Advancing a Capability Approach to Work as a Central Dimension of Human Development

Based on Capability Approach, this article proposes a framework centred around work capability which refers to a set of working activities that are feasible for an individual to achieve. In this framework, work capability is a fundamental freedom because work is both a means for survival and an end in itself. However, employees' work capability reduces when they sell labour power for wages. This loss is a deficit in human development but is ignored in the current evaluation of human development. The article suggests adding work capability in measuring human development. In this framework, work capability is operationalized with work opportunity (freedom in getting a job) and work autonomy (freedom in the labour process). The article emphasizes that work capability directly and indirectly contributes to human development. The importance of work capability in shaping human development raises the emergent need for solutions for enhancing people's work capability.