Tuesday, 25th March 2025, from 10.00 am to 3.00 pm
Venue: Bruno Kreisky Forum for International Dialogue, Armbrustergasse 15, 1190, Vienna
The roundtable is a joint event of the MSCA research project WORK-AGE-JUST and the Bruno Kreisky Forum for International Dialogue, which aims to critically consider issues related to social justice notions in terms of contemporary challenges, limits, tasks and (un)successful strategies to establish and guarantee equality and fair treatment in the world of labour.
Social justice is a key term for political struggle, a core concept of labour movements and a reference point for people’s activism. The International Labour Organisation established the Global Coalition for Social Justice in 2023, which makes social inequalities, discrimination and exclusion a central point of a new worldwide initiative. It aims to advance social justice and decent work through multilateral cooperation and partnerships. Without putting this significant initiative in doubt, we know from history that social justice was often fought for at the national and local levels by grassroots movements. How do these transnational and national levels interact in the social justice sphere? How can we link people’s ideals and policymakers’ actions in the period of global capitalism and world-scale migration? Do social justice ideals correspond to social justice practice? Do granted labour rights bring a socially just workplace environment? Can we understand labour rights as human rights? Is democracy a guarantee of social justice? What does the rise of illiberal movements in Europe and beyond mean for the social justice agenda? Are the policies of economic growth a precondition of social justice?
The roundtable discussion invites scholars, experts, and policymakers to consider what advancing social justice means in the practical realm. The roundtable will start with a keynote by Steven L. B. Jensen (The Danish Institute of Human Rights), addressing a relationship between social justice, labour rights and social movement from a longer-term perspective. The ensuing discussion, divided into two sections dedicated to (I.) institutions of social partnership and social justice and (II.) workers and labour rights, will emphasize issues relating to the reinforcement of actors’ role in social dialogue and partnership, the challenges of trade unions in the 21st century, the representation of citizens and their ideas of social justice, etc.
The roundtable aims to critically consider issues related to social justice notions in terms of contemporary challenges, limits, tasks and (un)successful strategies to establish and guarantee equality and fair treatment in the world of labour. The roundtable starts with a keynote by Dr Steven L. B. Jensen to frame the talks, followed by Q&A. The event then continues with discussions on two selected umbrella topics: (1) institutions of social partnerships and social justice and (2) workers and labour rights. Each of the five speakers will make a 5-minute initial statement based on their expertise and experiences, which will serve as a starting point for general discussion among all present participants.
Program
Tuesday, 25. March, 10.00 – 15.00hrs
Roundtable Discussion
10.00 – 10.15 Welcome
Sabine Kroissenbrunner, Secretary General of Bruno Kreisky Forum
Radka Šustrová, Marie Skłodowska-Curie Action Fellow, University of Vienna
10.15 – 11.30 Keynote by Steven L. B. Jensen, Danish Institute for Human Rights
The Battle for “the Social”: History, Politics and the Significance of International Human Rights Justice Standards
Moderator: Agáta Šústová Drelová (Slovak Academy of Sciences)
11.30 – 11.40 Coffee Break
11.40 – 13.00 Panel 1: Institutions of social partnership and social justice
This panel will raise questions and discuss experiences of negotiating labour rights and equality within and among institutions of social dialogue while reflecting on internal settings to define and promote social justice in the workplace. Is social justice a reference point in your work? What are your priorities and strategies when leading discussions centred on economic growth? What has (or has not) worked well for you in conducting social dialogue? What role does the international arena play in leading negotiations with your social partners?
Speakers:
Paul Dvořak, Institute for Historical Social Research, Vienna
Patrik Eichler, Masaryk Academy, Prague
Robin Maialeh, Research Institute for Labour and Social Affairs, Prague & Škoda Auto University
Rafael Peels, International Labour Organisation
Silvia Rocha-Akis, Austrian Institute of Economic Research, Vienna
Moderator: Radka Šustrová (Vienna University)
13.00 – 13.10 Coffee Break
13.10 – 14.30 Panel 2: Workers and labour rights
This panel will reflect on achieving fair treatment and workplace justice. What are your experiences in translating social justice ideals into workplace realities? Is ‘social justice’ a term that helps mobilize workers today? How do you reflect on (and cope with) differences between gender equality and justice as ideal and everyday practice? How can we guarantee labour rights and social equality for employees with foreign nationality?
Speakers:
Daniel Gordon, Edge Hill University
Kateřina Nedbálková, Masaryk University Brno
Rafael Peels, International Labour Organisation
Florian Wagner, Gemeinwohl-Ökonomie Österreich/Econgood Austria
Florian Wenninger, Institute for Historical Social Research, Vienna
Moderator: Goran Musić (Vienna University)
14.30 Concluding words followed by buffet lunch, informal talks
*If you are interested in attending the workshop, please email radka.kopecek.sustrova@univie.ac.at
