Unemployment is a serious problem in Western society. The approach to the solution is controversial and data often differ. People most of all talk slogans, but in the end the concept of work comes out distorted. To escape the rhetorical ambiguity related to development, innovation and competitiveness, a rigorous study of the theme of work is called for. Over the last years, numerous bipartisan legislative actions have been taken to change the labor market (unfortunate term). However, the legislator has so far missed to acknowledge the value of work which must not be seen as a commodity, but rather as a service to be provided to society. Which way out can we imagine? There are many questions pending, all of which deserve immediate answers which cannot but consider the great social changes underway: technological, biological and geopolitical. Nor can these answers forget the social and economic justice towards human beings.
Keywords: Unemployment, work, social justice.