Rethinking Labour: Ethical Reflections on the Future of Work (14 November 2018, Global)

Rethinking Labour: Ethical Reflections on the Future of Work

The future of work is one of the biggest challenges of our century and an important topic in the Catholic Social Teaching. As Pope Francis stated, “work is more than a mere doing, it is above all a mission”.

The year 2019 will mark the centenary of the International Labour Organization (ILO), whose Constitution states that “universal and lasting peace can be established only if it is based upon social justice”.

The forming segmentation of labour markets and the increasing challenges concerning social justice, decent work, unemployment, digitalisation, aging of the population, and growing numbers of international migration, to name a few, are clear indicators of what the economy, society, policy- and decision-makers, and the human being will have to deal with in the future.

The crucial role played by work finds a consistent recognition in the Christian tradition and offers us a guide to “rethink labour”, which not only needs to include the economic component but, more importantly, the social dimension.

The Caritas in Veritate Foundation together with “The Future of Work, Labour after Laudato Si” global project propose, through this publication, to answer to those questions raised by integrating the human dimension, the centrality of human dignity, and the common good within discussions on the future of work, both in international organisations and in civil society.