrined in the International Covenant on Economic, Social
and Cultural Rights, the right to work, which includes the right of everyone to the
opportunity to gain his or her living by work which he or she freely chooses or accepts, and
that States should take steps to achieve the full realization of that right, including technical
and vocational guidance and training programmes, policies and techniques, to achieve
steady economic, social and cultural development and full and productive employment
under conditions safeguarding the fundamental political and economic freedoms of the
individual;
3.
Also reaffirms, as enshrined in the International Covenant on Economic,
Social and Cultural Rights, the right of everyone to the enjoyment of just and favourable
conditions of work which ensure, in particular, remuneration which provides all workers, as
a minimum, with fair wages and equal remuneration for work of equal value without
distinction of any kind, in particular women being guaranteed conditions of work not
inferior to those enjoyed by men, with equal pay for equal work; a decent living for
themselves and their families; safe and healthy working conditions; equal opportunity for
everyone to be promoted in his or her employment to an appropriate higher level, subject to
no considerations other than those of seniority and competence; and rest, leisure and
reasonable limitation of working hours and periodic holidays with pay, and remuneration
for public holidays;
4.
Further reaffirms that States have the primary responsibility to ensure the full
realization of all human rights and to endeavour to take steps, individually and through
international assistance and cooperation, especially economic and technical, to the
maximum of their available resources, with a view to progressively achieving the full
realization of the right to work, including in particular the adoption of legislative measures;
1
2
2
General Assembly resolution 70/1.
A/HRC/31/32.