Social justice must be the basis for a changing world of work: Guterres

The two-day meeting was organized by the International Labor Organization (ILO) to present its proposal for the Global Coalition for Social Justice, which aims to reduce and prevent inequalities.

“Our world is at a decisive moment. Today’s policies on climate, on threats to global security, on social cohesion and more, will shape our future and of our children and grandchildren,” he said.

As such, the Summit provides an opportunity “to explore the solutions that will shape that future.” more, equal, sustainable and inclusive“, he added.

‘Seismic change’

Mr. Guterres noted that the job opportunity “changes at combat speed”amid ongoing common challenges, including the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and poverty, hunger, inequality, hatred and discrimination.

Furthermore, climate crisis, conflict and humanitarian emergencies are disrupting education and working lives for hundreds of millions around the world.

The fourth industrial revolution is unfolding against the backdrop of this chaos, he said.

“We cannot predict its consequences – but we do know the patterns of ongoing seismic change: massive exercise; digital transformation; change towards innovation; sustainable production; and the need for quality education, reform and reform,” he added.

Ready now

This change means that Jobs will be lost in some areas and created in otherss, that require different skills, and “we must prepare now, to avoid even greater divisions, injustice and tension.”

Mr. Guterres said that the ILO has been at the forefront of developing a strategy to navigate changes to a sustainable and future of work, and that its “foundation” must be social justice.

Putting people first

He said that the Global Coalition for Social Justice represents an important role to help foster sustainable development and meet current and future challenges.

The initiative “is about rebuilding the social contract through human-centered principles grounded in and guided by justice.”

He emphasized that there must be a social contract women and young people center and encompass equal opportunity for all; access to essential services; life education and training; decent work and social protection.

The Secretary-General referred to the Global Accelerator on Jobs and Social Protection, which was launched in September 2021.

The UN platform will coordinate global funding for hundreds of millions of new jobs and extend social security to four billion in the landlocked world.