A hand book describing the principle of 'decent work' and its intersection with faith-based values has been made available by the International Labour Organization (ILO).

Convergences: Decent Work and Social Justice in Religious Traditions is the result of a collaborative effort between the ILO, the World Council of Churches (WCC), the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace, and the Islamic Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization.

The handbook explains the commitments of various religious traditions, including Catholicism, Protestantism, Islam, Judaism and Buddhism, showing that spiritual values are essential in the quest for a fair globalization and wherever the subject of work is considered, according to the WCC.

"Human dignity, solidarity and above all the connection between work, social justice and peace put us on common ground," writes Juan Somavia, the ILO's director general, in the book's forward.

"This handbook is a first step. I see much scope for future collaboration to expedite the dawn of a new era of social justice drawing on our shared values," Somavia said.

WCC General Secretary the Rev. Olav Fykse Tveit says that, "As Christians, we believe that work is given to us as a way to steward our talents and time for the common good. In a time when so many do not have work, we need to re-emphacize how work also contributes to justice and peace."

Convergence is available in English, Arabic, French, and Spanish, and can be downloaded on the ILO's website here>