Enhancing Sustainable Development Goals through the Provision of Decent Work to Minimize Inequality: A Comparative Study of Bangladesh and Indonesia

Abstract

Globalization has helped countries to accelerate its growth and reduce poverty rate, particularly Bangladesh and Indonesia. Both countries started to reduce trade barrier and open up to globalization in around 1980s to 1990s and has enjoyed impressive growth since then. However, this impressive growth does not come without risks. Globalization has forced labors to meet the production target while neglecting safety measure, causing high work-related accidents in both countries. Statistics show an increase in the number of work-related accident year by year in both countries. In addition to the labor welfare condition, studies also show how actually even with decrease of global poverty rate, globalization increases inequalities. This paper analyzes globalization effect to labor welfare and inequality in Bangladesh and Indonesia by using comparative study approach. This paper also aims to provide solutions in minimizing inequality and enhancing labor welfare through the provision of decent work in accordance to Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).