To work under decent working conditions, to have opportunities and wealth, are human rights. Everyone has the right to be treated well at work, to enjoy privileges and to have social benefits. In reality, our societies are far from offering everybody social justice. More than half of the world’s workers lack a proper job contract. Not even fifty percent of the working population is hired full-time or on a permanent basis. More than one in five worker live in poverty; extreme or moderate. Other issues that make our world unjust are stagnant wages and inequalities at work.
World Day of Social Justice 20022020
Today is the World Day of Social Justice 2020, a day during which we want to stress the importance of reducing global inequalities.
Last year, more than 212 million were without work. We need to create at least 600 million new jobs, to keep up with the growth of the population.
Twenty-five years ago, the Copenhagen Declaration, was adopted. UN gathered heads of state and government to “recognize the significance of social development and human well-being for all and to give to these goals the highest priority both now and into the twenty-first century”.
What does social justice really mean?
It is an old term.. According to some, it dates back to the 18th century. In general terms, it means that everyone is entitled to basic benefits in our society. The United Nations defines social justice as “an underlying principle for peaceful and prosperous coexistence within and among nations”.
Working for a more just society means that we, among other things, need to promote and strive for equal rights for all.
Removing barriers
When we have removed barriers of gender, age, race, ethnicity, religion, culture or disability and other issues that people face, we have achieved social justice.
For the United Nations, the pursuit of social justice is said to be “at the core of UN’s global mission to promote development and human dignity”.
UN mentions the adoption of the Declaration on Social Justice for a Fair Globalization as an example of this commitment. The ambition of the Declaration is to focus on guaranteeing fair outcomes for all, through employment, social protection, social dialogue, and fundamental principles and rights at work.