A Think Piece on the ILO contribution to SDG 8 in the time of COVID-19 by ECOPER was published by the former organization.
The COVID-19 pandemic presents a multitude of challenges for achievement of Sustainable Development Goal 8 on inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all. In this context, the ILO’s Evaluation Office (EVAL) recent SDG 8 synthesis review looked to identify project features that favour alignment and positive contributions to the SDGs and related goals. It also considered how the projects were in some cases adapted to the conditions created by the pandemic in order to mitigate its socioeconomic impact. The review came ahead of the UN’s 2021 High Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development (HLPF), where the central theme was sustainable and resilient recovery from the pandemic. At the forum, the negative impact of the health crisis on livelihoods and safe and secure working environments, and the increased levels of vulnerability to abusive labour practices, including child labour and forced labour, were highlighted. The need to continue working towards goals such as creating decent work, protecting labour rights and supporting entrepreneurship was emphasized.
This think piece, presents the main findings of the review and offers additional analysis. In particular, it compares projects that were assessed as being highly aligned to the SDGs, and therefore featured in the synthesis review report, with those that had low levels of alignment. The piece is structured as follows.