This principle of
freedom of expression is embodied in constitutions and legislation at the international and national level. In
the world of work, meaningful social dialogue relies entirely on freedom of expression. Absence
of “freedom of opinion and expression and in particular
freedom to hold opinions without
interference and to seek, receive and impart
information and ideas through any media and
regardless of frontiers” removes all meaning
from freedom of association and collective bargaining (ILO 1970, para. 2(b)).
The Declaration of Philadelphia, which forms
part of the ILO Constitution, asserts that “freedom of expression and of association are essential
to sustained progress” and emphasized that this was one of the “fundamental principles on
which the Organization is based”. The UDHR further confirms the importance of this principle
in Article 19, which states: “Everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression”; and
in Article 19 of the ICCPR, guaranteeing the right to hold opinions without interference and the
freedom to seek, receive and impart information and ideas of all kinds.
Figure 1.1 shows two sets of indicators that tell more or less the same story, which is a decline
in the two measures of freedom of expression since around 2010.
Freedom of expression is a sine qua non condition for social justice. Given that social justice
presupposes that all have a voice and that decisions be taken through dialogue,17 without
freedom of expression, there can be no social justice. This applies both to the world of work
and to society as a whole.
Freedom of expression and association are also preconditions for effective democratic institutions that promote jobs and economic growth. Effective democratic institutions can alter
economic incentives that bring more prosperity to more people. They channel more investment
towards public goods and services and stimulate innovation, entrepreneurship and higher levels
of productivity – all factors conducive to economic growth and to social justice. To work well,
they must be based on inclusive institutions that expand decent job opportunities and empower
those who would otherwise be left behind.
While there is no one democratic model, and effective governance can vary tremendously in its
outward manifestations, the elements of the fundamental rights and capabilities pillar support
the rule both “by the people and for the people” in ways that sustain jobs, rights and growth.
Representative organizations and civic space are critical to creating a feedback loop that supports social
justice. Additionally, democratic institutions promote
equality and social mobility, ensuring that a larger portion of the population can participate in the economy,
further enhancing the growth potential. Among many
forms of participation, democracies also foster social
peace through social dialogue with employers’ and
workers’ organizations. Social partners have been
instrumental in democratization processes because
they possess the power to hold governments accountable. When democratically governed
as well as being strong, independent and representative, they promote stability, which is
often a precondition for inclusive growth. This is why so many social partners have fought for
democracy throughout history.
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