World Day of Social Justice - What is World Day of Social Justice?

Table of Contents

The World Day of Social Justice (alternatively referred to as Social Justice Equality Day) is an international day that recognises the critical role of fostering social justice by tackling poverty, marginalisation, gender inequality, unemployment, human rights, and social protections. Numerous organisations, including the United Nations, the American Library Association (ALA), and the International Labour Organization (ILO), have issued statements emphasising the crucial significance of social justice. Numerous organisations also define ways to increase social justice via eradicating poverty, social and economic marginalisation, and unemployment.

The United Nations General Assembly designated February 20 as World Day of Social Justice on November 26, 2007, effective in 2009.

On June 10, 2008, the International Labour Organization unanimously endorsed the ILO Declaration on Social Justice for a Fair Globalization. This is the International Labour Conference’s third major declaration of principles and policy since the ILO’s 1919 Constitution. It is a continuation of the 1944 Philadelphia Declaration and the 1998 Declaration on Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work. The 2008 Declaration articulates the ILO’s mission in the current age of globalisation.

The digital economy is reshaping the workplace. The rise of broadband connection, cloud computing, and data over the last decade has resulted in the proliferation of digital platforms that have permeated several sectors of the economy and society. Since early 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic’s ramifications have resulted in the establishment of remote work arrangements and the continuance of several commercial businesses, supporting the digital economy’s expansion. Additionally, the crisis exposed and exacerbated the growing digital divide within, between, and across developed and developing countries. Particularly in terms of access to, affordability, and use of information and communication technologies (ICTs) and internet access.

While digital labour platforms enable employees to earn money and enjoy flexible work schedules, they also create significant impediments for women, people with disabilities, youth, and migrant workers. These include the right to secure employment and an appropriate level of life, the right to decent working conditions, social protection, a sufficient standard of living, and the right to organise and join trade unions.

Algorithmic surveillance methods, which are often used in conjunction with traditional workplace monitoring, are growing in popularity. The COVID-19 epidemic highlights the hazards and disparities faced by employees on location-based platforms. The difficulties for existing firms include unfair competition from platforms, some of which are exempt from conventional taxes and regulatory constraints due to their creative nature, including their staff. Another impediment for conventional organisations is the financial investment necessary to adapt to digital changes, which is particularly difficult for small and medium-sized firms, as well as the global south’s lack of dependable internet infrastructure.

Conclusion

This commemoration promotes the world community’s efforts to achieve sustainable development, poverty eradication, universal social security, gender equality, and universal access to social well-being and justice. As a result, it seeks to stimulate conversation among member states, relevant United Nations agencies, and other stakeholders about the steps necessary to close the digital gap, create decent jobs, and safeguard labour and human rights in the current era of digital technology. Learn more about Ketto’s fundraiser for social justice.