An event dedicated to the World Day for Decent Work was held at the Institute of Biophysics

On October 7 – the World Day for Decent Work, an event was held at the Institute of Biophysics on the initiative and organization of the Trade Union Organization.

Opening the event with an introductory speech, the Chairman of the Institute’s Trade Union Committee, Associate Professor Rasim Aslanov, noted that the World Day for Decent Work is celebrated annually on October 7. He emphasized that the initiative to mark this day belongs to the International Trade Union Confederation and, with the support of the International Labour Organization, it has been widely recognized worldwide since 2008.

Associate Professor R. Aslanov stressed that the concept of decent work is not limited only to wages. It also includes workplace safety, social protection, equality, dialogue among trade unions, and the protection of labor rights. The main goal is to safeguard workers’ rights, ensure social justice, and provide everyone with decent working conditions.

Later, Aysel Aliyeva, a junior researcher at the Integrative Biology Laboratory, stated that the concept of decent work involves not only the economic but also the social well-being of employees. In this regard, within the UN Sustainable Development Goals, a special goal has been set: SDG 8 – “Decent Work and Economic Growth.”

It was noted during the event that millions of people around the world face informal employment, forced labor, and child labor exploitation every year. According to the latest report of the International Labour Organization, about 60 percent of workers currently lack social protection and rights, 27.6 million people work under forced labor conditions, and 160 million children are deprived of education and engaged in labor activities. In addition, youth unemployment stands at 12.6 percent, which is three times higher than the general rate.

Certain challenges remain in Azerbaijan as well. These include the high share of informal employment, the limited participation of women in the labor market, the use of child labor, and youth unemployment, which still pose pressing problems for the country. According to official statistics, in 2024 the overall unemployment rate was 5.6 percent, while among women it was 6.5 percent. Approximately 4.5 percent of children are engaged in labor activities, most of them working in agriculture.

Speakers emphasized that decent work is a fundamental right of every person, serving both the well-being of workers and the sustainable development of society. The participants unanimously stressed that strengthening social protection for workers, ensuring gender equality, eliminating informal employment, and increasing employment opportunities for young people should be among the main priorities.

In conclusion, it was underlined that a just, equal, and prosperous future can only be built on decent work. No child should work in the fields instead of going to school, no woman should receive lower pay for the same work, and no person should be left without social protection.

Decent work is the cornerstone of social justice, equality, and development.