The United Nations(UN)’s World Day of Social Justice is annually observed across the globe on 20th February to promote and ensure Social justice in letter and spirit in the world where the social inequality persists.
The day recognises that social development can be ensured in the absence of Social Justice.
The theme of the 2021 World Day of Social Justice is “A Call for Social Justice in the Digital Economy” which highlights the basic rights of the workers who have shifted to the digital platform and whose lives were affected by the lack of digital infrastructure.
Background:
The United Nations General Assembly(UNGA) adopted the resolution A/RES/62/10 on 26th November 2007 and proclaimed 20th February of every year, starting from the 63rd Session of the UNGA, will be celebrated as the World Day of Social Justice.
Objectives:
- To tackle issues like poverty, exclusion, gender equality, unemployment, human rights, and social protections.
- To support the efforts of the international community towards finding solutions to achieve sustainable development, promote full employment and decent work, universal social protection and access to social well being and justice for all.
Social Justice:
Social Justice is the fairness demonstrated in society, social justice includes fairness in healthcare, employment, housing, etcs.,.
Digital economy and Social Justice:
i.The expansion of broadband connectivity, cloud computing and data over the past 10 years have resulted in the rapid growth of the digital economy.
ii.Due to the COVID-19 pandemic since 2020 has led to remote working arrangements which has further contributed to the development of digital economy.
iii.The digital platform has enabled income generation opportunities and flexible work arrangement to women, persons with disabilities, young people and migrant workers.
Challenges of Digital labour platform:
i.The challenges of digital platforms faced by the workers are related to regulatory of work and income, living standards, fair working conditions, social protection etc.,
ii.The traditional businesses face challenges like unfair competition from platforms who are not subjected to taxation and other obligations.
iii.The traditional businesses have to continuously adapt their funding with respect to digital transformations and inadequate availability of reliable digital infrastructure.
Events 2021:
i.As a part of the celebration of World Day of Social Justice, The Centre for Peace and Justice(CPJ), Brac University along with UN Women Bangladesh has organised an online short film festival.
ii.The event features the entries of short videos category form the Online Art, Photograph and Short Video Contest 2020.
Efforts of ILO:
i.On 10 June 2008, the International Labour Organization unanimously adopted the ILO Declaration on Social Justice for a Fair Globalization. This is the 3rd major statement of principles and policies adopted by the ILO since it was constituted in 1919.
ii.This was the outcome of the tripartite consultations that started with the report of the World commission on the social dimension of globalization.
iii.The Declaration institutionalized the Decent Work concept developed by the ILO since 1999
About International Labour Organization (ILO):
International Labour Organization (ILO) is the only tripartite UN agency.
It was established in 1919 as a part of the Treaty of Versailles, which ended the World War I.
Director General– Guy Ryder
Headquarters– Genève, Switzerland
