By Dr. Gyan Pathak
Commitments are pledged by governments from across the world for social justice and decent work during ILO meetings, but they are never fulfilled, on account of considerable hurdles in the way. Turning commitments into action remains a challenge. To address the issue the Global Coalition for Social Justice Annual Forum will convene its 2026 Annual Forum on 16-17 September, 2026. It will bring together governments, employers’ and workers’ organizations, international and regional organizations, development banks, the private sector, academia and civil society to strengthen collective action.
The two-day virtual 2026 Forum will focus in particular on how Coalition partners are translating international commitments into action, with particular attention to the Coalition’s contribution to the implementation of the Doha Political Declaration, adopted at the Second World Summit for Social Development, and to advancing the objectives of the UN80 Initiative.
The 2026 Forum has special significance for India, because the Government has always been expressing its commitment for social Justice and creation decent work, but lagging far behind in action compared to the challenges it faces. For majority of its people both social justice and decent work remain a dream. Union Minister of Labour and Employment Mansukh Mandaviya will also be addressing the participant on behalf of the largest populated country of the world having largest number or people without social justice and decent work, making the occasion significant.
For quite some time India has been indulging in a propaganda that it has been expanding social security coverage. Mansukh Mandaviya has recently said that India’s social protection coverage has expanded significantly, reaching over 64% to 68% of the population (covering over 101 crore citizens) as recognized by the International Labour Organisation (ILO), ranking second globally in total beneficiary reach.
What Madaviya did not admit is the frightening ground reality that it was not full social security coverage, but only partial, with pittance help to the needy, such as 5 kg of grain per person per month under Prime Minister Garib Kalyan Anna Yojna (PMGKAY). More than 90 per cent workers are still in informal work, both in the informal and formal sectors, who lack social security coverage with no medical coverage under ESI or no provident fund or family pension facilities under EPF. There are some welfare schemes which are not enough for complete coverage but increases the number of beneficiaries, and the government goes on boasting about it at national and international platforms like ILO.
However, ILO Director-General Gilbert F. Houngbo, has been categorically saying for quite some time now that the countries must place fair employment at the heart of social justice, which is essential to economic security, social cohesion, and peace. During an informal meeting of the Ministers for Employment and Social Affairs (EPSCO) in February he had said, “Social justice and fair employment are the foundation of social cohesion and an investment in countries’ long-term stability and prosperity.” With the cost of living rising and poverty remaining persistent, he argued that living wages are essential to advance social justice, noting the recent ILO tripartite agreement on the importance of achieving living wages.
Union Minister of Labour and Employment of India Mansukh Madaviya’s participation in 2026 Forum is therefore significant because quality of job in the country has been deteriorating fast. Majority don’t even able to earn living wages and employment opportunities for decent work is narrowing. People have limited access to social justice and fair employment opportunities.
The Forum will open with addresses by ILO Director-General Gilbert F. Houngbo, representatives of the Coalition’s Coordinating Group, and other high-level leaders, including Minister of Labour and Employment of Brazil Luiz Marinho, President of the International Organisation of Employers (IOE) Jaqueline Mugo, and General Secretary, International Trade Union Confederation Luc Triangle.
This year’s Forum will provide a space for partners to share experiences and lessons learned, assess progress, identify opportunities for collaboration and shape future collective action. It will focus on advancing the Coalition’s thematic priorities and key interventions, with particular attention to its contribution to implementing the Doha Political Declaration adopted at the Second World Summit for Social Development. Discussions will also explore how the Coalition can strengthen collaboration, policy coherence and coordinated action across the multilateral system, in line with the objectives of the UN80 agenda.
The Global Coalition for Social Justice was established by the International Labour Organization (ILO) in 2023 as a global platform to strengthen multistakeholder cooperation and accelerate collective action for decent work and social justice.
Bringing together over 400 partners from governments, employers’ and workers’ organizations, international and regional organizations, development banks, the private sector, academia and civil society, the Coalition fosters coherent and integrated approaches across institutions to advance social justice, by expanding opportunities for all, fostering shared prosperity and contributing to resilient societies.
The Coalition provides a collaborative framework for dialogue and action through which partners develop and implement actions that translate international commitments into concrete results and lasting social progress. (IPA Service)
