Contributive Justice: Why decent work matters and why it is under threat

This talk will address the concerns of the Left Behind: the many communities around the world, where decent work is threatened by the combined impact of globalisation and technological advancements. 

Decent work transcends mere income, it fosters self-respect that comes from performing a meaningful, skill-based employment that contributes to the community. Creating such employment opportunities within an economy is a practical and achievable form of social justice – what Michael Sandel terms Contributive Justice. It also revitalizes and rejuvenates economies harmed by the myth that globalisation leads to universal prosperity. 

However, not all employment creation efforts are successful. Nostalgic policies attempting to revive obsolete jobs are unlikely to be sustainable, particularly in developing countries. Instead, proactive public policies should focus on training and equipping workforces with skills that are relevant for 21st Century that builds on their distinctive strengths and harness technology for societal benefits. 

In those societies currently gridlocked by polarised politics, progress requires a package of policies that resonate across the ideological spectrum. While maintaining core principles of a market economy such as competition, we can learn from recent successes in societies that offer more equitable forms of economic democracy which avoid ‘hierarchies of humiliation’ and unsatisfying work.