20 February, 2024To reinforce global efforts towards social justice and workers' rights, IndustriALL Global Union has joined the Global Coalition for Social Justice, led by the International Labour Organization (ILO).
The Global Coalition for Social Justice is an initiative, uniting diverse stakeholders in the battle against social injustice and for the acceleration of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. By bringing together governments, employers' and workers' organizations, financial institutions, and academia, the coalition aims to promote global solidarity, policy coherence, and concerted action to tackle the challenges of social justice deficits.
Atle Høie, general secretary of IndustriALL, expressed enthusiasm about the union's involvement, stating,
"Joining the Global Coalition for Social Justice is a natural extension of IndustriALL's mission to advocate for workers' rights and social justice worldwide. This initiative offers a powerful platform for us to collaborate with other organizations in addressing the urgent social and economic challenges facing our global community."
The creation of the coalition comes at a critical time when overlapping crises and structural economic transformations pose significant obstacles to achieving social justice and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Social justice is essential for reducing poverty, inequality, and social tensions, thereby contributing to shared prosperity and sustainable socio-economic development.
The initiative was developed under the leadership of ILO Director-General Houngbo and has received widespread support from global leaders, including the UN Secretary-General. It aims to leverage the strengths of its members to address social justice challenges effectively and coherently.
Membership in the Global Coalition for Social Justice is voluntary, aiming to reflect a commitment among partners to contribute to advancing social justice and the SDGs on a global, regional, and national level. Through this platform, members are encouraged to develop and share initiatives that significantly advance social justice, drawing on their unique capacities and priorities.
The coalition not only provides a space for partners to join forces in shaping individual and collective actions but also serves as a conduit for global advocacy. By promoting social justice in international, regional, and national debates, the coalition aims to generate increased political commitments and foster concrete actions in support of national priorities.
As a member of the coalition, IndustriALL wants to ensure that the voice of workers is heard:
“Our involvement in the Global Coalition for Social Justice represents a vital opportunity to amplify our efforts in promoting fair labour practices and decent work around the world,"
This partnership has the potential to be transformative and a significant step forward for social justice.”
Høie added.