Achieving Social Justice through Formal Employment
On November 26, 2007, the United Nations’ (UN) General Assembly declared February 20 as World Day of Social Justice. The Declaration focuses on guaranteeing fair outcomes for all through employment, social protection, social dialogue, and fundamental principles and rights. Poverty eradication, gender equality, achieving full employment and support for social integration are some of the reasons why World Day of Social Justice is observed annually.
The COVID-19 pandemic has revealed how vulnerable informal workers are because they often lack any form of social protection or employment-related benefits, and are twice as likely to be poor compared to formal employees. The General Assembly recognizes that most workers enter the informal sector not by choice, but due to lack of opportunities in formal employment.
The informal sector needs to promote and transition to the formal economy where employment-related benefits can be achieved because it is necessary to reduce poverty and inequalities, advance decent work, and to increase productivity and sustainability at the workplace.
It further recognizes that globalization and interdependence are opening new opportunities through trade, investment and capital flows and advancements in technology, including information technology, for the growth, development and improvement of living standards for all.
“Like slavery and apartheid, poverty is not natural. It is man-made and it can be overcome and eradicated by the action of human beings.”
Nelson Mandela
#DEI #DandI #DEIatCTI #SocialJusticeDay #EndPoverty #FightInequality #WorldDayofSocialJustice #WorldDayofSocialJustice2022
