Revisiting the concept of ‘decent work’ for agriculture

While the topic of work in agriculture is gaining more interest from researchers, reflected in increasing scholarly
publications, there has been little engagement with the ILO concept of decent work (DW). Yet DW has gained
increased prominence due to its inclusion in the UN SDGs, attracting media attention and political discussion,
and influencing current and new policies. Moreover, agriculture is a highly hazardous industry which, in many
countries, is currently facing different changes and challenges, such as new technologies, climate or market
changes, with relevant consequences for the agricultural workforce. Against this backdrop, it is timely to revisit
the DW concept with regard to agriculture.
This paper follows from the second International Symposium of Work in Agriculture (ISWA), held in 2021, and
aims to scrutinise the usefulness of the ILO’s DW concept for research, policy and practice on work in agriculture.
We do this based on our discussions during and after the ISWA, our expertise in the field and a review of key
literature on decent work. The evidence collected indicates that the current formulation of the DW concept is
inadequate to ensure decent work for all in the agriculture sector. We recommend expanding the DW concept
with a more robust theoretical foundation, encompassing all categories of workers, incorporating the subjective
dimension of agricultural work, and considering geographic scale more extensively to enhance DW’s relevance
for research, policy, and practice.

Revisiting the concept of ‘decent work’ for agriculture
Sandra Contzen, Michael Santhanam-Martin, Marion Beecher, Nathalie Hostiou, Ruth Nettle
In Press, Corrected Proof,