Major Group: Workers & Trade
Enhancing means of implementation through sub-regional, regional and international
cooperation
Intervention by Workers and Trade Unions Major Group
Thank you Mr. Chairperson for this opportunity to make a short input.
Let us remind that this CSD14 sess ion give us an opportunity to reflect on progress made since
World Summit in 2002 and at subsequent similar meetings. Delegates of governments are requested
to identify obstacles and constraints, lessons learned and best practices as well as recommendations
for best practices as well as recommendations for next steps needed to make progress. In so doing
we need frank, open and honest review.
Listening to different inputs given at this session I got the feeling that some country inputs are
vague and dodgy and therefore not helpful. However, I am encouraged by input given by the South
African representative input so far as the African Union approaches around the structural approach
through NEPAD as well as SADC.
In addition, I am inspired by the input by bot h Ms. Lusenga and Ms. Parker on their experience. We
need to find a systematic approach on how we share their experience for purpose of further
agreement.
For the labour movement, we are keen to hear what feedback the governments give as well as their
commitments and promises they are making as we would use than as yard stick for progress in
2007. We regard that input would not just be for a general discussion but would be specific and
could be operationalised for future programme.
Critical to this discussion is the recognition that governments should create an enabling and
conclusive environment allowing all stakeholders to participate. In this context the global trade
union movement jointly with the UN agencies held a summit on Labour and the Environment in
Nairobi, with the primary intention to establish cooperation and partnership. More importantly, to
create a common platform between UNEP ILO and WHO that explores opportunities for further
action. See full resolution as submitted to all government dele gations.
In conclusion, it is critical for us, that all governments should adhere to democratic principles and
practices as they are pre-requisite for social dialogue. It is in those countries that practice social
dialogue that would guarantee civil society participation.
Equally important is the recognition that civil society have their own priorities. People in Darfour,
Sudan I imagine their priority is less environment and climate change but survival (food, peace and
security) so the same could be said about people in Zimbabwe.
The questions of policy domination by donor community need through review. It can no longer be
accepted the policy imposition without the buy-in by the local people.
Finally, we expect government representatives to be faithful and honest to recommendations and
outcomes of the debates at CSD hoping that they would not turn against them whenever involved in
other forums. We expect coherence and continuity. To illustrate a point here, we are disappointed
with developments on the T rade Agreements negotiations where we observe the OECD countries
shifting past in relation to opening agricultural markets to NAMA.
This approach in our view if it is to succeed spells doom for developing countries and would
forever perpetuate poverty. We however hope that sanity would prevail.
cooperation
Intervention by Workers and Trade Unions Major Group
Thank you Mr. Chairperson for this opportunity to make a short input.
Let us remind that this CSD14 sess ion give us an opportunity to reflect on progress made since
World Summit in 2002 and at subsequent similar meetings. Delegates of governments are requested
to identify obstacles and constraints, lessons learned and best practices as well as recommendations
for best practices as well as recommendations for next steps needed to make progress. In so doing
we need frank, open and honest review.
Listening to different inputs given at this session I got the feeling that some country inputs are
vague and dodgy and therefore not helpful. However, I am encouraged by input given by the South
African representative input so far as the African Union approaches around the structural approach
through NEPAD as well as SADC.
In addition, I am inspired by the input by bot h Ms. Lusenga and Ms. Parker on their experience. We
need to find a systematic approach on how we share their experience for purpose of further
agreement.
For the labour movement, we are keen to hear what feedback the governments give as well as their
commitments and promises they are making as we would use than as yard stick for progress in
2007. We regard that input would not just be for a general discussion but would be specific and
could be operationalised for future programme.
Critical to this discussion is the recognition that governments should create an enabling and
conclusive environment allowing all stakeholders to participate. In this context the global trade
union movement jointly with the UN agencies held a summit on Labour and the Environment in
Nairobi, with the primary intention to establish cooperation and partnership. More importantly, to
create a common platform between UNEP ILO and WHO that explores opportunities for further
action. See full resolution as submitted to all government dele gations.
In conclusion, it is critical for us, that all governments should adhere to democratic principles and
practices as they are pre-requisite for social dialogue. It is in those countries that practice social
dialogue that would guarantee civil society participation.
Equally important is the recognition that civil society have their own priorities. People in Darfour,
Sudan I imagine their priority is less environment and climate change but survival (food, peace and
security) so the same could be said about people in Zimbabwe.
The questions of policy domination by donor community need through review. It can no longer be
accepted the policy imposition without the buy-in by the local people.
Finally, we expect government representatives to be faithful and honest to recommendations and
outcomes of the debates at CSD hoping that they would not turn against them whenever involved in
other forums. We expect coherence and continuity. To illustrate a point here, we are disappointed
with developments on the T rade Agreements negotiations where we observe the OECD countries
shifting past in relation to opening agricultural markets to NAMA.
This approach in our view if it is to succeed spells doom for developing countries and would
forever perpetuate poverty. We however hope that sanity would prevail.