While the changes affecting the world of work have brought significant new opportunities, they have also led to inequality and risks of exclusion, threatening social cohesion, economic growth and human progress. International stakeholders such as the International Labour Organisation have taken on tackling this need for more social justice. The HR services industry fully supports this fight as it aligns with its vision to enable better labour market outcomes for all.
The aspiration for social justice has been on the agenda of the International Labour Organisation (ILO) since 1999. It has gained further importance as changes affecting the world of work led to inequality and risks of exclusion, ultimately threatening social cohesion, economic growth and human progress.
The ILO defines social justice as the intention that “all human beings, irrespective of race, creed or sex, have the right to pursue both their material well-being and their spiritual development in conditions of freedom and dignity, of economic security and equal opportunity”.
In 2023, the ILO set up the Global Coalition for Social Justice, a multi-stakeholder group aiming to improve worldwide collaboration in addressing social justice gaps and advancing the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, the Sustainable Development Goals and the Decent Work Agenda. At its onset, it brought together 19 governments, 14 employers’ and 30 workers’ organizations, 11 international organizations and financial institutions, as well as 10 regional entities, 12 international non-governmental organizations (INGOs), three enterprises and one academic institution. Through knowledge sharing and advocacy, the ILO initiative seeks to reduce global inequalities, alleviate poverty and meet essential needs, through the promotion of international labour standards and social dialogue.
One Shared Vision: Better Labour Markets for All.
The HR services industry fully supports the call for more social justice initiative as it aligns with its vision to enable better labour market outcomes for all.
The ILO identifies four critical dimensions in pursuing social justice: fundamental principles and rights at work, full and freely chosen employment, social and labour protection, and social dialogue and tripartism. The HR services industry plays a crucial role in advancing social justice in each of those dimensions, as demonstrated in a strategic issue paper produced by the World Employment Confederation (WEC). To further fight inequalities in the world of work, the World Employment Confederation has been amongst the first 100 partners to join the Global Coalition for Social Justice.
