The Right to Work

The process and outcome of development-induced displacement (DID) often interfere with, and in some cases violate, the right to work. These interferences can be caused by joblessness, loss of income, or a decrease in income to which DID often leads. Some of these interferences can be justified if they are necessary to promote public interest and comply with the other conditions of limitations. In addition, states need to put in place the necessary rights-based safeguards to restore and protect the incomes and income-generating activities of displaced persons. This chapter aims to elucidate the recognition and normative content of the right to work, examine how the process and consequences of DID can interfere with and potentially violate this right, and identify the procedural and substantive safeguards that states should implement to prevent such violations.