Major Group: Workers & Trade
Thank you Chair
On behalf of workers and trade unions, I would like to share with you some thoughts on
possible outcomes of Rio+20
Chair, as many ministers have expressed, we need Rio+20 to set the scene for achieving
social equity in a protected environment.
It is clear that the current economic model is not delivering for workers and their
families, nor for the environment. We need to engage on a new partnership for social
progress in a resource-constrained world.
The question is how can Rio+20 can help us doing so
A month ago Chair, trade unions organised the Madrid Dialogue, where labour leaders
met with more than 20 governments and NGOs with the support of the Spanish
government. There, we identified three proposals that, if decided, would put us on the
right track towards sustainability.
The first one relates to the green economy. We believe we need to get the principles
right. The Green Economy needs to help us achieving Equity between and within
countries; inclusiveness, providing opportunities for women, young people, informal
workers; decent work, just transition, all these must be clearly agreed. But we think
something concrete should come from that debate, and we are asking governments, as
a concrete action, to pledge for the green and decent jobs they will create in the next
five years in the sectors relevant for their economies.
The second one relates to the need for exploring and deciding on new sources of
funding for sustainability, and asking a certain number of sectors to contribute to
solving the global challenges we are facing, and in our view, a tax on financial
transactions plays a key role in this regard.
The third one, and this will be the final idea in my statement, is related to the so-called
emerging challenges. Chair, emerging challenges need long term responses. And we
need citizens to be able to stand in dignity facing those challenges, being them climate,
food or energy, unemployment, just for mentioning a few. Social protection systems are
key for building resilience, and Rio+20 could take a concrete decision, establishing a
Universal Social Protection Floor.
Chair, trade unions stand ready to support ambitious governments in their efforts to
achieve a successful conference for working families and for the planet. I thank you.
On behalf of workers and trade unions, I would like to share with you some thoughts on
possible outcomes of Rio+20
Chair, as many ministers have expressed, we need Rio+20 to set the scene for achieving
social equity in a protected environment.
It is clear that the current economic model is not delivering for workers and their
families, nor for the environment. We need to engage on a new partnership for social
progress in a resource-constrained world.
The question is how can Rio+20 can help us doing so
A month ago Chair, trade unions organised the Madrid Dialogue, where labour leaders
met with more than 20 governments and NGOs with the support of the Spanish
government. There, we identified three proposals that, if decided, would put us on the
right track towards sustainability.
The first one relates to the green economy. We believe we need to get the principles
right. The Green Economy needs to help us achieving Equity between and within
countries; inclusiveness, providing opportunities for women, young people, informal
workers; decent work, just transition, all these must be clearly agreed. But we think
something concrete should come from that debate, and we are asking governments, as
a concrete action, to pledge for the green and decent jobs they will create in the next
five years in the sectors relevant for their economies.
The second one relates to the need for exploring and deciding on new sources of
funding for sustainability, and asking a certain number of sectors to contribute to
solving the global challenges we are facing, and in our view, a tax on financial
transactions plays a key role in this regard.
The third one, and this will be the final idea in my statement, is related to the so-called
emerging challenges. Chair, emerging challenges need long term responses. And we
need citizens to be able to stand in dignity facing those challenges, being them climate,
food or energy, unemployment, just for mentioning a few. Social protection systems are
key for building resilience, and Rio+20 could take a concrete decision, establishing a
Universal Social Protection Floor.
Chair, trade unions stand ready to support ambitious governments in their efforts to
achieve a successful conference for working families and for the planet. I thank you.