The need for decent work and a revised approach to globalization has encouraged governments, workers and employers to adopt the ILO “Declaration on Social Justice for a Fair Globalization” at the 97th International Labour Conference in June 2008. This Declaration is designed to reinforce the ILO’s competence in advancing its Decent Work Agenda and to create successful remedies to financial chaos, increasing unemployment, the problems of informal economies and inadequate social protection. “Not only does it signal a major change towards balanced economic and social policies, but it equips the ILO with a formidable tool to pursue the promotion of a fair globalization based on Decent Work” said the ILO’s Director-General, Mr Juan Somavia.

In particular, the Declaration sets the groundwork for ILO to better support its constituents in attaining social justice through the four strategic objectives of the ILO: employment, social protection, social dialogue and tripartism, and fundamental principles and rights at work. The Declaration accentuates the need for and the interrelation among each of these objectives, without which decent work cannot be achieved. It confirms that although globalization has helped a number of countries to benefit from economic growth and employment opportunities, it has also led many countries and sectors in the direction of greater income disparity, higher levels of unemployment, and intensification of poor working conditions.

Therefore, the Declaration is yet another tool to promote safety and health standards and measures. It demonstrates that occupational safety and health and working conditions go hand in hand under the ILO’s social protection objective and should not be marginalized as a result of the profit motive and short-term judgments.

For more information:

Press release, ILO Department of Communication and Public Information.