Global unions charge govts on decent, sustainable jobs

By VICTOR AHIUMA-YOUNG

UMBRELLA body for global Trade unions, International Trade Union Confederation, ITUC, has called on governments to assume their responsibilities  and create decent, sustainable jobs and stand up for the rights of people at work.

ITUC represents 175 million workers in 153 countries and territories and has 308 national affiliates including Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC and Trade Union Congress of Nigeria, TUC.

In a May Day message, ITUC Secretary General Sharan Burrow spoke of the need to respond to the challenges of climate change in a way that has a real, demonstrable impact on carbon emissions, creates green jobs, and strengthens social sustainability.

According to the statement “We call for Global regulation of financial markets to reduce their dominant role in the global economy and restore them as a support for productive investment to meet social needs;  A broad range of urgent actions for jobs and recovery, including a focus on youth unemployment, in order to create good, secure employment.

“Employment measures, including enhanced education and training, which will ensure the long-term generation of good, sustainable jobs; a central element of the fight against inequality and poverty; Responses to the challenges of climate change in a way that has a real, demonstrable impact on carbon emissions, creates green jobs, and strengthens social sustainability; Fair taxes that raise greater revenue from upper income groups and corporations, fight tax fraud and evasion, close loopholes and crack down on tax havens and a Financial Transaction Tax to inhibit rapid financial transactions”

“We demand making financial markets more stable and less dangerous, while generating essential revenue;  Full respect for trade union rights and the promotion of strong systems of collective bargaining and   social dialogue to help build fairness and democracy.