Global progress on social justice slowed by persistent inequalities, new ILO report warns

Despite gains in education, poverty reduction and productivity over the past three decades, entrenched inequalities, fragile trust in institutions and slow progress in key areas continue to hold back social justice worldwide, according to a new report from the International Labour Organisation (ILO).

The report analyses the progress of social justice through four pillars:

• Fundamental human rights and capabilities: (ensuring fundamental freedoms and entitlements)
• Equal access to opportunities: (removing barriers to participation in education, training and work)
• Fair distribution: ensuring a just share of economic growth benefits
• Fair transition: adapting institutions to manage major societal shifts (environmental, digital and demographic), ensuring no one is left behind.

The report finds progress on guaranteeing basic human rights has been mixed. While the prevalence of child labour and the rate of fatal occupational injuries have both fallen steeply since 1995 – the compliance with freedom of association and collective bargaining rights score has not improved since 2015 and forced labour remains at close to 3.5% of the population.

On its analysis under ‘fair distribution’, the report states that despite reduction in labour income inequality since 1995, wage inequality remains high, and many workers earn wages insufficient for a decent living.

The report found that the total share of income held by the top 10% remains unacceptably high at 53%. Certain groups – such as women and workers with disabilities – continue to face wage gaps driven by factors unrelated to job characteristics, skills levels, worker experience or performance. The report indicates that although women have made significant progress towards closing the earnings gap with men, they still earn only 75% of what men do in high-income countries, and only 46% in low-income countries.

The ILO makes two key recommendations for fair market outcomes: minimum wages and wage bargaining. They have emphasised that research consistently shows that unions and collective bargaining reduce wage inequality – but global collective bargaining coverage is far too low (one third of employees) and unionisation rates are in decline.

Trust in institutions has been declining worldwide since 1982, reflecting growing frustration that effort is not being rewarded fairly, says the report. The ILO wans that unless action is taken to strengthen the social contract, this erosion of trust could undermine the legitimacy of democratic systems and global cooperation.

Gilbert F Houngbo, ILO Director-General, said:

“Social justice is not only a moral imperative – it is essential for economic security, social cohesion and peace.

The world has made undeniable progress, but we cannot ignore that millions remain excluded from opportunity and dignity at work”

The full report can be read here