Major Group: Workers & Trade Unions

ITUC INTERNATIONAL TRADE UNION CONFEDERATION CSI CONFÉDÉRATION SYNDICALE INTERNATIONALE
CSI CONFEDERACIÓN SINDICAL INTERNACIONAL IGB INTERNATIONALER GEWERKSCHAFTSBUND
Bd du Roi Albert II 5, Bte 1, B – 1210 Bruxelles Belgique
Tel. [phone] Fax [phone] E-mail [e-mail] http://www.ituc-csi.org
New York, 30 April 2012
STATEMENT BY THE WORKERS AND TRADE UNIONS MAJOR GROUP
On the occasion of the meeting of the Rio+20 Bureau with Major Groups
Thank you Chair,
In our common statement, we made clear that for the labour movement it is key
to ensure that Rio+20 outcomes reflect past commitments and agreed
principles, including ILO core labour standards as well as other rights, such as
the right to development, access to water and sanitation.
Let me now give you more details on two of our main proposals for Rio: the
launch of an initiative on a social protection and the need for a global
commitment to decent work for all, enacted by concrete goals and targets.
Delegates,
The eradication of poverty is a major priority for achieving sustainable
development. As recognised in the negotiating text, social protection systems
are fundamental for addressing poverty and reducing inequality and social
exclusion. A global social protection initiative must be launched in Rio+20, to
catalyse progress taking place at the national and international level by a variety
of actors. Does it mean every country should have the same social protection
system? No. It means that the international community will commit to secure
guarantees to everyone, and each country will define the means to implement
them. A Rio+20 outcome could therefore send a powerful message to the world:
every citizen will have access to health services and income protection for the
unemployed, for children, the disabled, the elderly and for maternity. The global
initiative could also aim to integrate progressively environmental concerns in
these schemes through socio-environmental protection initiatives. This would
radically change our current approach to development into a truly
comprehensive rights-based one and build a sustainability agenda based on
people's needs.
Our second proposal is about Decent Work. Achieving sustainable development
very much depends on the capacities of our societies to reduce unemployment,
eradicate precarious working conditions and promote employment opportunities.
Those opportunities must reduce the impact of production on the environment
ITUC INTERNATIONAL TRADE UNION CONFEDERATION CSI CONFÉDÉRATION SYNDICALE INTERNATIONALE
CSI CONFEDERACIÓN SINDICAL INTERNACIONAL IGB INTERNATIONALER GEWERKSCHAFTSBUND
Bd du Roi Albert II 5, Bte 1, B – 1210 Bruxelles Belgique
Tel. [phone] Fax [phone] E-mail [e-mail] http://www.ituc-csi.org
and take into consideration Earth’s limited natural resources. We, the workers of
the world call these green and decent jobs.
The negotiating text assesses clearly the challenges of the world of work.
Unfortunately we are yet to see a decision arising from it. An action-oriented
outcome that points to a global commitment to ensure Decent Work for all is
crucial. An initiative where governments will commit to do their utmost to reduce
unemployment, eliminate working poverty and develop jobs in sustainable
sectors that are decent. An emphasis on women and youth -as mentioned in the
in the current text- is key, however we’d like to stress the importance of this
global strategy being placed within the 'decent work for all' framework .
We can not forget that all action-oriented Rio outcomes will need new financial
resources to be implemented. The trade union movement believes that a
financial transaction tax (FTT) will not only provide the necessary funds for it but
will reduce speculation as well. We hope heads of states have the courage to
agree on an FTT in Rio.
We have five more days to show that the international community can deliver
concrete measures which will put our society on track towards social equity,
decent work, environmental protection and development.
Thank you for your attention