This report positions social justice not as a luxury but as a foundational pillar for peace, stability, cohesion and sustainable development, grounded in the universal recognition of human and labour rights as essential to dignity and fairness.

It emphasises that justice does not flow automatically from economic growth but must be actively pursued through political will, institutional reform and inclusive governance, with policy choices shaping whether transitions lead to opportunity or exclusion.

Drawing on interviews from 17 countries, it reveals a widespread crisis of institutional trust: despite strong legal frameworks, many workers report exclusion, mistreatment and neglect, underscoring the gap between formal protections and lived realities of justice.

The report argues for a vision of advancing social justice built upon four pillars, each of which is discussed in report: 

1. Fundamental human rights and capabilities: these lay the foundation for social justice and involve ensuring fundamental freedoms and entitlements.
2. Equal access to opportunities: social justice requires a focus on removing barriers to participation in education, training and the world of work, enabling people to earn a decent living.
3. Fair distribution: this pillar aims to ensure a just share of economic growth benefits, with particular attention to the most disadvantaged.
4. Fair transitions: social justice in a changing world involves applying, adapting and amplifying institutions to manage major societal shifts (environmental, digital and demographic) justly, ensuring no one is left behind.