APA-Pretoria (South Africa) South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has called on fellow world leaders to show commitment to social justice through concrete actions by carrying out policies that fostered job creation, created fertile ground for entrepreneurship, and ensured fair wages and working conditions for all workers.
Addressing the World of Work Summit organised by the International Labour Organisation in Switzerland on Wednesday, Ramaphosa said social justice remained a fundamental pillar of sustainable development which could enhance opportunities for meaningful and sustainable work for all workers.
This meant that there was a need to remove the structural barriers that stood in the way of equal access to opportunities, he said.
“We must prioritise the removal of discrimination based on gender, age, race, migration status and other grounds,” he added.
In addition, the president urged world leaders to unite in supporting organisations that fought for social justice for all.
“At a time of great uncertainty, amid heightened geopolitical contestation, we need to work together to safeguard the mandate and critical work of institutions like the UN International Labour Organisation,” he said.
In this regard, all ILO member states, organisations and stakeholders should join forces and contribute to the realisation of the proposed Global Coalition for Social Justice, the president said.
“May this summit be a catalyst for the fundamental global change we seek towards the achievement of social justice for all,” Ramaphosa said.
NM/jn/APA