Advancing social justice through active labour market policies

Despite significant progress in various areas, widespread dissatisfaction and failing trust in institutions persist, fueled by uneven social progress and persistent inequality, GLORIA NWAFOR reports that collaboration among government ministries, institutions and social partners will enable more comprehensive and coordinated responses to the interconnected global challenges.

Exactly 30 years ago, world leaders gathered in Copenhagen for the inaugural World Summit for Social Development. The 1995 summit emphasised the pivotal role of full and productive employment in fostering social development, highlighting its interconnectedness with poverty eradication and social inclusion.

The International Labour Organisation (ILO) has embarked on its first attempt to assess the state of social justice in the world and reflect on the progress made over the past three decades. This initiative aims to establish a people-centred framework for social development in a world where basic needs are still unmet, poverty persists, and unemployment and social exclusion are rising.

Social justice, as defined by the ILO, means that all human beings, regardless of race, creed, or sex, have the right to pursue both their material well-being and spiritual development in conditions of freedom and dignity, economic security, and equal opportunity. Beyond being a moral imperative, social justice also enables societies and economies to function more cohesively and effectively. It fosters trust, enhances legitimacy and unlocks productive potential for sustained inclusive growth, peace, and stability.

The ILO Flagship Report – ‘The State of Social Justice 2025’ – evaluates key indicators used to measure global progress and ongoing challenges in achieving social justice. It builds on the ILO Constitution’s premise that “universal and lasting peace can be established only if it is based upon social justice.”

While significant progress has been made, progress in certain areas remains limited, and stark global inequalities persist. Disenchantment with institutions is widespread and persistent, indicating a fraying social contract. Governments, unions, and businesses face declining levels of trust, highlighting the need for decisive action and inclusive policymaking.

To build a just world, the ILO emphasises advancing social justice through four pillars of fundamental human rights and capabilities: equal access to opportunities, fair distribution, and fair transitions. The report calls for a renewed commitment to social justice, underscoring the importance of decisive action and inclusive policymaking.

Social justice is achieved by applying existing labour institutions—such as social protection systems, active labour market policies, and labour protections—to the challenges we face today.

The global body emphasised that existing policies are insufficient to address new challenges. It stressed that institutions must be adapted to meet the unique demands of the present time, particularly as societies grapple with environmental, digital, and demographic transitions.

Central to this adaptation, the ILO stated, is robust social dialogue, ensuring that social partners actively contribute to shaping policy outcomes and solutions.

This approach is described as truly transformative and must also emphasise the social dimension of policymaking. The ILO advocated for labour policies to transcend narrow frameworks and instead be integrated into broader domains such as finance, industry, health, and environmental planning.

The upcoming Second World Summit for Social Development is presented as a critical opportunity and instrument to facilitate and strengthen commitment and cooperation in the pursuit of social justice and decent work for all.

In Nigeria, the labour movement is already facing the challenging task of mobilising the populace to seize control of the civil space and resist oppressive policies. They are advocating for alternative solutions that benefit the working class.

While workers are calling on the government to address the lingering economic hardships facing the country, they emphasise the need to bridge the gap between the governed and the government. They vow to resist policies that exacerbate the cost of living and hinder the value of wages.

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and its Trade Union Congress (TUC) counterpart have consistently maintained that the correlation between workers’ welfare and national productivity is undeniable.

President of the NLC, Joe Ajaero, and Festus Osifo of TUC argued that workers have always been at the forefront of societal transformation, even amidst difficult circumstances.

The labour leaders firmly believed that workers must rebuild the nation’s democracy.They emphasised that they had fought for independence, against military dictatorship, and for democracy, and now, they must fight to rescue that democracy from the grip of deliberate abuse, repression, increasing alienation, and exploitation. They called for holding their leaders accountable for the suffering they inflict on the people.

The labour leaders urged a pushback against the forces of repression and a rebuilding of the nation on the foundations of justice and equity. The unionists demanded that government policies reflect the interests of the people, not the greed of a privileged few.

They alleged that policies are made without workers’ input, protests are met with brutal force, and the rights to free speech and association are under constant assault.

The unionists argued that governance must be aligned with the needs of the people and held completely accountable to the desires of the sovereign—the masses.

They highlighted the state of the nation, stating that the Nigerian economy is facing severe structural challenges. These challenges are reflected in deteriorating macroeconomic fundamentals, which negatively impact workers, the real sector, and citizens’ welfare.