8 DECENT WORK AND ECONOMIC GROWTH
Many people believe that economic growth is absolutely necessary in the monetary economic system. If the economy grows, the increased wealth can be distributed. Wealth cannot grow without economic growth, nor can it be distributed more to the people. Without growth, society stagnate. In a stagnant society, people do not become rich, and social anxiety, dissatisfaction and stress tend to increase. If the economy cannot grow, it will gradually decline. In a declining society, people become poorer and poorer, and society is filled with dissatisfaction and stress. In some cases, society may be exposed to the crisis of collapse. Economic growth is said to be effective in making people richer and having expectations for the future of society, and in making it easier for the money economy to develop without stagnation. There is also a strong belief that economic growth should be pursued in order to avoid stagnation and decline, which could become a risk factor for the collapse of society.
On the other hand, the idea that society should be stable and sustainable is spreading in recent years. Looking at history, various nations and societies have repeatedly risen, grown, declined, and collapsed. While a nation is born and growing, it has momentum and people look healthy, but once it begins to decline or collapse, many people will suffer and die. Many people die in riots, civil wars, or even wars between nations. Climate change and environmental destruction caused by social activities may make it impossible for people to live in the future. It is terrifying to see so many people dying in an unsustainable society with anxiety about the future.
So, is it possible to achieve both economic growth and sustainability? Or is it that economic growth and sustainable politics of the nation and society are incompatible and will inevitably lead to bankruptcy? Balancing economic growth and sustainability is an open question. Decline and collapse must be avoided in national management, and it is required to always aim for economic growth. However, if economic growth leads to increased energy consumption and environmental destruction, it could lead to future bankruptcies. Perhaps it is impossible to achieve both of these, and it may be impossible to realize a society that is sustainable and continues to grow economically.
Decent work is variously translated, but it can be thought of as "work that is good enough to be accepted as a person." Even if society is growing and the economy is booming, people should not be forced to work hard and be unable to feel happy. People's happiness is essential for building a better society. For people to be happy, society's work must be acceptable to them.
To be happy is to know contentment. It's dissatisfying, and it's hard to feel happy when you're in a situation of envy and resentment.
In considering people's happiness, it is necessary to consider the essence of human beings. Even if we think about decent work, we cannot discuss it without considering human nature. For example, let's say you have a job called cleaning. Some people may think that "cleaning" is a boring and unpleasant job. Others may find "cleaning" a rewarding job of beautifying their surroundings. There is no difference in the work itself, but depending on the feelings and thoughts of the person doing it, it may or may not be decent work.
The money economy draws humans into the lust for money. No matter how dangerous or ferocious a carnivore is, once it's full, it's satisfied and doesn't want more. But man's thirst for money is boundless. No matter how much you earn, your desires will never end. A bottomless thirst for money drives the economy and at the same time makes people unhappy. A society that makes people happy is to create a society where people know satisfaction.
Striking the right balance between economic growth, sustainability, and decent work can lead to self-contradiction and social distortions. However, by changing that way of thinking, we may be able to find a better direction for society.
Companies also need to discard stereotypes or old ways of thinking, grasp the current state of growth, sustainability, and decent work, and think about the direction to make them better.
The United Nations has set 12 specific targets for “decent work and economic growth”. In order to actually achieve the goal of “decent work and economic growth,” let's take a look at these targets and think about them.
8.1 Sustain per capita economic growth in accordance with national circumstances and, in particular, at least 7 per cent gross domestic product growth per annum in the least developed countries
The target here is to sustain per capita economic growth. Japan has a stagnant economy, with growth hovering around his 0%. If this target is true, Japan's goal is to keep the economy stagnant. If Japan alone is stagnant while other countries are growing economically, Japan is in relative decline. If you are a nation, you should aim for economic growth, and you should build a nation that is not defeated by competition. This target by SDGs is unacceptable for Japan as it is.
As for the least developed countries, a specific numerical target is set to "maintain an annual growth rate of 7%." This seems to be aimed at making developing countries prosperous in the future by continuing to achieve greater economic growth than developed countries. 7% annual growth is a lot. There seem to be various problems as to how to achieve this goal concretely.
There are many ways to increase the numerical growth rate. However, even if the numerical growth rate increases, it does not mean that people will be happy. If the distribution of wealth is highly unfair, many people in society will become increasingly dissatisfied.
As a company, it is important to actively engage in economic activities so that we can contribute to the economic growth of the nation as well as our own growth. In addition, when expanding into developing countries, it is desirable to promote activities so as to contribute to the economic growth of the local country as well as to increase sales and profits of the company.
8.1 Draft Course of Action
・"We will actively engage in economic activities so that we can contribute to the economic growth of the entire country as well as our own growth. In addition, if we expand into developing countries, we will be able to contribute to the economic growth of the local country as well as increase our company's sales and profits."
8.2 Achieve higher levels of economic productivity through diversification, technological upgrading and innovation, including through a focus on high-value added and labour-intensive sectors
Apparently, the United Nations believes that the way forward for humanity is to achieve higher levels of productivity in the economy through diversification, technological advancement and innovation, including a focus on high-value added and labour-intensive sectors.
At first glance, this is not wrong, and if there is actually diversification, technological improvement, or technological innovation, productivity may increase, so it is not bad to some extent to go in that direction.
However, if you are a business owner, you must not forget that you are a merchant. We are merchants, and we must not pursue economic productivity, high added value, or labor intensity to the extent that we deviate from the basics of being a merchant.
As a company, on the premise that we will thoroughly implement the basics as a merchant, we will improve added value for the purpose of realizing high productivity, improve and reform labor-intensive and capital-intensive sectors, It will also be important to diversify our products and services.
8.2 Draft Course of Action
・With the major premise of thoroughgoing the basics as a merchant, efforts to improve added value for the purpose of realizing high productivity, improvement and reform of labor-intensive or capital-intensive sectors, We will continue to diversify our products and services.”
8.3 Promote development-oriented policies that support productive activities, decent job creation, entrepreneurship, creativity and innovation, and encourage the formalization and growth of micro-, small- and medium-sized enterprises, including through access to financial services
This can be considered a target for administrative policy. Development-oriented policies should be promoted, supporting productive activities and decent work creation, entrepreneurship, creativity and innovation, and providing financial support to promote entrepreneurship and the growth of SMEs. It is necessary to implement policies to make services easier to use.
From a company's point of view, I don't want the government to interfere too much. If the government creates a subsidy system with strange restrictions, the activities of companies that receive subsidies will be restricted by those restrictions.
As a company, it will continue to be important for us to flexibly respond to the changes of the times, while keeping in mind the basics of being a merchant, and to grow while keeping an eye on trends in development and innovation.
8.3 Draft Course of Action
・"We will flexibly respond to the changes of the times by thoroughly implementing the basics as a merchant, and aim for growth while keeping an eye on trends in development and innovation."
8.4 Improve progressively, through 2030, global resource efficiency in consumption and production and endeavour to decouple economic growth from environmental degradation, in accordance with the 10-Year Framework of Programmes on Sustainable Consumption and Production, with developed countries taking the lead
This is a somewhat elusive target. Since it says, "We will try to separate economic growth from environmental deterioration," does that mean that we should make such "efforts"? Is it possible to attempt to separate economic growth from environmental degradation? Even if technological innovation can temporarily stop the deterioration of the environment, the two cannot be separated completely.
It may be possible to temporarily reduce environmental degradation through gradual improvements in resource efficiency, improvements in the efficiency of nitrogen use in developed countries such as agriculture, and efforts to conserve water and electricity. However, this does not separate economic growth from environmental degradation. This is because technological improvements are not infinite.
Regarding this target, it seems that more and more companies are just making a pose and appealing that they are making such "efforts". Companies must aim to grow. At least we have to try to survive. And yet, you can't rush towards a high-risk goal.
This does not mean that companies should ignore this target. While conducting corporate activities, there is a possibility that eccentric environmental activists outside the company will suddenly attack the company, saying that they are not making any effort. Depending on the situation, the Internet may ignite and boycott campaigns may become lively, and management may become difficult due to the influence. Rather than actually making the right efforts, it is becoming an important issue for companies to be careful not to be attacked by environmental groups.
As a company, it is important to actively introduce new technologies and improve resource efficiency, while prioritizing growth and survival. You will also be required to pay attention to public relations and work to improve your company's reputation.
8.4 Draft Course of Action
・"With growth and survival as our priorities, we will actively introduce new technologies and improve resource efficiency. We will also pay attention to public relations activities and strive to improve our corporate reputation."
8.5 By 2030, achieve full and productive employment and decent work for all women and men, including for young people and persons with disabilities, and equal pay for work of equal value
Young people are the future leaders of society. If they are unemployed, or if they have no hope of finding a job, the future of society will be bleak. It is important not only to improve the unemployment rate of young people, but also to enable them to find decent work in order to brighten the future of society. Persons with disabilities are in a vulnerable position in society, where it is difficult to find a decent job. Enabling people with disabilities to get decent work not only protects them in a vulnerable position, but also aims to contribute to the development of society by allowing them to fully demonstrate their abilities. There will be Not to mention equality of work opportunities for men and women.
The goal here is to achieve equal pay for equal work. Companies are required to take measures such as not creating unjust wage disparities based on age, wage disparities for people with disabilities, wage disparities between men and women, and wage disparities between regular and non-regular workers. In Japan, whether or not equal pay for equal work should be applied to foreign trainees may become a big issue in the future.
Companies are required to ensure equal employment opportunities for men, women, young people, and people with disabilities, as well as to ensure that the right people are in the right jobs, decent work, and equal pay for equal work.
8.5 Draft Course of Action
・“We will strive to provide equal employment opportunities for men, women, young people, and people with disabilities, and aim to achieve decent work, the right person in the right place, and equal pay for equal work.”
8.6 By 2020, substantially reduce the proportion of youth not in employment, education or training
We cannot live in a society where young people do not find jobs, do not receive vocational training, and spend their days without hope for the future. In order to brighten the future of society, it is important to create a society where young people can work energetically and hone their abilities.
As a company, it will be important to actively recruit young people when recruiting, and to support them in improving their skills.
8.6 Draft Course of Action
・When recruiting, we will actively recruit young people and support their skills improvement.
8.7 Take immediate and effective measures to eradicate forced labour, end modern slavery and human trafficking and secure the prohibition and elimination of the worst forms of child labour, including recruitment and use of child soldiers, and by 2025 end child labour in all its forms
It talks about child labor, including forced labor, modern slavery and human trafficking, and child soldiers.
In Japan, these are currently regulated by law. However, it is said that illegal labor such as forced prostitution, child prostitution, child pornography, and dangerous or harmful labor by minors continues.
In addition, it is often said that long working hours, chronic unpaid overtime, and refusal to admit taking paid leave are issues that need to be improved.
There are also domestic and foreign articles that criticize the foreign technical intern trainee system as "modern Japanese slavery." The treatment of foreign technical intern trainees will vary depending on the company that accepts them, but the current situation, which is being criticized from overseas, cannot be said to be good.
Companies are required not only not to engage in illegal labor, but also to avoid association with companies and organizations that are suspected of doing illegal labor. At the same time, it is important to strive to improve the working environment so as to eliminate problems such as long working hours, unpaid overtime, and refusal to take paid leave. When accepting foreign technical intern trainees, it is necessary to prepare a sufficient acceptance system and be careful not to become a target of criticism from home and abroad.
8.7 Draft Course of Action
・As a company, we do not allow illegal labor and do not associate with companies or organizations that are thought to be doing illegal labor. In addition, when accepting foreign technical intern trainees, we will fully prepare for their acceptance and strive to improve the living and training environment of the trainees.”
8.8 Protect labour rights and promote safe and secure working environments for all workers, including migrant workers, in particular women migrants, and those in precarious employment
It is about protecting workers' rights and promoting a safe and secure work environment. There is a need to protect the rights of migrant workers, especially female migrant workers and workers in precarious employment, and to promote improvements in their working conditions. Accepting immigrants is an important issue for nations. If the accepted immigrants are unable to find a decent job, they will become unemployed and flood the streets, or they will get involved in illegal work, which will cause a deterioration in public order and social climate.
In recent years, the number of foreign workers in Japan has increased, and the development of a system for accepting them has become an issue.
Here, workers in unstable employment patterns are considered to be non-regular workers, such as part-time workers, dispatched workers, and contract workers. Non-regular workers are in a precarious position and are at constant risk of unemployment. Improving their rights and working environment, and correcting the unfair disparity with regular employees are major issues for stabilizing the lives of the people who make up society.
As a company, we will contribute to the local community through stable employment, support foreign workers and non-regular workers in improving their skills, and prepare a path for them to be promoted to regular employees. We are required to strive to protect rights and improve the working environment.
8.8 Draft Course of Action
・"We will contribute to the local community through stable employment, support the skill improvement of foreign workers and non-regular workers, prepare the path to full-time employment, and protect the rights of all workers. and strive to improve the working environment.”
8.9 By 2030, devise and implement policies to promote sustainable tourism that creates jobs and promotes local culture and products
Promoting tourism leads to regional development and job creation. Tourists use transportation, stay overnight, visit experience-based facilities, and buy souvenirs, etc., and spend money in the area. In some famous tourist spots, the tourism industry has become a major industry that supports the lives of many people.
There are risks in promoting tourism. When epidemics occur, the number of tourists decreases sharply. If you rely too much on tourism, you will take that risk seriously.
In addition, tourists may drop garbage and damage the local environment, such as damaging cultural properties. When tourists bring their own cultures, local cultures and values may be lost.
Sustainable tourism is considered to be tourism that contributes to the stable economic development of the region and supports people's lives while protecting the local environment and culture.
As a company, it is desirable to protect the environment and culture of the area where we operate and to make stable use of tourism resources. It may also be a good idea to participate in activities to protect the environment and culture and develop tourism resources at the overseas destination.
8.9 Draft Course of Action
・"In carrying out our business, we will protect the environment and culture of the area where we operate and make stable use of tourism resources. We will also participate in activities to protect the environment and culture and develop tourism resources in overseas destinations."
8.10 Strengthen the capacity of domestic financial institutions to encourage and expand access to banking, insurance and financial services for all
Here, it is written about strengthening the capacity of domestic financial institutions.
As a company, you can expect that it will be easier to achieve business growth by considering the use of the latest financial services as part of your strategy and incorporating them into your business plan.
8.10 Draft Course of Action
・ "As part of our strategy, we will consider the use of the latest financial services and incorporate them into our business plan."
8.a Increase Aid for Trade support for developing countries, in particular least developed countries, including through the Enhanced Integrated Framework for Trade-Related Technical Assistance to Least Developed Countries
It talks about expanding trade support to developing countries.
As a company, when conducting trade with developing countries, it is important to confirm that the products to be traded do not use illegal labor from developing countries. It may also be a good idea to participate in activities that help improve working conditions in developing countries, which are our trading partners.
8.a Draft Course of Action
・ "When conducting trade with developing countries, confirm that the products to be traded do not use illegal labor from developing countries. We will also participate in activities that support the improvement of working conditions in developing countries, which are our trading partners."
8.b By 2020, develop and operationalize a global strategy for youth employment and implement the Global Jobs Pact of the International Labour Organization
This article is about improving youth employment.
It would be desirable for companies to develop a system for accepting young people when hiring them, and to support their career design.
8.b Draft Course of Action
・"We will prepare a system for accepting young people when hiring them and support their career design."
*Return to About Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and Corporate Action Policy
