SDG 8 Decent Work and Economic Growth

This chapter focuses on the Sustainable Development Goal 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth. The theoretical framework from Evolutionary Economics is reviewed and used to facilitate the understanding of developing countries’ economic aspects. The relations to sustainable development actions are addressed through case studies centered on fair trade initiatives – a market solution that links developed and developing economies through production and trade relations based on good market practices. In a model that seeks to address inequalities generated by conventional trade, the fair trade standard assures stable prices and income together with decent work conditions for small producers from developing economies. The methodological approach of this qualitative study was a literature review associated with a comparative analysis of case studies published about fair trade certified small-scale producers. Small rice farmers from Thailand and small quinoa farmers from Bolivia are presented to illustrate the potential to produce social benefits within a sustainable development framework proposed by the fair trade model. Drawing from both case studies, the chapter ends with recommendations for multilateral trade agreements and policies design regarding agriculture development.