EZA MAGAZINE
EZA PODCAST

Social justice and social cohesion with particular focus on the organisation of the world of work

At the seminar supported by the European Union and EZA, which dealt with the topic of "Social justice and social cohesion with particular focus on the organisation of the world of work" at the Catholic Social Institute in Siegburg from June 14th – 16th, 2017, 40 representatives of employee organisations from Belgium, Germany, Estonia, France, Croatia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, Spain and the Czech Republic took part. The seminar was part of the EZA project coordination on the topic "Impact of the digital world of work on the lives of workers and their families - socio-ethical considerations".

In view of the ever widening gap between rich and poor in all European countries, the seminar addressed alternative social and economic concepts and initiatives with a special focus on how social cohesion can be regained both within and between European countries. It was particularly important to consider what contribution the organisation of the world of work can make to this and to the overall promotion of truly humane interpersonal relations in our societies.

The seminar work began with a scientific analysis of the reasons for the growing inequality within and between the EU Member States. This analysis was first carried out as an example for the Federal Republic of Germany and then discussed in comparison with other European countries.

The definitions of "poverty", "absolute and relative poverty" on the one hand and "wealth" on the other hand were critically reflected on the corresponding statistical data.

Subsequently, as reasons for the growing social polarization in Germany, the low wages associated with "Agenda 21" on the one hand and the enormous capital gains on the other were named in a very differentiated, data-precise diversification documented with numerous examples and a catalogue of measures to reduce the social divide was called for. The most important measures here would be: 1. the introduction of citizens' insurance, i.e. solidarity-based inclusion of all - including civil servants, self-employed persons and parliamentarians - in social security; 2. an increase in the minimum wage; 3. the creation of a fairer tax system with a higher top tax rate on income, an increase in corporate income tax, changes in the collection of capital gains tax, the levying of an inheritance tax and a property tax. The introduction of a financial transaction tax at European level was added to these proposals at national level.

Following a very committed discussion on these measures, which concerned the pros and cons of adopting individual measures in the specific social and economic situations of other European countries, the connecting psychological, general human experiences were discussed once again, for example at the European meetings of people experiencing poverty taking place in Brussels. In this context, there was once again a unanimous call for comparatively equal basic provision in all EU member states, also in view of the growing migration pressure within Europe. 

Another focus was on fundamental alternative concepts to the current economic system based on two examples, the public welfare economy and equilibrism. The equilibrism presented by the present co-founder draws a holistic vision of human life in harmony with nature, which was experienced as very inspiring by the participants and differentiated in detail in all areas of life. The common good economy initiated by Christian Felber is a democratic economic system based on the principles of trust, appreciation and cooperation, in which the values of the economy are in harmony with the constitutional and relationship values and which is intended to enable a good life for all. In this economic order, in addition to the generally accepted financial balance sheet, there is a public interest balance sheet in which certain values defined within the framework of the public interest economy, such as human dignity, solidarity and justice, ecological sustainability as well as transparency and codecision, can be balanced on the basis of an appropriate catalogue of criteria.

The proposals by Anthony B. Atkinson, Thomas Piketty, Robert and Edward Skidelsky to create greater social justice were also discussed particularly intensively during the seminar. They plead for an ethically and morally oriented basic reflection on life goals, away from the constant accumulation of material wealth towards a good life. They cite it as the foundation of a good life: Health, safety, respect, a life in harmony with nature, the possibility of being an authentic personality and leisure. A social development in this direction can only be based on overcoming / reducing social injustices / inequalities. All four authors agree that the path to this goal requires the following five essential steps: 1) Technological progress that is not blindly left to itself, but intelligently controlled; 2) State-guaranteed employment for all those willing to work with an appropriate minimum income. 3. a fairer distribution of wealth. 4. a progressive tax system; 5. a basic social security for all. The detailed steps for the realization of these essential steps and the arguments that the four authors put forward for the necessity of these steps, in different degrees of extensiveness, were discussed.

The seminar concluded with a dialogue between representatives of the Federal Society of the German Employer Associations and the European Trade Union Confederation on omissions and greater opportunities for social dialogue with a focus on overcoming social inequalities. To this end, the dialogue between the social partners at European level should first and foremost be significantly intensified. There, pioneering agreements could be made for the development of social dialogue in many member states. Furthermore, the increased exchange of experience between workers' organisations in individual countries could lead to creative approaches to a renewed social dialogue. In this respect, employee organisations are faced with the task of institutionalising more efficient forms of information exchange.