Challenging Neoliberalism: ILO, Human Rights, and Public Health Frameworks on Decent Work

Area of Science:

• Public Health Policy
• International Law
• Social Determinants of Health

Background:

• The 2008 "Closing the Gap" report by the Commission on Social Determinants of Health (CSDH) identified "fair employment and decent work" as crucial for health.
• The CSDH proposed structural changes for universal decent work and health.
• However, the CSDH report did not acknowledge the International Labour Organization's (ILO) Decent Work Agenda or international human rights law regarding decent work.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare the CSDH framework with the ILO's Decent Work Agenda and international human rights law.
• To argue that the CSDH should have grounded its recommendations in existing international law.
• To demonstrate how linking the CSDH report to international law would strengthen all three frameworks.

Main Methods:

• Comparative analysis of three decent work frameworks: CSDH, ILO, and human rights law.
• Legal and policy analysis of international frameworks within the United Nations system.

Main Results:

• The CSDH framework, while influential, was not legally grounded in established international law.
• Integrating CSDH with ILO and human rights law offers a more robust approach to achieving decent work and health.
• Strengthening the legal basis enhances the capacity of international bodies (WHO, ILO) to address health inequities.

Conclusions:

• The CSDH report missed an opportunity to leverage existing international legal frameworks for promoting decent work and health.
• Grounding health policy in international law enhances coherence and effectiveness.
• A unified approach strengthens the collective ability to advocate for decent work and health globally.