Social justice, decent work and human dignity: CIOs remain faithful to their commitments around the ILC (24 July 2023, Global)

This article presents the summary of the participation of Catholic-inspired Organizations (CIOs) at the ILC and in a side-event co-sponsored by the FOWLS Project and the ICMC which was also attended by collaborating organizations and partners of the European Working Group of the FOWLS Project.

Social justice, decent work and human dignity: CIOs remain faithful to their commitments around the ILC

The International Labour Conference (ILC) is held annually by the International Labour Organization (ILO) as a policy-setting mechanism to promote human rights and dignity, along with decent work, equal opportunities, and social justice for all.

The rising of geopolitical tensions due to the war in Ukraine and the overall economic, social and environment related crises leads ineluctably to the necessity of cooperation and joint advocacy. In such a context, many actors at different scales, including Catholic-inspired organizations (CIOs), had once again the opportunity to not only promote values, but also to take part of action.

During the 111th session of the ILC (5-16 June 2023), the International Catholic Migration Commission, Kolping International and the International Young Christian Workers were able to address individual statements to the ILO Director General during the plenary sessions. Thus, they have contributed to this discussion through various visions of these complex issues, including the ILO’s initiative to engage the international community to prevent inequalities and make social justice a political priority worldwide, known as the Global Coalition for Social Justice. Furthermore, the CIOs had the chance to participate in a side-event co-organized by “The Future of Work – Labour after Laudato si’” Project and the International Catholic Migration Commission (ICMC), on “Social justice in the world of work and beyond: from common values to common engagement and action” in 9-10 June.

International Catholic Migration Commission (ICMC)

ICMC’s statement for this 111th ILC was delivered by Ms. Christine Nathan, President of the ICMC.

ICMC reaffirmed its commitment to helping migrants throughout the world by cooperating with other church-based institutions, which has been the case since 1951. Indeed, advocating for social justice and dignity has always been a priority. In the context of the war in Ukraine, ICMC recently supported Catholic services according help to internally displaced persons.

Delivering this statement, in response to the report of the Director General, was an opportunity to mention several elements, starting by the need to rethink our economic model based on consumerism and “throw-away” culture to replace it by a more human-centered system. Equally, we must not forget the need for collaboration to promote efficient and decent work and the participatory process related to the Global Coalition for Social Justice. Thus, the ICMC is currently engaged with the ILO throughout the project “The Future of Work – Labour after Laudato si’”.

In the end, the ICMC reminded us of the universal dimension of migration and its inherent relationship with the labour issue.

Kolping International (KI)

Dr. Hildegard Hagemann was the person in charge of delivering KI’s statement, a Catholic social association which is inspired by the teachings of the priest and social reformer Adolph Kolping. In the introduction, KI expressed its gratitude to the ILC for allowing International Non-Governmental Organisations (INGOs) to participate in this Conference, which have discussed the future of work for an extended period.

KI shares an agreement with all the delegates concerning the importance of social dialogue to face the impacts of social, economic, and environmental challenges. This dialogue, as a prerequisite for social justice, should be considered as a public good and must include the populations which are directly victims of these issues: “Nothing about us without us”!

KI also denounced the derivatives of authoritarian states, which would attempt to reduce the space for civil society under the pretext of fighting terrorism, the financial crisis, etc. As the statement reminds us, workers, producers, and consumers are equally part of civil society and cannot only be considered as economic actors.

Everyone promoting social and inclusive dialogue will therefore be supported by KI. Concretely, when the social partners and the ILO consider the establishment of regular dialogue platforms at national level on ILC topics.

Finally, the ILC is an occasion to remind ourselves of the importance of international conventions to protect workers’ rights. Hence, the presence and effective participation of INGOs at the ILO, specifically in the new Global Coalition for Social Justice should be ensured. KI considers this as a precondition of a wide acceptance of these rights, being at the core of social justice.

International Young Christians Workers (IYCW)

IYCW’s statement addressed by Ms. Isabel Cristina Molina Obregon from JOC Nicaragua calling for social justice that will guarantee a life with dignity to empower people, and to transform societies in a just and sustainable manner based on the principles of equality, justice, solidarity, and participatory democracy.

In the statement, they brought a testimony of a young women worker in a factory which reflected the reality of thousands of young people who have to face harsh working conditions, and young people cannot continue to realize their dreams and aspirations because of the lack of opportunities and leaving these priorities to meet their immediate needs. In order to make sure the social justice will become a reality for everyone, the IYCW called for:

• The need for decent work and an income that provides a long-term perspective to start one’s family life and better balance between jobs and families.
• Social Protection is integral in achieving Social Justice. Social Protection should be for all workers! It should not be limited to employed wage workers but also cover workers in the informal economy and vulnerable groups such as migrants, domestic workers and platform workers.
• Stop the privatization and commercialization of common goods and services and promote public services and social and solidarity economy.
• Ensure the full participation of civil society, workers, and the voice of the young people in State processes to fulfil its mandate to democracy.

Finally, these statements were not the only occasion for CIOs to express their commitments on labour issues. In parallel to the ILC, a side-event was organized by “The Future of Work – Labour after Laudato si’” Project and the ICMC, in cooperation with the Commission of the Bishops’ Conferences of the European Union (COMECE), the Council of Bishops’ Conferences of Europe (CCEE), the Pontifical Commission for Latin America, Aggiornamenti Sociali, Centre de Recherche et d’Action Sociales (CERAS), World Council of Churches (WCC), International Coordination of Young Christian Workers (CIJOC), MMTC-WMCW, ATD Fourth World, and with the participation of WIEGO and international networks of workers in the informal economy. The theme was “Social justice in the world of work and beyond: from common values to common engagement and action” and the seminar took place in 9-10 June.

This European-Global seminar allowed participants from diverse organizations to discuss three main topics impacting the world of work: People living in extreme poverty and/or facing discrimination, access to employment and income in conditions of dignity, Migration across borders and within countries: challenges to access decent work and ensure social protection, Social justice transition taking care of our common home in the face of economic and social challenges, including the Eastern European crisis.

Participants had the opportunity to analyse these subjects in greater depth, by listening to the ideas that everyone had to offer. Beyond its main purpose, this seminar was a worthy illustration of what can be qualified as an intercultural and intergenerational dialogue and exchange. In addition, participants agreed to utilize modalities that include/bring the voice of the people, grassroots communities at the heart of each discussion. In the end, for each of the topics, the attendees had for objective to define which elements were the most relevant, in order to agree on what would be the priorities for building a common roadmap which should lead to action.