Tatsat Chronicle Magazine

Formal Employment Important for Social Justice: UN

On World Day of Social Justice 2022, ILO DG Guy Ryder, says international community must not miss to shape a recovery from COVID-19 that delivers social justice for people
February 20, 2022

Observed every year on February 20, the World Day of Social Justice acknowledges the need to promote social justice, including issues of poverty, gender inequality, unemployment and human rights. The theme for World Justice Day 2022 is ‘Achieving Social Justice through Formal Employment.’

On the occasion of World Day of Social Justice 2022, ILO Director-General, Guy Ryder, says international community has a rare chance that must not be missed to shape a recovery from COVID-19 that delivers social justice for people and protects the planet we all depend on.

The United Nations says, more than 60 per cent of the world’s employed population, that is 2 billion women, men and youth, earn their livelihoods in the informal economy. The COVID-19 pandemic has put a spotlight on the vulnerability of workers in the informal economy.

Informal workers often lack any form of social protection and are twice as likely to be poor compared to formal workers. Most enter the informal economy not by choice, but due to lack of opportunities. Without concerted action to encourage a transition to formal employment, social justice will not be fulfilled.

World Day of Social Justice

The commemorative event has been held since its first proclamation by the General Assembly in 2007 under the leadership of the Kyrgyz Republic. The commemoration supports efforts by the international community to search for solutions to achieve sustainable development and fulfil many of the aspirations set out in the Secretary-General’s report on Our Common Agenda, including poverty eradication, the promotion of full employment and decent work, universal social protection, gender equality and social justice for all.

The event is organised by the Permanent Mission of the Kyrgyz Republic to the UN, the International Labour Organization (ILO) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).

The International Labour Organization unanimously adopted the ILO Declaration on Social Justice for a Fair Globalization on 10 June 2008. Social justice is an underlying principle for peaceful and prosperous coexistence within and among nations. The day was commenced to encourage countries to find ways through which we can achieve poverty eradication, promote full employment and decent work, ensure gender equality and access to social well-being and justice for all.