Phenomenological Insights on Decent Work and Its Relevance to Local Economic Development

The concept of decent work has few explanatory references and comparative descriptions due to limited research. So far, the concept of decent work only refers to standards and concepts issued by the International Labor Organization (ILO). Meanwhile, the Local Economic Development (LED) approach is an alternative strategy that prioritizes local aspects and resources for effective development. The research method chosen in this research is the phenomenological method. The phenomenological method explores human experiences (people’s lived experiences). This is in line with the concept of decent work and local economic development, which is highly influenced by the opinions and narratives described by the community, in this case, the research participants. This research explains the concept of decent work and local economic development based on the conditions of Banjarmasin City. It generated five explanatory clusters in this research. Cluster of general perspectives and specific perspectives related to the concept of decent work. The general perspective is that decent work should meet minimum standards and protect workers’ rights. While a specific perspective emphasizes subjectivity in viewing various decent work concepts. The other three clusters were formed from the exploration of the concept of local economic development, such as the challenge cluster, the opportunity cluster, and the relationship cluster between the concept of local economic development and decent work. These three clusters emphasize that the development concept requires comprehensive planning. Development faces challenges, such as insufficient government support, uncooperative communities, and disinterest among local people, but there are opportunities to boost local economies and improve work decency and conditions.


INTRODUCTION
Competition According to a survey conducted by the Regional Development Planning Agency of South Kalimantan or Badan Perencanaan Pembangunan Daerah Kalimantan Selatan (Bappeda Kalsel), the most concerning issue for the people of South Kalimantan is the issue of decent employment.This issue is also part of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) with the target of creating decent jobs for all layers of society.
The survey results align with the report from the International Labour Organization (ILO) in 2020, which explains that efforts to create decent jobs are still hindered by factors such as the limited impact of employment on the quality of life, skills mismatch, and the lack of social security for most workers and vulnerable groups (Amiruddin, 2012).
As of August 2022, the Unemployment Rate or Tingkat Pengangguran Terbuka (TPT) in Indonesia is 5.86 percent, a decrease of 0.63 percentage points from the previous year.
Meanwhile, in South Kalimantan Province, the TPT decreased by 0.21 percentage points to 4.74 percent in August 2022 (BPS, 2022).
However, this decrease in TPT does not reflect the quality of employment held and carried out by the people, thus the issue of decent employment needs further analysis (Gammarano, 2018).
The concept of decent work has been described by the International Labour Organization (ILO) (Anker et al., 2003;Ghai, 2003).There are at least four key points in the concept of decent work, which include employment, social protection, workers' rights, and social dialogue (Ghai, 2003).The employment aspect includes the level of labor force participation, the wages received, and safety and comfort in the workplace (Novianto, 2017;Suharto et al., 2016).Social protection encompasses protection against possible adverse events in the future, such as job loss, illness, and old age.Workers' rights involve the right to fair and nondiscriminatory treatment and the freedom to form unions (Mihradi & Siregar, 2017).Lastly, social dialogue includes opportunities for negotiation between employers and workers and participation in decision-making at both the company and national levels.Based on these four foundational points, it can be understood that decent work is not just a concept but an objective that all stakeholders must achieve through various programs and policies (Fields, 2003;Ghai et al., 2006;Piasna et al., 2020).Meanwhile, the local or local context is essential in integrating the understanding of decent work with planned policies or interventions (Gibb & Ishaq, 2020;Hasle & Vang, 2021).
Then, Local Economic Development (LED), is considered an alternative development approach that can consider and involve the local context.LED is also a response to the failures of traditional development approaches such as top-down development (Rodríguez-Pose & Palavicini-Corona, 2013).Without involving local actors, local resources' potential and all activities in an area cannot be completely optimized, and development approaches and coordination, both vertically and horizontally, will not work well (Pike et al., 2016).In general, LED can be understood as a comprehensive strategy that involves various aspects of the economy, physical, social, cultural, and institutional characteristics of an area (Pike et al., 2007).LED focuses on local development with the aim of promoting local economic improvement, local capacity, local opportunities (employment), and optimizing local resources (Azunu & Mensah, 2019;Pike et al., 2016).
The relationship between the concept of decent work and LED is very close and has overlapping features.As previously explained, the concept of decent work pays close attention to the conditions and opinions of workers as the primary beneficiaries of decent work.Even the report "Decent Work Country Program (DWCP) for Indonesia 2020-2025" emphasizes and prioritizes effective social dialogue with workers (ILO, 2020).This dialogue also explains that the local context and geographical location, where the work is carried out, as significant considerations.Each country and region require different dialogues and discussions because they face different challenges (ILO, 2020).LED, as one of the development approaches and strategies, can facilitate the implementation of various initiatives and activities and involve all local elements in an area (Arif et al., 2016;Canzanelli, 2001;Saputri et al., 2021).The bottom-up approach that forms the basis of LED requires development to start from the bottom, in this case, the local level (Azunu & Mensah, 2019;Pike et al., 2016;Raharjana, 2012).The intersection between the concept of decent work and LED lies in the shared principles and objectives within them.It is hoped that a 'productive environment' can be realized, accelerating the achievement of the planned goal, which is decent work (Canzanelli, 2001).
There is still room to further explore the concept of decent work beyond the agreed-upon definitions and standards to date (Sehnbruch et al., 2015).Question like 'promote decent work for whom?' is simple yet fundamental question that can be used as a starting point for this exploration (Fields, 2003).The Indonesia DWCP report cannot stand alone as it would not be sufficient to represent the aspirations of all stakeholders subjectively or objectively (Massoudi et al., 2018).The creation of decent work should also be directed towards those who genuinely need it, so resources are not allocated to those who 'can still help themselves' (Fields, 2003).In this way, decent work is created and distributed fairly among the entire population.Furthermore, it is challenging to reach a universal agreement on the concept of work because people (workers) have diverse objectives (Sehnbruch et al., 2015).
Moreover, there are few connections made between the concept of decent work and the LED approach.Although these two have implicit similarities in features and principles, the development approach is minimally influenced by the concept of decent work.Sehnbruch et al. (2015) illustrate that the concept of decent work is merely rhetoric with a weak theoretical foundation and is centered around concepts produced by the ILO.Various independent research studies are needed to serve as a comparison to the concepts and references produced by the ILO.This way, the concept of decent work can be considered in public debates and development agendas (Sehnbruch et al., 2015).(Canzanelli, 2001;Fields, 2003;Finlay, 2014;Leal Filho et al., 2021).

Decent Work
As is known, the concept of decent work was first introduced by the International Labour Organization (ILO), aiming to create fair opportunities for both men and women while considering freedom, justice, security, and workers' rights (Ghai et al., 2006).
Building on this concept and idea, various responses and criticisms emerged regarding the concept of decent work.According to Ghai et al. (2006), the concept of decent work is seen as a concept that can immediately spark discussions about various issues, from workplace conditions and worker's aspirations to the nature of the work itself.et al., 2006).This classification aims to demonstrate that each country or region has different socio-economic features, requiring different interventions to achieve the universal aspiration of creating decent work for its people (Ghai et al., 2006).
As the concept and development agenda has evolved, the concept of decent work has gained more attention.Piasna et al. (2020) explain that the concept of decent work does not have a single easily definable measure, unlike, for example, the Human Development Index (HDI), which provides a clear and easily understood measure of human development (Sehnbruch et al., 2015).In other words, decent work does not have a clear definition and is often interchangeable with phrases like 'decent job' or 'good work' (Piasna et al., 2020).This has led to the perception that the concept of decent work is a 'roofless' idea, lacking a clear definition or measure, with factors and social and economic contexts in specific regions shaping and influencing the concept of decent work (Piasna et al., 2020).
Nevertheless, the concept of decent work is now being reconsidered and is one of the targets and objectives within the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).Decent work is defined with development policies that should promote more productive activities, create fair job opportunities with adequate wages, foster creativity and innovation, and provide protection and rights that workers should be guaranteed (Kreinin & Aigner, 2022).
In policy formulation, the concept of decent work can be utilized and implemented through three narratives: (1) The need for employment as a primary condition for obtaining decent work; (2) Respecting labor standards as a way to honor workers' rights and eliminate discrimination in the workplace.Without respect for these standards, a job cannot be considered decent; (3) Improving the quality of work, which is related to the quality of wages received.Decent work will enhance an individual's quality of life and standard of living through fair wage payments (Fields, 2003).The concept of decent work can also be interpreted differently according to the needs of each individual (Nizami & Prasad, 2017).For children, decent work is going to school, not working.For adults, decent work is a job that provides good wage.For the unemployed, decent work can be interpreted as finding a job.For the elderly, decent work is a job that provides retirement security in old age.In the end, the concept of decent work is an agenda and objective aimed at providing broad and fair job opportunities that fulfill all workers' rights and applicable standards (Nizami & Prasad, 2017).

Local Economic Development (LED)
The adoption of the Local Economic Development (LED) approach emerged amid the ongoing globalization felt by all countries today (Leigh & Blakely, 2016;Pike et al., 2016).
Local potential can be optimized and turned into a strength to compete in the current global economy's tough environment (Rogerson & Rogerson, 2010).In other words, local needs and aspirations can be fulfilled by the resources available within the region, without having to seek resources from the global world (Pike et al., 2016).Various features and definitions have attempted to explain this LED approach.The LED approach is closely related to local aspects and local stakeholders (government, nongovernmental organizations, communities), emphasizing the importance of participation and cooperation, bounded by a specific region, and certainly as one of the tools and strategies in the development agenda (Dewi, 2013).In general, LED can be understood as a comprehensive strategy involving various aspects, from economic, physical, social, cultural, to institutional character aspects in a particular area (Pike et al., 2007).LED focuses on local development, aiming to promote local economic growth, local capacity, local job opportunities, and optimize local resources (Azunu & Mensah, 2019;Pike et al., 2016).
In the planning and practice of LED, a variety of disciplines such as economics, geography, sociology, and even politics are required.This indicates that the LED approach continues to evolve and develop (Leigh & Blakely, 2016).Then, these researchers explain the reformulation of the components of the LED approach itself.Collaboration is essential to optimize the community resources in that area.These four LED components with new meanings must be implemented so that local potential (all resources) can be optimized, a solid foundation is built, and a sustainable local economic development is created (Leigh & Blakely, 2016).

Development
The LED approach is a vehicle that can engage and connect various stakeholders in a region to create decent jobs (Canzanelli, 2001).The principles and values presented in the LED approach also overlap with those explained by the concept of decent work.
In LED, local stakeholders determine the direction of the strategy to be used, and their opinions are highly considered (Haryanto, 2013;Pike et al., 2016;Widyastuty & Dwiarta, 2021).While the concept of decent work emphasizes the importance of social dialogue because, fundamentally, there are at least three parties involved in labor issues (government, companies, and workers) (ILO, 2020).In line with this, the allocation of local resources, the creation of local job opportunities, and poverty alleviation are objectives of the LED approach (Mensah et al., 2019;Pike et al., 2016).
The LED approach is also an alternative bottom-up approach that addresses the failure of unsustainable top-down approaches (Nel & Rogerson, 2016).Pike et al. (2016)  possible.This aims to optimize the 'benefits and advantages' that may be obtained by all local stakeholders (Rogerson & Rogerson, 2010).

Methodology
This research is a qualitative study using the phenomenological research method.
Phenomenology starts with people's lived experience of a concept or phenomenon and takes these experiences as the starting point for investigation, exploration, and interpretation (Creswell & Poth, 2016;Griffin & May, 2012).The results of this phenomenological study will be integrated with prior knowledge or assumptions as new findings (Robson & McCartan, 2016).Furthermore it continues with the identification of the concept or idea to be explored, in this case, the concepts of decent work and the LED approach.Then, this concept is questioned and explored together with relevant parties and stakeholders, such as government, employers, and workers.
Subsequently, discussions are held with these parties to align their perceptions regarding the concepts to be discussed (Creswell & Poth, 2016).and (4) Integrating.These phases are rooted in and drawn from relevant studies that utilize a phenomenological approach (Finlay, 2014;Larsen & Adu, 2021;Priest, 2002;Starks & Brown Trinidad, 2007;Tuffour, 2017).The terminology used for each phase is selected to clarify the framework and process within the context of this study.
In the initiating phase, the scope of this research is defined.This research aims to explore and develop the concept understood (Creswell & Poth, 2016).
It is followed by the interpreting phase.
In this phase, the data is analyzed through varied methods, such as analyzing the main (significant) statements from the interviews, analyzing the overall interpretation of the results and narratives obtained, or classifying the interview results into several key concepts and themes (Creswell & Poth, 2016).
According to Yin (2014), the analysis involves categorization, tabulation, and combining evidence to test initial study propositions.
Figure 1 illustrates the framework and process of analysis using a phenomenological approach in this research.Each phase consists of primary activities to be implemented.

Figure 1. Phases and Primary Activities in a Phenomenological Study
Source: Adapted and developed from multiple sources, including Creswell & Poth (2016), Finlay (2014), Larsen & Adu (2021), Priest (2002), Starks & Brown Trinidad (2007), Tuffour (2017) Initiating Table 1 and 2 present main or significant statements that reflect the initial responses and general perceptions of respondents when they are asked about the concept of decent work and local economic development.
These statements highlight their personal perspectives and knowledge, while also suggesting their aspirations related to these concepts.
Significant statements describing the concept of decent work.

Minimum wage standards
Wage  4. Decent work should meet minimum wage standards, consider job risks and the mental health of workers, and provide health or social security.
5. Educational background, skills, expertise, and experience influence the decency of a work.
6.The decency of a work cannot be determined solely by the distinction between formal and informal employment.
7. Wage determination in the formal and informal sectors differs.In the formal sector, wages are matched to the position, while in the informal sector, wages are determined by factors such as the type of work, skills, and agreements.
8.An individual's mindset influences the perceived decency of a work.

Table 3
Table 3 and 4 outline the formulated meanings of significant statements, merging interrelated significant statements to improve their meaning.These generated sentences provide the basis for the next step of the analysis.
Next, the statements were classified into several clusters that unite the meanings and intentions of the respondents' statements.
From the varied statements related to the concept of decent work, two clusters were identified: the general perspective cluster and the specific perspective cluster.
Meanwhile, from the statements related to the concept of local economic development,

Formulated meanings of significant statements describing the concept of local economic development.
1. Building industries in urban areas.
2. Considering the characteristics and identity of a region, such as local crafts, distinctive buildings or houses, and local-based tourism.
3. Challenges in continuing development due to legal aspects and land acquisition issues.
4. The local economic ecosystem has not fully formed.
5. The need for understanding and educating the community to foster good cooperation among all stakeholders.
6.The community's behavior is less supportive and cooperative than expected toward the local economic development.
7. Optimizing the potential of natural resources.
8. Having the freedom to be creative and innovative and fostering new entrepreneurs.9.All stakeholders must be dedicated and committed to their respective roles and be drivers of development.
10. Supporting Indonesia in becoming a developed nation.
11. Nurturing the informal sector and ensuring that the formal sector complies with applicable standards.
12. Successfully implementing regional development plans.

Table 4
Cluster of general and specific perspectives on the concept of decent work.

General perspectives
1. Decent work is a job that meets basic living needs, complies with minimum wage and security standards, considers job risks and workers' mental health.
2. Decent work is a job that matches individual's educational background, skills, expertise, and experience.
3. Decent work is not determined by the sector, whether it is formal or informal.Labour Organization (ILO) (Rantanen et al., 2020).While this definition is useful, it has not yet had a full impact.This low or  et al., 2012;Mulyana, 2012).
The narratives and statements from these clusters are useful in ensuring that local economic development meets its intended goals and fulfills society's needs.
Local economic development is a useless tool unless it incorporates efficient and inclusive planning, along with a comprehensive understanding of an area and its conditions (Abrahams, 2003).In other words, the framework conditions will be developed and refined based on the actual dynamics and activities within the area (Rogerson, 2014).
The In line with the statement above, local economic development requires comprehensive planning involving all stakeholders to ensure its sustainability (Canzanelli, 2001;Leigh & Blakely, 2016).
With better planning, issues like waste and parking can be prevented and controlled.
Further, the opportunity cluster provides  (Canzanelli, 2001;Sachs, 2004;Suharto et al., 2014).Commitment at all levels of government, from bottom to top, is required to ensure the sustainability of This research aims to generate phenomenological insights regarding decent work and local economic development, including raising awareness about the issues and challenges within.These additional insights provide a useful comparative discourse and knowledge base for effective policy formulation.Both decent work and local economic development are important phenomena for people.A comprehensive understanding of both complex phenomena can create equal and decent opportunities, improve people's quality of life, and ensure that development agendas or policies are implemented efficiently and effectively

Furthermore
, this concept can serve as a framework to optimize policy choices by considering different factors.For example, it can analyze whether there is a conflict between the quality and quantity of jobs or whether remuneration and productivity will increase after engaging in a dialogue with workers.Further, the concept of decent work has faced criticism regarding its universality for application in different places and conditions.This has led to the classification of countries into three models: 1) Classical model; 2) Transition model; 3) Development model.The classical model is used when the majority of a country or region's population (about 75-90 percent) receives fixed wages and works in the formal sector.In the transition model, a lower percentage of the population works in the formal sector, approximately 70-90 percent.In the development model, the majority of the population in that country or region works in the informal sector or as self-employed individuals.The percentage of the population engaged in agriculture is also quite significant in this development model, ranging from 20-70 percent (Ghai These component names are not unfamiliar in LED, but they are explained with different interpretations and concepts.First, regarding locality.Locality no longer interprets physical location where it must be close to markets or natural resources, and similar factors.Technology facilitates companies or individuals and frees them to move from one location to another.For example, moving to an area with a lower cost of living.Therefore, factors like a comfortable environment and a good social network become the main attraction of a location.Second, regarding business and the economic base.In the era of the new economy, local governments must be able to facilitate various companies to collaborate, creating a competitive industrial cluster.Third, regarding the workforce.Mindsets like low wages creating more jobs must be eliminated.Local development must increase the value added to its area and the workers within.Therefore, the high quality companies come to the area because the workforce they need can be met.Fourth, regarding community resources.The government, along with various organizations and groups in an area, has different interests and goals. illustrate that all LED initiatives and resources must originate from the bottom (local), creating good vertical cooperation at the government level and good horizontal cooperation between the public and private sectors.Each area has different features, potentials, and problems, thus strategies agreed upon and initiated from the bottom (local) tend to be more successfully implemented (Leigh & Blakely, 2016).Local stakeholders or actors have better abilities and experiences to assess and observe the conditions in their respective areas.Building on this understanding, the LED approach can be more effectively implemented with the understanding of the concept of decent work as described by local actors.The biggest challenge for LED practitioners is to involve local actors and utilize local potential and resources to the fullest or as effectively as and discourse regarding decent work and local economic development from the lived experiences of relevant stakeholders.These lived experiences provide additional perspectives on the concept of decent work and local economic development, broadening its meaning, revealing its various dimensions, and generating further understanding of the experiences and impacts related to the concept.While referencing existing and related studies, a phenomenological approach requires that researchers begin by 'bracketing' or suspending their preconceived notions and biases about the phenomenon under exploration.Both decent work and local economic development can be considered phenomena as they are related to people's livelihoods, are important matters in people's lives, and have multipleinterpretations(Finlay, 2014;Priest, 2002;Starks & Brown Trinidad, 2007).The research questions and questionnaire are also developed in this initiating phase.Next is the collecting phase.This phase begins by purposeful sampling, meaning to carefully select relevant respondents or stakeholders that understand this topic or scope of research and directly experience it.There are several stakeholders involved, including government, employer, employee or worker, and academic or scholar.The data collection process is carried out through interviews with the permission of relevant institutions and parties.The evidence sources obtained include interview recordings and transcripts.The primary data source in this research is individuals commonly referred to as research participants.To increase the number of research participants, the snowball sampling technique is used to add informants based on recommendations from participants orinformants interviewed previously(Creswell & Poth, 2016;Groenewald, 2004).From the government perspective, interview is conducted with the Department of Labor and Transmigration or Dinas Tenaga Kerja dan Transmigrasi (Disnakertrans) and the Regional Development Planning Agency or Badan Perencanaan Pembangunan Daerah (Bappeda).From the employers' perspective, interviews are conducted with traders or entrepreneurs.Meanwhile, from the workers' perspective, interview is conducted with the Workers Union or Serikat Pekerja Seluruh Indonesia (SPSI) in Banjarmasin.The snowball sampling technique eventually led to interview with the Wage Council of Banjarmasin City or Dewan Pengupahan Kota Banjarmasin (Depeko), member of the Regional People's Representative Council of Banjarmasin City or Dewan Perwakilan Rakyat Daerah (DPRD) Kota Banjarmasin, and scholar or academic.These parties and individuals have aspirations and the capability to plan and evaluate the concepts of decent work and local economic development.Thus, from the various interview results, perspectives and conclusions regarding the concepts of decent work and local economic development can be explored and is conducted by presenting corroborating evidence and comparing the substance of interview transcripts, to strengthen the validity of the collected data.Corroborating evidence includes research and references related to the research topic.Triangulation acts as a filter for disconfirming evidence or evidence that deviates.The discussion of this research also indirectly validates the analyzed data because it provides relevant explanations related to the research topic.This data validation is further employed in the last phase, while all findings are synthesized into a comprehensive picture.The last is the integrating phase.Through various interviews conducted, the phenomenological analysis identifies commonalities and similarities in various perspectives and opinions.The results of these interviews are transcribed and then read repeatedly to identify themes and key points related to the concepts of decent work and local economic development.The overall processing and interpretation of each interview transcript consists of several steps: listing the main points, reducing unchanged points, creating comprehensive descriptions, in the interviews aimed to explore the perspectives of the respondents regarding the concept of decent work and local economic development, as well as the relationship between these two concepts.The answers to these questions resulted in significant statements from the respondents.These significant statements are formulated into various descriptions, as shown in the tables below.
identified: the challenge cluster, the opportunity cluster, and the cluster related to the relationship between the concept of local economic development and decent work.These clusters were formed due to the common meanings and intentions of the respondents' statements.These clusters are explained in the following tables.Through this phenomenological analysis, the concept of decent work and local economic development can be discussed and explored with respondents or relevant stakeholders.The responses and statements obtained from these respondents are not only based on their knowledge but also on their everyday experiences.Stakeholders serve various roles in evaluating and planning on this topic, some highlight complaints, some offer an academic perspective, and others advocate for better attention to this topic in the future.This phenomenological analysis results in several clusters of responses and statements provided by the respondents.Direct interviews conducted in this analysis maintain the purity of responses and questions, based on the knowledge and personal experiences of the respondents.Simultaneously, this phenomenological method expands the research design on this theme (Blustein et al., 2023).At least five clusters have formed, namely the cluster of general perspectives and specific perspectives on the concept of decent work, the cluster of challenges and opportunities related to local economic development, and the cluster of the relationship between the concept of local economic development and decent work.These clusters and their descriptions can be considered to provide an explanation that corresponds to the majority of references or articles on the concept of decent work and local economic development, and validate its relevance in the field.This also elaborates and provides examples of the understanding and explanation of these two concepts.quo) of research and existing definition, enriching the research agenda and advancing the discourse (Garcia Lozano et al., 2022; Haiming & Yan, 2020).While local economic development strategies are expected to cover broader issues and should be generated or written more with the involvement of the community's members and their aspirations (McLean et al., 2018; Zhang et al., 2017).This research also considers the significance of community presence in providing diverse suggestions and insights for creating effective strategies.The five clusters and their descriptions will be discussed sequentially below, and also explained by quoting some direct statements from the respondents.The cluster of general perspectives and specific perspectives explains and illustrates the respondents' understanding of decent work concept.The concept's description is indeed quite broad and open to interpretation, but it can be said that the responses and statements from the respondents validate the explanations from relevant references and literature.As Ghai et al. (2006) explain, decent work should meet the standards aspired to by all stakeholders, including fair wages, consideration of work risks, and job security.It can be understood that the basic or general concept and principles of decent work have been defined mainly through the policies or work agenda of the International limited impact is revealed by the emergence of various research that examine the diverse and interrelated variables within the concept.For instance, Pereira et al. (2019) focus on the psychological aspects and diverse dimensions of decent work in relation to achieving common good values that create a fair, sustainable, and humancentered society.As the discourse and research on decent work evolve and become more dynamic, a meaningful consolidation of the concept will occur.This consolidation may lead to outcomes, in terms of definitions, standards, priorities, and policy decisions, that are collectively agreed upon and fully adhered to.Thus, there will be fewer issues or constraints in implementing policies and strategies within, interventions aimed at improving decency and creating decent work are more likely to succeed than by relying solely on government's prescriptions(Ghai et al., 2006;Nizami & Prasad, 2017).All of the perspectives here are highlighted and aligned with some of the respondents' statements:"Decent work is measured by how much income one earns.Decent means they can meet a decent living above the minimum.So, the minimum living needs are already met.I see all forms of work as decent, even informal work can be considered decent as long as it generates income.Garbage can be processed, water hyacinth (eceng gondok) can be woven into products, so it adds value."(Supriatna, personal communication, September 18, 2023) "There are components of a decent living standard that must be affordable and met.The minimum wage increases in line with inflation.In the formal sector, wages are adjusted according to position, while in the informal sector, they are adjusted according to the type of work." is considered decent if it can continue and be self-sustaining.If it cannot continue, it means something needs to stop or to be improved."on the concept of decent work is still consistent with relevant literature.This also means that the description and indicators of the concept of decent work remain valid for use and further development.Furthermore, it provides a comparison between the literature's explanation and the real-life understanding of the concept.In addition, specific perspectives on the concept of decent work are reflected in statements that describe the subjectivity and relativity of this concept.Even the definition of decent work and how it is viewed can vary depending on age and individual circumstances.For example, learning and receiving education are the primary work for children, while for adults, the minimum work standard needs to be met.Unemployed individuals consider having any job as the minimum standard of decent work that they can achieve (Nizami & Prasad, 2017).Next, the cluster related to the concept of local economic development consists of clusters of challenges, opportunities, and the relationship between the concept of local economic development and decent work.In general, the concept of local economic development faces different challenges, presents opportunities for new employment or job opportunities, and is closely related to improving the decency of work (Leigh & Blakely, 2016; Mahadevia et al., 2012).For example, local governments can provide support and create new entrepreneurs, advocate for job decency, and evaluate job standards.However, they also face challenges when it comes to development in limited and expensive land areas (Mahadevia activities and decent work that can ultimately improve the standard of living and quality of life of the people and community.of local knowledge and characteristics.This includes actively involving local people as key actors and supporters in local economic development initiatives (Malizia et al., 2020).The challenges and opportunities identified in this research can serve as a foundation for future studies.It is revealed that local economic development has been primarily hindered by a lack of government commitment, research and analysis, the comparative explanation and additional insights into the concept of decent work and local economic development are generated.The clusters and statements from this research provide an interesting perspective on understanding and narrowing these two concepts.Although these two concepts will continue to be broadly explored, this research and analysis contribute practical considerations to public policy formulation and the conceptualization of future research.Varied insights and aspirations regarding decent work and local economic development lead to different approaches and policy-making outcomes.For instance, it is ineffective to provide and improve decent work by training unenthusiastic youth and unemployed individuals who are unwilling to be helped or who want quick profit or result.They need the right mindset and patience before participating the training or being trained, thus needing varied strategies.While local economic development needs comprehensive and inclusive planning aimed at long-term and sustainable development for everyone, rather than short-term benefits for some stakeholders.In terms of future research, the analysis presented here can guide the focus and context when researching decent work and local economic development, recognizing the relativity and complexity of both concepts.Decent work is not merely defined by material measures; local economic development requires full commitment and comprehensive understanding, not merely well-intentioned approaches.However, this research may contain biases because of subjectivity or personal view of various respondents, which can impact the findings and may not fully reflect the aspirations of the broader population and diverse professions within society.It is also worth emphasizing that the insights and data generated will improve the policy implementation's success rate, as governments and policymakers have involved local aspirations and utilized their resources.Understanding the actual aspirations and conditions of locals can be challenging, potentially leading to mismatches or failures in implementation.The concept of local economic development needs to be continuously developed and refined, while the concept of decent work needs to be consistently observed, as what is considered indecent for one individual may not necessarily be entirely indecent for another.