When you talk about Economic Justice and Labor, you’re talking about making it possible for everybody to build a life that is productive and creative without discriminating against them because of their background, race, gender, religious belief, or education. It ensures everyone can participate in the economy and earn enough to thrive, centering on fairness in distributing benefits and burdens. The concept includes equal access to jobs, capital ownership, and credit. One goal is benefits proportional to economic contribution, such as livable wages and income equality.
The World Population Review measures income inequality in each country through The Gini Index. The lower the percentage, the more equal income is in that country. The United States of America has a 49% Gini Index, while Canada’s number is just under 30%. The country with the best index is Slovakia at 23.8%, while the worst is South Africa at 63%.
A 2024 study from the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development found the gender pay gap in the U.S. was 19%. The country with the highest pay gap was South Korea, with women making 29% less than men while performing the same job. Belgium has one the lowest pay gaps at around .8%. The average for all countries was 11%.
In America, more than half of all adults live paycheck to paycheck, according to a survey conducted by Econofact. The Center for American Progress found that almost 36 million people, 10.6% of the U.S. population, live below the poverty level. The federal poverty threshold is based on pretax income, which for a family of four in 2024 was $31,812.
GROUPS WORKING TO HELP
Central Florida Jobs With Justice — Central Florida Jobs with Justice believes all workers should have, job security, the right to organize, and a decent standard of living in an economy that works for everyone. We build long-term partnerships among labor unions, faith communities, students, and community groups based on shared values, because the only way to win real change is by standing united. If you would like to help, Central Florida Jobs with Justice accepts donations.
West Central Florida Labor Council – The council has 116,000 active and retired union members from more than 100 locals around West Central Florida. The council is dedicated to represent the interests of working people at the state and local level. They mobilize members and community partners to advocate for social and economic justice and make communities better for all people—regardless of race, color, gender, religion, age, sexual orientation, or ethnic or national origin.
Feeding Tampa Bay – Feeding Tampa Bay starts with helping people get the meals they need and then takes extra steps. Food insecurity is often just part of a challenging situation that includes housing, transportation, employment, and health issues. FTB connects people with the resources they need to move forward. Through partnerships, education, and strategic programs, FTB is a one-stop hub where someone can find a warm meal, gain access to benefits, learn new skills, and discover the tools to achieve lasting stability. Feeding Tampa Bay welcomes donations and volunteers.
Project Prosper — Project Prosper educates recent immigrants about the American financial system. The concern is immigrants could fall into financial traps like predatory lending schemes and destructive financial practices that can result in long-lasting damage. Project Prosper serves a majority of low-moderate income individuals, providing them with the tools they need to succeed. To continue its work, Project Prosper accepts donations and volunteers.
SPECIAL EVENTS
National Black & Latino Economic Summit, August 5-7, 2026. Sheraton Sand Key, Clearwater, FL — This event focuses on economic justice, racial wealth gap solutions, access to capital, and affordable housing development for minority entrepreneurs and advocates. Attendees include bank partners, housing developers, and small business leaders. Details and scholarships are available through the Black & Latino Economic Summit site.
Florida NOW 2026 Annual State Conference, August 14-16. Downtown Hilton, St. Petersburg, FL — This conference includes workshops and panels on feminist candidates, economic justice, and community advocacy. Free to attend for individuals under 30 years old. View full schedules on the FL NOW page.
WMNF PROGRAMMING
Economic Update (Thursdays 11am-11:30am) — On Economic Update with Professor Richard Wolff, Wolff and guests discuss the economic crisis, both local and global. The show focuses on wages, jobs, taxes, debts, interest rates, prices and profits. Wolff aims to explain why certain economic changes are happening and other changes get postponed or blocked, and explore alternative ways to organize enterprises, markets and government policies. Economic Update is a show for people who want to understand and change not only their own financial situation but also the larger economy we all depend on.
SPOTIFY PLAYLIST
How are you marking August’s Mission of the Month? We’d love to hear from you! Share your story in the comments on this page or leave a message on our testimonial line at 855-239-1558.