From Precarious Work to Just Work and Dignified Life

“I work in the agricultural sector, the heat in the fields is unbearable and the conditions are very hard. They exploit me and treat me as if I were a machine, not a person. Despite all the effort, the salary is barely enough to cover the basics.” - Bendjy, Haitian migrant

Today, October 7, we are celebrating the International Day for Decent Work. This day reminds us of the importance of ensuring just and dignified working conditions for all workers around the world. Decent work is a fundamental right that we all deserve. It means having a job with just conditions, decent wages, adequate social protection, and a safe and healthy working environment. It is work that respects human dignity and promotes equal opportunity without discrimination.

 In contrast, precarious work is characterized by instability, low wages, lack of benefits and unsafe working conditions. This type of employment not only affects the economic stability of workers, but also undermines human dignity and perpetuates inequality.

Transforming precarious work to just work and a dignified life is deeply rooted in our history. The YCW’s existence is a testament to the social, political, and economic struggles we have faced. Our past, present, and future are all intrinsically linked to the struggles in societies.

The YCW movement for its Centenary is celebrating 100 years of advocating for social justice, dignified work, and empowering young workers. As we mark this milestone, we reflect on our history, reaffirm our commitment to social change, defending workers' rights and combating precarious work for a future where young workers no longer see precarious work as a better option than unemployment or view contracts merely as symbols of stability and security. Instead, we strive for a reality where they have access to just work and a dignified life, which includes:

• Rights at Work: It is essential to guarantee the fundamental rights of all workers, including freedom of expression and association, and equal opportunity without discrimination.
• Respect for Human Dignity: Treating all workers with respect and dignity, promoting an inclusive and supportive work environment.
• Living Wage: Ensuring that workers have a salary that covers not only their basic needs, but also allows them to invest in their education and professional growth. This, in turn, opens up new opportunities and improves quality of life, creating a positive cycle of progress and well-being.
• Social Protection: Providing access to benefits such as health insurance, pensions and other social security systems to ensure that workers and their families can live with dignity.
• Workplace Safety: Guaranteeing a safe and healthy work environment, where each person can perform without risk to their health and well-being. A job that prioritizes safety is a dignified job, since it respects and protects the physical and mental integrity of workers.

For all those reasons, on this occasion, we are raising our voices to demand decent and fair working conditions for all workers worldwide, including quality jobs, labor rights protection, and the eradication of precarious work. All workers should have access to a decent living income, job security, and dignified working conditions.

Let us join forces to eradicate precariousness and build a world of decent work for all. Only in this way can we build a future in which every worker is respected and valued.

As Joseph Cardijn, our founder, told us: “A young worker is worth more than all the gold in the world, because he is a child of God.”