GOVERNMENTS, employers’ and workers’ organisations, international organisations, academic institutions and NGOs have joined hands to form a global coalition to grow multilateral cooperation, and accelerate progress towards achieving Sustainable Development Goals and Decent Work Agenda, the International Labour Organisation (ILO) has announced.
Tagged theGlobal Coalition for Social Justice and described by the ILO as a ground-breaking cooperative initiative to tackle social justice deficits, now includes 100 partners from across the globe.
According to the ILO, the Coalition aims to improve worldwide collaboration in addressing social justice gaps and advancing the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, the Sustainable Development Goals and the Decent Work Agenda. Through knowledge sharing and advocacy, the ILO initiative seeks to reduce global inequalities, alleviate poverty and meet essential needs, through the promotion of international labour standards and social dialogue.
“We have a unique opportunity, to bend the arc of history in favour of social justice, for a world where everyone can fulfil their potential and enjoy the benefits of economic, environmental and social progress. Social justice is at the core of our mandate at the ILO, and I am really pleased to share that within just two months we have been able to bring together so many partners across sectors to bring about social justice,” said ILO Director-General, Gilbert F. Houngbo.
OTHER NEWS:
FG Committed To Prompt Payment Of N35,000 Wage Award – AGF
Court Remands Herdsman For Alleged Murder, Open Grazing
Restore Power Supply Within 7 Days Or Risk Mass Protest, Ibadan Communities Tell IBEDC
Anglican Bishop Cautions Igbos Calling For Another War To Stop
To date, 19 governments, 14 employers’ and 30 workers’ organisations, 11 international organisations and financial institutions, as well as 10 regional entities, 12 international non-governmental organisations, three enterprises and one academic institution have joined the Coalition, established by the ILO Governing Body in November 2023.
Although the Nigerian Government, Nigeria’s two trade union centres, and their counterpart employers’ organisation as well as civil society organisation are yet to sign up to the Coalition, the only two African countries on list of first 100 partners include Gabon and Central African Republic.
Leading five African trade union centres is OATUU, along with CSA (Senegal), SSWTUF (South Sudan), CSTT (Togo), TUCTA (Tanzania), ZCTU (Zambia). See the complete and up-to-date list of partners.
The Coalition has also gained support from numerous Heads of State, Government officials, and global leaders, including the UN Secretary General, notably at the 2023 World of Work Summit: Social justice for all.
On February 20, 2024, World Day of Social Justice, the ILO will host global online events to raise awareness and advocate for achieving a greater balance among the economic, social, and environmental dimensions of sustainable development. Prominent figures from the realms of work, politics, international and regional organisations, as well as academia will unite to discuss achieving global social justice. The agenda includes tackling pressing challenges and formulating actionable strategies to enhance progress on the 2030 Agenda, Sustainable Development Goals, and the Decent Work Agenda.
ALSO READ:
A Century Of Lenin: The Man Who Changed World History; By Owei Lakemfa
Lenin Centenary: Celebration Will Have Meaning Only If We Work Together, Committed To Reclaiming Our Nation’s Civic Space; By Joe Ajaero
The Coalition is a voluntary platform open to governments, employers’ and workers’ organizations, international entities, financial institutions, businesses, NGOs, and academia, who are committed to advancing social justice and shared goals. It harnesses partners’ strengths and priorities, encourages political commitments and practical actions aligned with national priorities.
Joining the Coalition provides partners with amplified visibility on the social justice aspects of their mandates. Collaborative efforts allow for greater impact and scale, enabling outcomes otherwise unattainable individually, such as improved access to healthcare, quality education, and decent work. This leads to better employment opportunities, nutrition, and education for workers and their families.
