Unions lobby G8 for decent work
Trade union leaders from across the world will descend on Downing Street today in demand of decent employment.
TUC general secretary Brendan Barber will lead the delegation, representing 170 million workers, to press Prime Minister Tony Blair for decent wages, proper rights and skills development ahead of next week’s G8 summit in Gleneagles.
The delegation will tell Mr Blair that his efforts on poverty in Africa have worldwide support, but quality work is needed to provide lasting solutions to global poverty and a better environment.
They will point out that over 550 million adults worldwide are trapped in a cycle of poor work and poverty, earning less than one US dollar a day.
“Decent work is the only sustainable route out of poverty, and the only way to protect the environment and create growth at the same time,” said Mr Barber.
“Decent work in the developed world did not appear out of thin air. Unions fought for governments and far-sighted employers to agree to protect workers, raise standards and make work pay.”
John Sweeney, president of the US union body AFL-CIO, and Adams Oshiomhole, general secretary of the Nigeria Labour Congress, will be among the delegation that will be making a submission to the G8 setting out the key demands of the world’s workers.
The submission calls for decent work to be placed at the core of socio-economic policy in Africa, for developed countries to meet the UN target for allocating 0.7 per cent of GNP as official development assistance, and for investment in people through education, health and access to clean water.
It also calls for the elimination of the worst forms of child labour, the creation of a G8 working group on Aids, and effective plans for sustainable energy use.
Mr Barber added: “Working people around the world are backing Tony Blair’s efforts to make poverty history in Africa and protect the planet, but trade unions will be pressing all governments to recognise that decent work is key to achieving those goals. We will be holding world leaders to account.”
Trade union members will also be joining the Make Poverty History demonstration in Edinburgh on Saturday July 2, where the TUC general secretary is a key speaker.
