The meaning of work is universally accepted for human development. An Organization, as an employer, contributes to fully accepted objectives of society, notably through full employment to improve livelihoods, decent work and job security.

Relations between employers and subordinate workers are regulated through a legal framework that each country has in place. Although they vary from country to country, the tests and criteria for determining whether an employment relationship exists, the fact that the power of the contracting parties is not equal and that workers therefore need additional protection, form the basis of universally accepted labor law.

In the interests of the Organization and of society, the employment relationship assigns rights and imposes obligations on both employers and subordinate workers.

Unfortunately, not all the work is done within a 'traditional' working relationship. Men and women are also carried out as self-employed workers, other services and work, and in these situations the parties have a more equal and commercial relationship, provided that they are considered independent of each other. Commercial and employment relationships are not always distinct and clear and are sometimes wrongly classified, with the result that workers do not always receive the protection and rights they enjoy. It is important that, both for the people who carry out the work and for society in general, the appropriate and legal institutional framework is recognized and applied. Whether the work is carried out by commercial contract or employment contract, all parties must have the right to know their responsibilities and rights. If the conditions of the contract are not respected, they must also have adequate resources to assist them.

In this context, work is considered to be all that is carried out in order to obtain a certain remuneration, not including activities carried out by volunteers. Organizations should adopt measures and policies to assume their legal responsibility, as well as the duty of protection towards volunteers.

External links:

UNESCO - Right to Work

Ministry of Labour, Solidarity and Social Security of the Portuguese Republic