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TOWARDS QUALITY EMPLOYMENT

A decent salary, health insurance, protection against accidents, a safe working environment… How can we define a quality job in a context where labour markets are still largely informal, and self-employment is so widespread?
The IECD has long measured the income level of beneficiaries, their ability to save and their capacity to financially support their families. The IECD therefore wanted to go one step further by extending its impact measurement method with new ‘job quality’ indicators that apply to people who have completed their training and to the entrepreneurs supported.
The study conducted by the IECD on job quality has made it possible to establish a common frame of reference for all projects, taking into account the diversity of contexts, situations and forms of employment in the countries of operation.

Six dimensions of job quality

Six dimensions of job quality, combining objective and subjective criteria, have been identified: income, material conditions of employment, social protection, working hours, the collective dimension of work and, finally, the subjective appreciation of work. It is often difficult to make a clearcut judgement as to whether a job is decent or indecent.

Taking these 6 dimensions into account makes it possible to balance the criteria that weigh in the evaluation of the quality of the job for a more refined assessment, and to shed light on their importance for an individual according to his or her situation.

In addition, this study provides things to consider on how the IECD, in addition to better measuring the impact of its projects, could contribute to improving the quality of employment through its projects.

In Madagascar, for example, in the hotel and catering sector, where there are issues concerning working hours and material conditions, the IECD has used the study to develop a methodology for evaluating internships and jobs, and then to initiate actions to raise employer awareness, with the aim of improving practices.