MARKING the World Day of Social Justice, the Director-General of the International Labour Organization (ILO), Mr Gilbert F. Houngbo, called on the international community urging for a decisive shift from rhetorical commitments to tangible action in order to build a fair and inclusive future for all.
In a statement commemorating the day, Houngbo emphasised that social justice is not merely an aspirational goal but a fundamental responsibility.
He anchored his appeal in the outcomes of the Second World Summit for Social Development, held last November, where world leaders adopted the Doha Declaration.
According to the ILO chief, the declaration served as a pivotal message that development – whether sustainable, inclusive, or resilient – can only be achieved when its social dimension is fully integrated into global policies.
“The question is no longer whether we agree, it is whether we are ready to act,” Houngbo said.
To facilitate this transition from agreement to execution, Houngbo highlighted the growing momentum of the Global Coalition for Social Justice, which the ILO boss said was launched to accelerate progress on the ground.
He said the Coalition has now swelled to include more than 400 partners of a diverse network comprising governments, workers’ and employers’ organisations, international institutions, academia, civil society, and the private sector.
The Director-General expressed particular encouragement at the “diversity and depth” of contributions from these partners, who are collaborating on high-impact initiatives that address core challenges outlined in the Doha Declaration.
Houngbo detailed four priority areas where urgent action is required, which include: formalising work targeting efforts to support the millions of workers currently trapped in informal employment, and providing them with security and rights; living wages by ensuring that economic progress translates into tangible benefits for all workers through fair compensation.
Other priority areas include harnessing Artificial Intelligence (AI) to proactively steer its development to ensure it becomes a driver of social progress, with a focus on creating tools and expanding access to skills development; and closing of gender pay gap in order to advance work through platforms like the Equal Pay International Coalition (EPIC) to achieve economic equality.
These initiatives, Houngbo explained, are part of a broader collective effort to implement the Doha Declaration, noting that they complement other critical agendas, such as fostering social dialogue for a just transition in the face of climate change, encouraging responsible business conduct, and empowering youth.
“Let us continue to act together and ensure social justice shapes the future of development for everyone,” Houngbo said expressing gratitude to the Coalition partners for their dedication as he concluded his address.
