Equality and Justice in Labour Law, Social Security Law and Social Policy

Abstract

The goal of law is to provide, accommodate and foster greater equality and justice in the labour market (in case of employment and labour law) as well within the society at large (cases of social security law and social policy). The idea of substantive equality is closely connected with the notion of justice to all individual human being: employees, self-employed, workers, insured as well as those who are in need. The author argues that labour market as well as the society as such may remove the bariers, obstacles and failers in order to secure the equality between equals. He points out close connections not only between equality and justice but also between anti-discrimination policy and temporary preferential treatment of previously discriminated members of society (dillemma of equality). He strongly advocates that idea of equality as it applied in labour, social security laws and social policy ought to be extended beyond legal limits of equal treatment. The legal duty to act in good faith (equity principle) should be introduced into labour and social security law and social policy as the most important legal and political instrument which may be used to control pure legal norms, decisions and action pursued by both public and private institutions in order to guarantee a high degree of stability in areas ruled by social law (labour and social security) and social policy.