Contextually-responsive measurement for decent work

Measuring job quality and the impact of decent work has proven notoriously tricky for those supporting small businesses, entrepreneurs, and decent work in developing economies. Issues include the high costs of measurement, barriers to accessing workers, and the need to cover a wide range of topics that can be considered particularly sensitive – from wages to the worst forms of child labor. Rarely will an organization have the resources to cover the full spectrum of topics included in the International Labour Organization’s (ILO) decent work agenda. Instead, the most important and material issues relevant to the local context need to be identified and used to prioritize what to measure.

Drawing on the Aspen Network of Development Entrepreneurs (ANDE)'s recently published measurement guide on decent work, this session will provide an overview of what decent work is, the different dimensions and levels of this concept, and how to prioritize what to measure in a way that is responsive to the local context. We will additionally provide examples and targeted advice for investors and intermediaries that support small businesses and entrepreneurs.