One of the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals is the bringing about of Decent Work and Economic Growth. This SDG stems from the fact that there are still millions of people, particularly in developing countries, that work in undesirable conditions. Exploitative work and even forced labor are still harsh realities millions face even in this day and age.
Aside from tackling exploitation and modern-day slavery, one of the aspects of SDG 8 is the creation and nurturing of fields that provide decent jobs that are rewarding and not exploitative in nature. In parts of the world where exploitative work and harsh jobs are common, SDG 8 seeks to bridge the gap between the living standards of developing countries and their developed counterparts.
Hand in hand with providing decent work opportunities, economic growth is also a main aspect of SDG 8. Growing economies, most prevalent in developing countries, often face a degree of stagnation due to reliance on single industries based on natural resources availability. Although natural resources have always been vital to any economy, a new frontier economy is currently on the rise.