Everyone deserves to have a good job that is safe and pays them well. Many jobs around the world put workers in danger, do not pay them enough to live comfortably, or do not employ men, women, or people with disabilities equally. Without a job, or one that pays well, people cannot always visit the doctor when they are sick for example. Good, safe, well-paid jobs should be available for everyone — men and women, young people, and people with disabilities.

People in unsafe work environments are at risk of health problems, injuries, and some lose their lives due to poor conditions. If people have a good job in their own community it also helps achieve other Sustainable Development Goals. Things don’t have to be that way. We can promote policies  that encourage entrepreneurship and job creation. If their job pays them well, they can afford nutritious food for their family (SDG2: Zero Hunger), they can afford a home in a safe neighborhood (SDG1: No Poverty, SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities) and buy school supplies for their children to get a good education (SDG4: Quality Education).

An important part of economic growth is that people have jobs that  pay enough to support themselves and their families. The good news  is that the middle class is growing worldwide—almost tripling in size  in developing countries in the last 25 years, to more than a third of the population.

But today, job growth is not keeping pace with the growing  labor force.

We can eradicate  forced labor, slavery and human trafficking. And in the end we can  achieve the goal of decent work for all women and men by 2030.