The economic analysis of the idea of guaranteed labor employment

It is often said that nothing in life is absolutely guaranteed. It is also said that if you really want something, you have to secure the result for yourself. But what if the goal is a stable and well-paid job, worthy of confidence in the future?

This is the paradoxical situation in which job security is trying to offer a solution. Public policy creates conditions for redundant employment, allowing every job seeker to get a job, regardless of personal circumstances or economic situation. This approach transforms employment centers into sites for voluntary work, where citizens can participate in public service projects, environmental activities, rehabilitation programs, or small infrastructure development.

There is a contradiction in this approach: paid work remains an indispensable and critical part of modern life, but for many it remains elusive, burdensome, and sometimes seems imposed. A guaranteed labor system takes on two major problems of economic instability - unemployment, whether temporary or long-term, and low-wage, insecure employment. There are also other pressing issues in the labor market, such as late payments, discrimination, poverty, and stagnant income growth.

There are other forms of economic insecurity manifested in inadequate access to quality food, housing, health care and education. The concept of job security addresses a wide range of social and economic issues, contributing to a more equitable economy. Job security is a supportive policy that categorically rejects the idea that people facing poverty, substandard housing or unsafe environments should be accepted as inevitable costs of a market economy.

The application of public policy to ensure the right to work has a long history, imbued with a moral foundation and a commitment to sustainability. This right is enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights as well as in the Economic Bill of Rights proposed by President Franklin Delano Roosevelt. Job security became a landmark issue of the civil rights movement and is reflected in the constitutions of numerous countries, reaffirming a commitment to long-term social justice.

The mandatory enforcement of the guaranteed work mandate is still not fully realized in the United States. The drafters of the Employment Act of 1946 and the Full Employment and Balanced Growth Act attempted to create a legislative framework to protect the right to work, but their efforts were unsuccessful. In the absence of a universal right to work, employment programs have been periodically launched around the world that, while imperfect, have partially filled the gap, with many showing significant results.

Green Deal

Today, job security has become the centerpiece of the Green New Deal, which argues that without social and economic justice, environmental sustainability cannot be achieved. The Green New Deal and secure work address two seemingly different but in fact inextricably linked challenges: climate change and economic insecurity. Imagine a future where global warming has been contained, but entire communities continue to suffer from unemployment, poverty and despair. Such a prospect only emphasizes the need to connect environmental and economic justice.

The question is, what kind of economy should we have that simultaneously makes well-paying jobs available to all and continues to destroy the natural environment on which our survival depends? While the idea of job security originated long before the Green New Deal, it has always had a “green” component. From initiatives like Roosevelt's “Army of Trees” to modern programs described in scientific papers, the priority has always been to protect nature and restore society.

The Green New Deal is not just an ambitious program; it is a plan that can transform the economy and leave a livable world for future generations. Job security becomes the foundation for economic and social justice built into the scientific response to climate change. It addresses long-standing labor market problems by helping to deal with potential mass layoffs caused by the transition to sustainable technologies.

The arguments in favor of job security

One of the key benefits of job security is lower unemployment. When everyone has access to paid work, it can significantly reduce the social and economic problems associated with the lack of income for part of the population. In addition, guaranteed employment can serve as a kind of economic stabilizer, providing jobs in times of crisis when the private sector fails to create enough vacancies.

It is also worth noting that such programs can become an incentive to improve public infrastructure and quality of life. Jobs can be focused on important social tasks, such as restoring urban facilities, creating environmental projects or developing educational initiatives. This not only provides employment, but also brings tangible benefits to the entire community.

Guaranteed employment promotes social justice. It helps to narrow income gaps by providing equal earning opportunities for all. This is especially true for vulnerable groups who face discrimination in the labor market or limited access to high-paying jobs.

The psychological aspect cannot be overlooked. A job, even a simple one, gives people a sense of usefulness and importance, reducing stress and depression. This has a positive effect on the general state of society, improving its moral climate and reducing crime.

Critics often point to the high cost of such programs, but they can be economically justified. Guaranteed employment reduces the burden on social services by reducing the need for benefits and other forms of public assistance. In addition, economic activity increases due to an increase in the purchasing power of the population.