Editorial by Conny Reuter, SOLIDAR Secretary General

World Day of Social Justice

20 February 2015

Today is the World Day of Social Justice. A day to stress once again that -as the ILO highlights- the economic gap continues to widen, with the richest 10 per cent earning 30 to 40 per cent of total income while the poorest 10 per cent earn between 2 and 7 per cent (source).

At the same time, millions of people are subjected to unacceptable conditions of work and about 21 million people (including children) are forced to work under inhuman conditions. The UN dedicates this year’s Social Justice Day to them (source).

In Europe, the day coincides with a very crucial decision which will have a huge impact on well-being and social justice in Europe: will the Eurogroup give a positive answer to the request of the newly elected and newly formed Greek government? Will the European Finance Ministers admit that a kind of moratorium is needed for Greece or will they insist dogmatically on pursuing austerity policies? Austerity policies have had a disastrous effect on the social situation in Greece as clearly shown by the statistics, including those on health. Nevertheless dear Syriza friends: it is completely inacceptable and inappropriate to speak of a “social holocaust”. The Holocaust remains unique in history as it stands for the industrial extermination of the Jews in Europe.

But does the future of Greece in the EURO depend on the privatisation of Greek airports, coasts and health systems? Certainly not. Greece’s economic statistics would be more positive today without the burden of the debt, and it is recommended that those who have already benefitted be looked after: as the saying goes “the loss is public and the benefit private”. Greece like other countries needs investment capacity for sustainable development and not remedies that have already been seen to have disastrous effects, notably in the 70’s and 80’s in Africa, Asia and Latin America. And in Europe we still want to know whether and how the Jobs, Growth and Investment plan presented by Commission President Juncker will allow a fresh start? It is disappointing to see that any reference to a more social dimension promised by the candidate does not seem to have found its way into the relevant documents of this week…

Progress towards social justice has to do with more than GDP indicators and even well-being indicators are not enough. GINI indicators and measurements of unemployment, poverty, access to public and social services, the (gender) pay gap and inequality in general are all relevant to considering whether there has been any progress along the path towards more social justice and more cohesive societies.

Postponing the Europe2020 review, abandoning a European Social Agenda and undermining social protection systems for the sake of austerity are certainly not the way to lift people out of poverty, or to increase the quality of employment and life. Investing in education and social protection systems needs more determination and concrete action, not announcements and promises.

Leaving the social indicators out or pushing them into the background will prevent us gaining a clear picture of what is happening politically within our societies: citizens who feel let down and abandoned turn away from democracy and its institutions (see also article by Policy Network). Social Justice is the glue of our societies inside Europe and outside of Europe. And as Aristotle said: “Democracy is when the indigent, and not the men of property, are the rulers.”

In 2015 we will continue to mobilise for social justice by focusing on the following priorities:

• Promoting the social dimension of EU governance.

• Promoting quality employment and quality social services.

• Advocating for universal and comprehensive social protection.

• Advocating for guaranteed fundamental rights for everyone.

You can read the full SOLIDAR statement on World Day of Social Justice with more details on our priorities here.

Related

• The International Labour Organisation’s Director Guy Ryder emphasises the necessity to stop forced Labour, read more here.
• Also the United Nations (UN) wants to dedicate the upcoming year to end human trafficking and forced labour. Read more here.
• The International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC) is highlighting today growing global unemployment and poverty. Read more here.

Together for Social Europe

EMU – has the social dimension disappeared?

18 February 2015

The question of the social dimension of the EMU and the impact the crisis has had on our European social model are completely ignored by the paper. The words “social” or “solidarity” are absent – as they seem to be in the thinking of these EU leaders. Although Juncker, then President of the Eurogroup, was co-author of the 4-Presidents-Paper in 2012, elements such as the creation of a shock-absorption function at EU level that would ensure a form of fiscal solidarity have completely disappeared from the new report.
That balancing measures are needed has been shown again by the report on Employment and Social Developments 2014 which again gave evidence that the economic and social divergences in and between European Member States and regions are increasing and so are inequality and poverty.
Read more.

Building Learning Societies

Supporting social justice through lifelong learning

20 February 2015

In most EU countries there has been a shocking increase in the level of inequality. Year by year, since the outbreak of the economic crisis, there has been an increase in the number of people suffering severe material deprivation, living at risk of poverty or social exclusion, and those in need of emergency handouts. In the current socio-economic situation there is a very low level of social mobility – people born into poverty are highly unlikely to overcome this situation, and those born into wealthy families will remain rich. People living in poverty are also the ones who suffer most from indecent working conditions and low pay, having limited opportunities to climb up the socio-economic ladder due to the fact that life chances are closely linked to the level of wealth.
Read more.

Organising International Solidarity

Freedom of Association and the Right to Strike: Cornerstones of Democratic Systems

18 February 2015

On 18 February 2015, that date was designated by the General Council of the International Trade Union Confederation as the Global Day of Action in defence of the right to strike.

Organised in response to the attacks on the right to strike from the Employers’ Group at the International Labour Organisation (ILO), this day of action is an opportunity for all progressive organisations, NGOs, political parties, etc. to emphasise that the right to strike is a fundamental democratic right across Europe and worldwide and that Freedom of Association is indispensable to achieving social justice.
Freedom of Association and the right to strike are fundamental rights for everyone and the backbone of our democracies.
Read more.