ITUC FRONTLINE CAMPAIGNS AND FOUR PILLARS FOR ACTION 2020
←
→
Page content transcription
If your browser does not render page correctly, please read the page content below
ITUC 21GC/E/6 FRONTLINE CAMPAIGNS AND FOUR PILLARS FOR ACTION 2020 HOPE NOT HATRED RIGHTS NOT OPPRESSION DEMOCRACY NOT DICTATORSHIP FREEDOM NOT FASCISM SOLIDARITY NOT DIVISION TRUST NOT DESPAIR FAIRNESS NOT INEQUALITY COURAGE NOT FEAR 99% NOT 1% DIGNITY NOT EXPLOITATION #CHANGETHERULES DEMOCRACIES FOR PEOPLE A NEW SOCIAL CONTRACT JUST TRANSITION FOR CLIMATE AMBITION
Contents
Introduction5
ITUC Frontline Campaigns7
Democracies for People: Change the Rules7
A New Social Contract10
Just Transition for Climate Ambition13
ITUC Pillars and Thematic Areas17
Peace, Democracy and Rights17
Countries at Risk
Migration and Slavery
Peace and Disarmament
Regulating Economic Power20
Jobs, Shared Prosperity
Corporate Power
Multilateralism
Global Shifts - Just Transitions23
Industrial Transformation and Just Transition – Climate
Industrial Transformation – Future of Work
Equality26
Economic Integration of Women
Organising against Discrimination and Exclusion
Annex I 29
Summary – Frontlines and Pillars 29
Annex II 30
Sustainable Development Goals and Targets – Trade Union Highlights30Introduction
The ITUC World Congress in Copenhagen gave us an ambitious And we will leave no one behind. Women, migrant workers,
mandate with four pillars to frame our strategic plans to 2022. workers in the informal sector, workers in platform businesses,
Organising to build workers’ power is fundamental to our success, workers at risk of loss of jobs due to climate change or technology
and with a ten per cent membership growth target, we are and other workers who are marginalised or discriminated against
determined to grow the movement. Support for unions to share – all those who are exploited in the endless quest for profit must
and use technology for organising and campaigning will be be at the centre of our efforts. Without security and hope, many
incorporated. people are attracted to the false promises of the extreme right.
This summary of the ITUC strategic priorities and plans includes The Sustainable Development Goals chart a pathway to a zero-
the four pillars of Peace, Democracy and Rights; Regulating poverty, zero-carbon future that is rights based and just, but they
Economic Power; Global Shifts - Just Transitions; and Equality. cannot be realised without decent work. With the focus of our
These are core business for the ITUC, and each pillar has thematic four pillars for action and our three Frontline campaigns, we have
areas of focus with goals against which we will measure our a formidable agenda. Our aspirations for a just world are winnable.
progress and report to the General Council each year and to the
next ITUC World Congress in 2022. The General Council will review progress on the objectives
identified, and decide on annual plans and desired outcomes as
From key ambitions across the pillars, three Frontline campaigns well as on the budget recommended by the Executive Bureau.
are planned. These will be our public demands that will help us The Elected Leaders Group will provide advice and help evaluate
to change the rules to win democracy, rights, decent work and our work and that of our regions. All of these bodies reflect our
social justice. They are: global coverage and diversity.
• Democracies for People: Change the Rules Working with affiliates, the Regional Organisations and GUFs, we
• A New Social Contract can organise workers everywhere to demonstrate that workers’
• Just Transition for Climate Ambition power can change the rules.
Trade unions are on the front lines in a struggle to claim democratic Sharan Burrow
rights and freedoms against the corporate greed that has
captured many governments, such that they are acting against General Secretary
the rights and the interests of people and have facilitated the rise
of the extreme right.
A New Social Contract between governments, workers and
business is needed to rebuild trust as people lose faith in
democracies, and we must stop hothouse earth with ambitious
action on climate change.
5Frontline Campaign: Democracies for People: Change the Rules
Overview
Trust in democracy is broken. Only thirty per cent of the world’s then the rise of authoritarianism will not be checked. And extreme
people believe that their voice matters. right-wing groups will continue to lure those who feel excluded.
People want their governments to rewrite economic rules to The ITUC Global Rights Index shows that democratic space is
promote growth and shared prosperity. They want governments shrinking – 54 countries denied or constrained freedom of speech
to act in the interests of people. and assembly last year. Wages and social protection are declining
and unemployment is high. Progress for women has stalled and
Rebuilding strong democracies will require governments to young people are worried they won’t be able to achieve what
reframe their approach to planning and reporting to ensure previous generations have achieved.
accountability and transparency and respect for the rule of law.
More people go to bed hungry than the world claims to have lifted
If people cannot see how the wealth of their economy is being out of poverty – all this despite the world being three times richer
used to facilitate jobs growth with a target of full employment; than it was just twenty years ago.
if living standards are not based on minimum living wages and It’s way past time to hold governments to stronger
collective bargaining to guarantee decent jobs; account.
if universal social protection and quality public services are not This Frontline campaign frames a set of demands on governments.
the bulwark against poverty; Affiliates could consider these and amend them to national
circumstances for consultation with their governments around what
if fair taxation, where corporations pay their share in the country things government should publicly report on to measure progress
where profit is earned, but is not collected and invested in vital in a framework which is broader than simply GDP. This would help
public services including free public education, vocational guarantee participatory democracy and support the demand for
85% people of want to
education and lifelong learning, free healthcare, childcare and
aged care, and in sustainable infrastructure;
legislation that guarantees transparency and accountability.
change the rules if equal economic participation of women and inclusion of young
It provides an agenda for argument with the International Financial
Institutions as to their responsibility to help build democratic policy
of the global economy. people is not guaranteed; foundations and to end conditionality that destroys the social
contract and is a catalyst for social unrest. The ITUC will introduce
if fundamental human and labour rights are not enforced including a global report that demonstrates where multilateral institutions
mandated due diligence with grievance and remedy; and and governments are failing in this regard.
“We still wonder whether we should go to
vote or not; if we go, the CPP wins. If we do if environmental responsibility for net-zero emissions and The global trade union movement’s commitment to democratic
not go, the CPP still wins.” biodiversity protection with ocean and water purity are not all high rights and freedoms means workers are on the front lines of
on the political and legislative agenda and accounted for in annual struggles against increasingly autocratic governments and the
Noan Sereiboth, sociologist, Cambodia
accounts, then trust can never be rebuilt. extreme right. We will work with affiliates and our regions to target
countries where democracies that serve and include people are
“Behind Cambodia’s electoral silence”, Moreover, if people are not guaranteed voting rights and fair electoral under attack as well as companies that deny workers’ rights and
Eduard Merigo boundaries and processes, and if they are not engaged beyond the base their business model on exploitation.
ballot box through consultation, tripartite structures and social dialogue
along with other measures that capture the voices of the community, Where governments repress workers’ rights, the ITUC will act.Democracies for People: Change the Rules
Reframing Government Planning and Reporting
Living Standards Economy
Cost of Living GDP
T
Wage Growth GDP per Capita
Minimum Wage Balance of Trade
Average Wage Inequality
National Poverty Benchmark Net Jobs Growth/ Full Employment
Gender Employment Gap
R
BUILDING THE POWER OF WORKING PEOPLE
Tax, Social Protection & Public Services
Adequacy and Coverage of Social Protection Democratic Rights and Freedoms
Coverage of Services - Health, Education, Child Care and Human Rights
U
Aged Care Labour Rights
Other Public Services Right to Protest and Freedom of Speech
Tax Revenue Data Privacy and Surveilance Protections
Tax Equity Workplace Democracy
S
Collective Bargaining
Environment
Progress Towards Net-Zero Emissions Engagement of People
Workplace Health and Safety Policy Consultation
T
Adaption Ensures Climate Resilience Voting Rights
Agreed Just Transition Measures for Climate and Tripartite Institutions and Processes
Technological Change Community Meetings with Government Leaders
Managing Resources to Protect Planetary Boundaries Anti-corruption Institutions and Measures
Reduction in Pollution including Air, Water and Oceans Internet Access and Electronic Access to Government to
Strengthening Biodiversity Ensure Transparency
TRANSPARENCY AND ACCOUNTABILITY
RULE OF LAWGlobal Risks Global and National Targets Global and National Actions
Increasing Authoritarianism - 90% of Latin America’s economy Governments - where affiliates are making demands on them and Support affiliates in countries heading towards elections,
is controlled by right-wing governments. campaigning to reframe democracy and rebuild trust. especially with voter outreach and multi-media campaigns
promoting union concerns.
Rights Under Attack - 95% of countries exclude workers from Corporations, including data monopolies, and groups supporting
some or all rights. and enabling/normalising fascism, authoritarianism and the Encourage politicians who are addressing working people’s
destruction of democracy by extreme-right groups. concerns.
Age of Anger - 85% of people want to change the rules of the
global economy. International Financial Institutions where policy or conditionality Target Saudi Arabia to end modern slavery.
is undermining just democracies.
Young People Give Up on Democracy - Only 30% of Americans Map internationalisation of extreme-right groups.
born in the 1980s think it’s “essential” to live in a democracy while Politicians and media groups which fuel hatred and division.
just 32% of European millennials see democracy as one of their Support the ETUC campaign for A Fairer Europe For Workers.
top five most important social values.
Campaign for a Labour Protection Floor for all workers including
Informal Jobs on the Rise - 40% of the global workforce suffers informal, self-employed and platform workers.
in informal work. Countries like India have up to 93% of people
in informal work, and the rise of platform business across all New flagship report – the economic and social outlook beyond
economies is increasing informal work where rights and minimum GDP.
incomes are not guaranteed.
Briefing report – central bank mandates and full employment.
Unemployment - Officially 193 million people are jobless, but
this underestimates the challenge of full employment.
Wage Decline - 59% of people in work are only just managing,
struggling to make ends meet or not managing at all.
9Frontline Campaign: A New Social Contract
Overview
Participation of Women
The global economic model has failed working people. The power These protections are for all workers including those in informal
A Labour Protection Floor and greed of huge global corporations have captured work, in self-employment and in platform businesses.
governments, which are acting against the rights and security of
their own workers. Ninety-four per cent of the global workforce Beyond that floor, the elements of a New Social Contract will be
Strengthened Collective Bargaining is a hidden workforce where the obscurity of business contracts different in different contexts, depending on what unions decide
Social Dialogue facilitates exploitation and oppression, including modern slavery. to demand.
Universal Social Protection
The prevailing low-wage, short-term or precarious contracts and Governments are responsible for the rule of law and compliance.
often unsafe work environments that dominate supply chains, Equally, it is their responsibility to convene unions and employers
along with the absence of regulatory environments and social in social dialogue to ensure the elements of the New Social
protection that would formalise informal work, cannot stand as a Contract beyond the Labour Protection Floor are also agreed,
basis for the decent work that SDG Goal 8 calls for – nor can we where necessary through legislation, and are funded. Mandated
accept the rise of platform businesses that use technology to due diligence in supply chains with grievance procedures that
deny all responsibility for employment and other obligations. deliver remedy must be part of the law.
An economy fuelled by denial of freedom of association and Employers must ensure that the Labour Protection Floor is
exploitation is inhumane and constitutes both an economic and implemented in their operations and that collective bargaining is
a political risk, as it drives people towards right-wing extremism. strengthened. Equal treatment of women and all marginalised
The world is three times richer than twenty years ago, yet seventy workers along with Just Transition measures for both climate
85% of countries per cent of people are still denied universal social protection,
eighty-four per cent of people say the minimum wage is not
action and technology must be negotiated with trade unions.
have violated the enough to live on and eighty-one per cent of countries have For the International Financial Institutions, it means that their
right to strike. allowed violations of the right to collective bargaining – this is
inequality by design.
policies and conditionality cannot undermine the Labour
Protection Floor and the New Social Contract.
The world needs a New Social Contract. For the ILO, it means being at the centre of international
policymaking, taking the lead that other institutions must follow.
“This government is appalling, it is That New Social Contract must be underpinned by universal
undermining workers’ rights and rights in social protection and a Labour Protection Floor which A New Social Contract will ensure significant progress regarding
general. Behind its big speeches, Fidesz is encompasses the four elements contained in the ILO Centenary the SDG goals that the ITUC Congress recognised as priorities.
Declaration:
betraying the people, for the benefit of the
multinationals.” • ILO fundamental rights
Lajos, retired biology professor, Hungary
• Occupational health and safety also as an ILO fundamental
“The deregulation of overtime in Hungary right
has triggered a social uprising”,
• An adequate wage
Corentin Léotard
• Maximum limits on working hours
10A New Social Contract
c t for workers with b
tra usi
on ne
l C Just Transitions for ss
cia Climate and Technology a
nd
So
go
ew
Mandated Due Dilligence, Global Standards and
ve
Grievance and Remedy Regulation for Business
AN
rnm
Tax, Public Services and Rights and Data Privacy
ent
Universal Social Protection in Digital Businesses
Formalising Informal Equal Economic
Work Healthy and Safe Participation of Women
Workplaces Free
Skills from Violence and Lifelong Learning
Harassment
Rights for Migrant Workers
Wages
and Refugees
A Labour Protection Floor for all workers:
Adequate Minimum Fundamental Rights Maximum Hours
Wages including of Work
Occupational Safety
and Health
UN Treaty on Freedom of Social Dialogue and
Business and Association Strengthened
Human Rights Collective
BargainingGlobal Risks Global and National Targets Global and National Actions
Collective Bargaining Under Attack - 80% of countries have National governments for collective bargaining and minimum Campaigns - Global, regional and national for universal social
violated the right to collective bargaining. living wage mechanisms. protection.
Declining Wages - 59% of people in work are only just managing, Governments and IFIs to ensure universal social protection. Regional wage campaigns: 100% Africa, Dignity, Wages; Asia
struggling to make ends meet or not managing at all. Fights for +50; Europe Needs a Pay Rise; Cerrar La Brecha.
UN Treaty on Business and Human Rights.
Informal Work - Less than 69% of workers have formal contracts. Investment in the Care Economy advocacy and campaigns.
National governments mandating due diligence.
Failure to Provide Universal Social Protection - 70% of people Promote collective bargaining (in multilateral institutions and,
are not covered. IFIs and national governments to realise economic equality for along with affiliates, with national governments) as the best way
women. to achieve wage growth and fair distribution of wealth.
Poverty - More people go to bed hungry than the world claims
to have lifted out of poverty. Reform of the WTO with the Labour Protection Floor as the floor Reform competition policy to allow collective bargaining for non-
of fair competition. standard forms of work.
Progress for Women Has Stalled - Just 48% of women are in the
workforce, compared to 75% of men. ILO standards and government regulation of platform businesses. Campaign and advocacy support for national legislation for
mandated due diligence (UN Guiding Principles).
Men control twice as much wealth as women and 86% of the IFIs - monitoring and challenging policy and conditionality that
world’s companies. undermine a New Social Contract. Exposing Amazon as the world’s corporate leader in monopoly
power and exploitation – representative of giant digital companies.
Corporate Greed - 82% of wealth generated goes to the richest
1% of the global population. Promoting ILO Centenary Declaration as basis for Labour
Protection Floor and New Social Contract
Monopoly Power - 10% of publicly listed companies control 80%
of the world’s wealth.
Uberisation of the Economy - New business models use
technology to avoid responsibility for employment.
12Frontline Campaign: Just Transition for Climate Ambition
Overview
Climate change left unchecked threatens everyone and will leave Unions must be engaged in dialogue at all levels to ensure that
whole regions uninhabitable. More frequent extreme weather the Just Transition measures are agreed and are adequate to
events with lasting devastation are already destroying jobs and build people’s trust in a process that they understand is urgent.
livelihoods. Without Just Transition, the ambition we need will be blocked by
fear – often fear that is fuelled by corporate greed, extremist
Hothouse earth is our lived experience with heat records, rapidly politicians and violation of rights.
melting glaciers and ice-shelfs, “polar vortex” episodes, frequent
forest fires and floods, toxic oceans and rivers and biodiversity In 2020, governments will again make commitments to ambition
loss. More than eighty-three million climate refugees have fled for reducing emissions in accordance with the Paris Climate
from disaster and have lost livelihoods. The social and economic Agreement. The year ahead is critical for demanding action from
costs are already evident. politicians and from employers.
We have eleven years to stabilise the planet at a 1.5 degree Students across the world are taking action and so must we. We
temperature rise, yet governments are not taking responsibility will mobilise towards the COP in Chile in 2019 and in the UK in
for the high ambition that is vital. Every government must raise 2020 with demands on our governments. Equally, we must make
its ambition and determine national development plans including demands on employers. In June we will again invite our affiliates
Just Transition measures to protect workers, their families and to work with their workplace delegates to ask all employers to
their communities. Every employer must have a plan for climate meet with them to discuss plans to climate-proof work and
proofing their operations, and Just Transition measures must be workplaces.
2018
global emissions of CO2
at the heart of such plans.
There are no jobs on a dead planet – the alternative
hit new high. is to build good jobs on a living planet.
“The transition to clean energy is very
important because in Puerto Rico we
suffered the onslaught of Hurricane Maria,
and many of the deaths were people with
health issues who depended on electric
machines.”
Rosalina Alvarado, science Teacher, Puerto Rico
“Puerto Ricans want a clean and just
energy future”,
Nithin Coca
132018
2018
»»Last five years warmest on record 2013 - 2018.
»»Ocean temperatures hottest on record.
»»Global emissions of carbon dioxide hit new
high.
»»World has more climate refugees than conflict
refugees.
GOAL
ACTION
2019
Reduce Emissions – 1.5
2019
Negotiations; Days of Action
Government Lobbying; Global
»»One billion workers deal with dozens of
additional extreme weather days.
»» June - Global Day of Workplace Action
»» September - UN Climate Summit + Global Day of Action
»» October – Pre-COP Costa Rica
»»November - Scientists say world is 11 years from
irreversible climate change impacts.
»» December – COP 25 Chile.
Just Transition for Climate Ambition
GOAL
ACTION
2020
2020
»» Review of National Development Contributions.
»» November – COP 26 United Kingdom.
National Action Plans
Timeline and Tipping Points
Respond to Climate Disasters
2030
2030
»»Loss of equivalent of 72 million
jobs due to heat stress.
2050
2050
»»UN predicts 250 million
displaced people worldwide.
GOAL
ACTION
Transition Roundtables,
2080
Industrial Transformation
Workplace Organising; Just
JUST TRANSITION IS THE PATHWAY TO HIGH AMBITION – DECENT JOBS ON A LIVING PLANET
»»600 million people could
2080
suffer from malnutrition.Global Risks Global and National Targets Global and National Actions
Irreversible Global Warming - The world needs to cut carbon National governments through UNFCCC/COP26 to secure the Organising for climate- proof workplaces and secure jobs.
dioxide emissions by 50% in the next ten years. Paris Agreement with ambitious NDCs and national development
plans for economic diversification and Just Transition. A “Climate Proof Our Work” global day of action.
Hot House Earth - Glaciers are retreating almost everywhere
around the world.- ILO implantation of the Just Transition Guidelines. Expanding Just Transition roundtables and support unions in Just
Transition commissions and committees.
Rising Sea Levels Threaten Cities and Small Island States - Increased numbers of Just Transition Commissions at country/
Global sea levels rose eight inches in the last century. sector/city levels. Government lobbying for climate ambition and Just Transition.
Employers through collective bargaining for climate- proofing. Global negotiations for climate action through UNFCCC.
Global Day of Action for Just Transition and high ambition.
15Pillar 1: Peace, Democracy and Rights
Overview
The ITUC’s Founding Declaration of Principles commits us to Through the solidarity of our affiliates, support for countries at
promote and to act for the promotion of democracy everywhere. risk is central. And organising for migrant rights and the elimination
This is the only foundation for democratic rights and freedoms. of slavery in all its forms is fundamental to ensure democratic
Peace is dependent on democracy and decent work and a world rights and freedom for all workers.
free of weapons of mass destruction, as well as on progress
towards general disarmament. Peace, democracy and rights is For workers denied fundamental rights, the campaign for a Labour
also a foundation for realising the SDGs. Protection Floor is critical.
In many parts of the world, unions are on the front lines of conflict The global risk of nuclear rearmament requires us to join with
and struggles for democratic rights and freedoms. The ITUC allies in support of the Nuclear Weapon Ban Treaty (TPNW)
Global Rights Index details a rise in the number of countries where entering into force and to protect the Nuclear Non-Proliferation
conflict, authoritarianism and right-wing governments are Treaty (NPT); a global arms race is emerging and must be stopped.
destroying democratic space, rights and freedoms including
freedom of association, collective bargaining and the right to
strike. Labour activists must be recognised as both human rights
defenders and peace builders.
Peace, Democracy and Rights
Thematic
Countries at Risk Migration and Slavery Peace and Disarmament
Areas
Goals 1. Claim democratic space. 1. Eliminate slavery. 1. Treaty on the Prohibition of
2. Establish a Labour Protection 2. Rights for migrant workers. Nuclear Weapons (TPNW) enters
Floor. into force.
3. Support Universal Social 2. Recognition of the role of trade
Protection. unions in peacebuilding.
172019 Highlights
• International solidarity actions led to the release of arrested • Government of Qatar abolishes exit permits for workers,
Fijian, Korean, Kazakh and Zimbabwean union leaders, and introduces a minimum wage and strengthens labour
affiliates used the HTUR Rapid Response Mechanism to co- administration as part of commitments made in the 2017 ILO
ordinate global actions. agreement.
• Strong conclusions in the CAS were achieved for Turkey, Brazil, • Legal clinics on migrant worker access to justice in Qatar and
India, Kazakhstan, Fiji, Zimbabwe and the Philippines. Jordan.
• The annual Global Rights Index is growing in authority and • Migrant Recruitment Advisor expanded to Kenya, Sri Lanka,
visibility with increased exposure of shrinking democratic Hong Kong, Qatar, Bahrain and Jordan, and now covers 10
space and escalating attacks on workers’ rights. countries.
• Ten new ratifications of ILO Forced Labour Protocol 29, • Campaign for the ratification of the Treaty on the Prohibition
including major economies such as Canada, Germany and of Nuclear Weapons developed and alliances built with
Russia. Total ratification is now at 36. traditional and new strategic partners.
• Global support for campaigns in India (Modi Must Go) and • Leadership demonstrated by unions in Ethiopia and Eritrea,
Argentina (Macri Must Go). Colombia and the Philippines on the role of trade unions in
• SDG Alliance 8.7 report on slavery in supply chains presented peacebuilding. In Italy, dockworkers have refused to load
to the G20 in Japan. shipments to Saudi Arabia with arms that could be used for
the war in Yemen.
Challenges
• The systematic follow-up of CAS conclusions, using them as • Expand peace building campaigns in more countries.
tools to drive change. • Trade union priorities reflected in EU regulation on development
• Continue high visibility campaigns where criminal charges policy.
remain against union members previously arrested (e.g., • Foster initiatives to support affiliates via TUDCN organisational
Kazakhstan). capacity.
• The establishment or restoration of fundamental rights and
social dialogue in countries at risk.
• New ratifications of C87 and 98.
• Achieve 50 ratifications of the ILO Forced Labour Protocol 29
by 2020.
• Expand Recruitment Advisor and establish a sustainable
migrant worker organising platform.
18Plans for 2020
The number of countries where
• Build campaign actions to promote the NPT and TPNW. • Investigate the capacity to take national court cases to defend
• Build recognition of the role of unions in peace building with the right to strike. workers experienced
arrests and
affiliates in conflict zones and climate disaster areas with • Expand the reach of the Recruitment Advisor, expand
strategic plans and expand intergenerational conversations cooperation agreements between sending and receiving
detention
and union advocacy on ILO R205 and SDG 16. countries and advocate for legislation of ILO fair recruitment
• Work with affiliates in countries in categories 4 and 5 of the principles.
Global Rights Index with a specific set on demands on
governments and develop rapid response capacity for unions
• Work for elimination of Kafala systems of modern slavery in
Gulf countries and maintain the campaign for ratification of the increased from fifty nine
in 2018 to sixty-four in 2019.
facing repression. C29 Protocol, support affiliates in negotiating national anti-
• Maintain the flagship Global Rights Index and use it in national slavery action plans and monitor implementation.
activities designed to claim democratic space. • Targeted support for affiliates campaigning for the right to
• Legal clinics to support affiliates on labour law reforms. work, resettlement and equal treatment for refugees.
• Support national campaigns for ratification of Conventions 87
and 98 and expose violations by countries and companies.
• Work towards recognition of occupational health and safety Lead Department - Human and Trade Union Rights
as a fundamental right at work
“I am angry with the government because
• Expose IFI conditionality, which damages rights, social the situation has taken away our dignity,
protection, secure jobs and collective bargaining. especially as women. We cannot feed our
families. We cannot even afford to get to
work by normal means. Imagine as a woman
having to travel in a pick-up truck just to get
to work because conventional transport is
now unaffordable.”
Getrude Tembo, second-hand clothing vendor,
Zimbabwe
“In Zimbabwe, an unpopular government
is lashing out because “it fears its own
people”,
Christopher Mahove
19Pillar 2: Regulating Economic Power
Overview
Regulating economic power is the only answer to the failed global The world needs a New Social Contract, and while the ILO has
economic model and its destructive impacts. In addition, new commemorated its 100th anniversary, the conditions for
frontiers have emerged with the monopoly dominance of giant widespread social unrest and economic instability still exist. The
technology companies and the power they exercise by controlling ILO was conceived in 1919 as a means to prevent mass conflict,
data as well as platform businesses with a business model that and the Philadelphia Declaration too grew out of the mass
has little or no connection to national laws, taxation systems or destruction of World War II and the Great Depression. The world
employment responsibility. must learn the lessons of the last century and recognise that
economic security and rights are cornerstones of peace.
Now governments are even entering bidding wars with taxpayers’
money to buy the physical location of corporate giants in their A New Social Contract must have a Labour Protection Floor for
countries or cities. all workers with adequate minimum wages, fundamental rights
and occupational health and safety, and maximum limits on
As corporate monopoly power grows, so does the opposition to working hours as set out in the ILO Centenary Declaration.
freedom of association and collective bargaining. Further, we must see a new standard on platform business.
Corporate and financial power can only be tamed by a determined Equally, the ILO has the authority to be a lighthouse in the
regulatory approach at national and international level. crumbling multilateral system and to meet the vital need for reform
as a global economic and social authority – that goes beyond
GDP – to provide a barometer of the true state of the world.
Regulating Economic Power
Thematic
Jobs, Shared Prosperity Corporate Power Multilateralism
Areas
Goals
1. New Social Contract with floor of 1. UN Treaty on Business and 1. Multilateral reforms to include
labour guarantee. Human Rights. labour rights and union
2. Standard for digital business. 2. Nationally mandated due participation.
3. Fair taxation and public services. diligence and access to remedy.
3. ILO Supply Chains Convention.
202019 Highlights
• SDG tracker tool to rank countries on their performance • Involvement in ILO wage adequacy project to provide
regarding Goal 8 and expose governments on their indicators to support national wage.
commitments. • Manual on how to use the IFI safeguards for unions.
• Trade unions represented at the United Nations SDGs High- • Key trade union priorities reflected in the “Private Sector
level Political Forum. Engagement Principles” of the Global Partnership for Effective
• Supported affiliates engagement through SDG 8 campaign Development Cooperation (GPEDC) feeding into SDGs, HLPF,
and with the 12 trade union SDGs country reports produced. OECD and EU processes.
• Model human rights due diligence law developed. • A zero-cancer campaign kit.
• Mapping of Chinese companies and investment abroad is
underway.
• Wage increases for the poorest workers in several countries
including Nigeria, El Salvador, Ethiopia, Vietnam and Malaysia,
supported by regional wage forums.
Challenges
• Corporate campaign against Amazon, and trade union forums • Improve the IFIs’ job tracking tool to assess not only the jobs
on digitialisation. created but also their quality.
• Increase organising campaigns for wages and against • Acceptance of labour conditionalities in trade agreements at
corporate targets, with legislation for the Labour Protection the WTO Ministerial Conference in June 2020.
Floor for all workers and universal social protection. • Enhance trade union engagement on the SDGs at national,
• Develop a corporate strategy on Chinese companies; regional and global level and foster social dialogue as a means
investment identified and mapped in Africa and Asia. of implementation of Agenda 2030.
• Increase the number of countries developing legislation on • Fight for tax justice and progressive taxation.
human rights due diligence.
• ILO decision on standard setting to regulate behavior of
corporations including a Convention on Supply Chains.
• Expose the failure of structural adjustment/austerity.
21Plans for 2020
• A new flagship report - The ITUC Economic and Social Outlook
to be released at the time of the IMF/World Bank meetings.
• Maintain the dialogue with the G20 and the G7 on multilateral
reform, investment in jobs through infrastructure and the care 59%
• Maintain exposure on rights violations in supply chains,
continue to lobby for a UN Treaty on Business and Human
economy, social protection and raising labour income share
through minimum living wages and strengthened collective of people in work are
Rights and work with affiliates for nationally mandated due
diligence, grievance efforts and remedy legislation.
bargaining.
• Lobby for the acceptance of labour conditionalities in trade
only just managing,
• ILO technical meeting exposes governance gaps in supply agreements at the WTO Ministerial Conference in 2020. struggling to make ends meet or
chains and decides on standard setting. • Support the Global Deal for cross-border dialogue and not managing at all.
• Develop corporate strategies on Chinese companies, with collective bargaining.
investment identified and mapped. • Support national legal challenges on the right to strike.
• Improve the IFIs’ job tracking tool to assess not only the jobs • Strengthen the Committee on Workers’ Capital.
created but also their quality. • Assess the scope for coordinated campaigning on tax. “Nobody wants to take responsibility for
• Economic policy briefs on social protection and reform of the paying us what we are owed.”
WTO. Saepudin, textile worker, Indonesia
• Deepen the reach of the Centre for Sport and Human Rights Lead Department: Legal
to ensure the sports industry complies with fundamental rights
“Indonesia’s textile workers face a tough
including in supply chains.
• Deepen the global wages and social protection campaigns at battle for severance pay”,
regional and national level. Laura Villadiego
• Expand regional forums on platform workers.
22Pillar 3: Global Shifts - Just Transitions
Overview
The global challenges of climate change and the economic and Technology can provide opportunities that can benefit working
social disruption of rapidly changing technology are huge global people, but it will also disrupt jobs and current supply chains.
shifts facing working people. These global shifts require just Digitalisation, automation and data all need to be managed to
transitions. protect and improve jobs and living standards. Full employment
remains a key goal of the union movement.
The lack of ambition on climate change has the world heading
towards more than 3.5 degrees above current temperatures. With Just Transition measures including global and national regulation
the IPCC prediction that there is just a decade to stop this trend, are vital. Global governance of technological shifts must include
ambition is critical. Just Transition is the pathway to high ambition. a new standard on platform business; global standards on data
Unions must be at the table at all levels to negotiate the Just management, including protection and privacy; surveillance
Transition measures required to ensure trust in the necessary protections; and more. These require union intervention and
shifts in energy, and in technological advances to ensure both cross-border social dialogue, with the collective bargaining
mitigation and adaptation across all industries and sectors. strength needed to ensure Just Transition and employment plans.
Global Shifts - Just Transitions
Thematic
Industrial Transformation and Just Transition – Climate Industrial Transformation – Future of Work
Areas
Goals
1. Just Transition for climate ambition through strong 1. A global standard for governance of digital platform
union participation/representation in developing businesses.
national climate plans. 2. Surveillance protection and worker control over data.
3. Tax rules on digital business.
232019 Highlights
Climate and Just Transition • ILO Centenary Declaration recognises Just Transition to a
future of work that contributes to sustainable development in
• Twenty-two affiliates took part in the first “Climate-Proof Our its economic, social and environmental dimensions.
Work” #CPOW global day of action in June. • Trade union advocacy strengthened the relevance of social
• Unions supported the call for global mobilisation in September dialogue in SDGs: Just Transition study.
to coincide with the UN Secretary General’s Climate Summit,
and building on the Silesia Declaration from COP24 in Poland, Technological Shifts
the UN Summit featured a commitment on “Advancing a Just
Transition and the Creation of Green Jobs for All for Ambitious • Establishment of Labour Protection Floor in the ILO Centenary
Climate Action” with commitments from renewable energy Declaration, as well as Just Transition in technological change,
companies to decent jobs and respect for labour standards. life-long learning, privacy and data protection.
• National climate plans include provisions for Just Transition • Recognition of “Fair Transition” in OECD Artificial Intelligence
for workers; Spain, Germany, New Zealand and Canada have Principles (with TUAC) and
made national commitments. • Ethics Guidelines for Trustworthy on Artificial Intelligence for
• Union participation in the Green Climate Fund (GCF) Board to European Union (with ETUC).
press for promised commitments of US$100 billion per year,
and for social and labour standards criteria for projects.
Challenges
Climate and Just Transition Technological Shifts
• Ensure social dialogue and collective bargaining with climate • Introduce ILO Centenary Declaration commitments into law
relevant provisions at workplace and industry level. and practice.
• Use 2020 Paris Agreement review process to increase • Ensure social dialogue and collective bargaining on
ambition and create social dialogue mechanisms. technological transformation.
• Ensure ILO Centenary Declaration commitments are taken up • Strengthen connections between workers’ data privacy and
in the ILO’s Green Jobs program and standard setting agenda broader regulatory demands on digital businesses.
on Just Transition for 2020. • Ensure that proposals for e-commerce agreement do not
undermine trade union concerns.
24Plans for 2020
2013-2019
Climate and Just Transition Technological Shifts Last six years
• Expand the work of the Just Transition Centre in supporting • Map data protection and technology governance laws that
warmest on record.
unions to negotiate Just Transition measures. impact the world of work and democratic rights.
• Participate in the UNFCCC - COP negotiations. • Map the breakdown in competition policy and identify key
• Workplace Day of Action – Climate Proof Our Work #CPOW. areas for advocacy.
• Mobilise for ambition in the lead-up to the UN Climate Summit • Campaign for the Labour Protection Floor as the foundation “I’m seeing a lot of changes. Climate change
and the COP in 2020 where Nationally Determined for a New Social Contract. is here. Fifteen years ago, we would already
Contributions – NDCs – are to be reviewed by all governments. • Share best practice in collective bargaining to ensure be on sea ice in November, looking for
• Develop campaigns for social protection coverage and Just protection.
something to hunt, but nowadays there is no
Transition in relation to climate and technology changes. • Build best practice from unions and support affiliates regarding
use of digital technologies. ice at all.”
• In partnership with the GUFs, expose the business model and Kyle Sage, Iñupiat, Alaska
monopoly power of Amazon and its exploitation of workers.
• Document the exclusion of women in technological shifts. “Alaska: home of the next internal
• Map initiatives to extend internet connectivity to the remaining displacement caused by climate change“,
fifty per cent of people and support affiliate efforts to influence
Alberto Barba Pardal
policy and practice.
Lead Department: Economic and Social Policy
25Pillar 4: Equality
Overview
Progress for women has stalled and discrimination, harassment from sexual harassment, and it includes family law, property rights
and violence are again on the rise. The ITUC Congress Statement and other freedoms or entitlements.
stressed our responsibility to frame a feminist agenda that is
focused on the equal economic participation of women and Our determination to change the rules includes legislative change.
women’s leadership everywhere. Workforce participation of With the new ILO Convention, this will remain a focal point, with
women is below fifty per cent, and unpaid care has risen to the domestic violence leave a priority.
value of nine per cent of global GDP. Investing in care is a priority
for raising women’s participation in the workforce. The pay gap All groups at risk of marginalisation must find a home in trade
is still twenty-three per cent and social protection, care and unions. The first priority will be to organise to include all workers.
minimum living wages with stronger collective bargaining remain We are committed to building youth leadership and to supporting
the solutions to eliminate this discrimination. unions working for rights and for equal treatment for our
indigenous people, LGBTQI+ people and those with a disability.
Business cannot continue discriminatory practices without
exposure. Workers and their families must know and trust that unions are
there for them.
Women on average have only three-quarters of the legal
protections given to men during their working life with only six Equality is central to realising the SDGs.
countries providing equal rights and protections. This ranges
from bans on entering some jobs to a lack of equal pay or freedom
Equality
Thematic
Economic Integration of Women Organising against discrimination and exclusion
Areas
Goals
1. Equal participation of women in the labour market. 1. Increase representation of marginalised workers in
2. Eradication of violence and harassment in the world unions.
of work.
262019 Highlights
• Strong affiliate participation, and broad international coalition, • National advances including new law increasing paid maternity
in campaigning and lobbying for an ILO Convention and leave from 60 to 105 days (Philippines); landmark equal pay
Recommendation to stop gender-based violence in the world legislation comes into force (Iceland); Irish trade unions launch
of work. Childcare Policy Paper and Campaign for Northern Ireland,
• A comprehensive and inclusive Convention and calling for dedicated social dialogue forum; UK unions win
Recommendation was adopted at the Centennial ILC. equal pay claim in Scotland after “biggest ever” UK equal pay
• Strong partnership with Global Union Federations around strike.
investment in care and decent work for care workers. Global • Progress continued on women-in-leadership positions (for
Unions day of action in support of investment in the care example, FTUC Fiji achieved 55 per cent representation of
economy and gender equality on 7 October (World Day for women on its Executive Board; COSATU South Africa, KSBSI
Decent Work). Indonesia and EDLC Egypt all elected their first woman
president).
Challenges
• Continue organising care economy workers and campaign for • Map trade union actions to represent and promote the rights
investment in the care economy and care jobs. of marginalised workers.
• Increase action to achieve forty per cent women’s • Strengthen action to increase representation of workers
representation in trade union leadership. affected by discrimination and inequality.
• Ensure trade union involvement in the 25-year review and
follow-up of the Beijing Declaration and Platform of Action.
• Sensitise unions on the contents of the new instruments.
• Secure wide ratification and implementation of the new ILO
instruments on violence and harassment including five
ratification commitments by June.
27Plans for 2020
• Ratification and implementation campaign for the new
Convention and inclusion of its contents in collective
• Leadership training and development of leadership programme
for women. Legal discrimination
bargaining, social dialogue and policy.
• Support affiliates in the push for domestic violence leave
• Support women in peace building.
• Workers’ hearings to expose the injustice of working lives for
women cost over
against
through bargaining and legislation.
• National activities to support affiliates campaigning for
women.
• Initiating the “Worst Companies in the World for Women” list.
US$2 trillion in lost
formalisation and investment in care. • Target organising campaigns with ITUC regions and affiliates earnings worldwide each year.
• UN Commission on the Status of Women: a focus on social to include identified groups of marginalised workers.
protection and access to public services. Participation in
Beijing + 25 review – regional and national level follow-up;
conduct “Generation Equality” forums in 2020. “I lost that job because they wanted me to
• Contribute to the regional campaigns for social protection and work longer hours and I couldn’t do it. I have
minimum living wages. to collect my son from school, cook the
Lead Department: Equality
meals, and everything else. It wasn’t
possible. So now we survive somehow.”
Jana Molková, cleaner, Czech Republic
“The battle for gender equality rages on
in the Czech Republic”,
Clare Speak
28Annex I: Summary Frontlines and Pillars
Frontline :
Pillar 1: Peace, Democracy and Rights
Democracies for People – Change the Rules
Thematic
Countries at Risk Migration and Slavery Peace and Disarmament
Areas
Goals 1. Claim democratic space. 1. Eliminate slavery. 1. Treaty on the Prohibition of
2. Establish a Labour Protection 2. Rights for migrant workers. Nuclear Weapons (TPNW) enters
Floor. into force.
3. Support Universal Social 2. Recognition of the role of trade
Protection. unions in peacebuilding.
Pillar 2: Regulating Economic Power
Frontline : A New Social Contract
Thematic
Jobs, Shared Prosperity Corporate Power Multilateralism
Areas
Participation of Women
Goals
1. New Social Contract with floor of 1. UN Treaty on Business and 1. Multilateral reforms to include
A Labour Protection Floor labour guarantee. Human Rights. labour rights and union
2. Standard for digital business. 2. Nationally mandated due participation.
3. Fair taxation and public services. diligence and access to remedy.
Universal Social Protection 3. ILO Supply Chains Convention.
Social Dialogue
Frontline : Pillar 3: Global Shifts – Just Transitions
Just Transition for Climate Ambition
Thematic
Industrial Transformation and Just Transition – Climate Industrial Transformation – Future of Work
Areas
Goals 1. Just Transition for climate ambition through strong 1. A global standard for governance of digital platform
union participation/representation in developing businesses.
national climate plans. 2. Surveillance protection and worker control over data.
3. Tax rules on digital business.
Pillar 4: Equality
Thematic
Economic Integration of Women Organising against discrimination and exclusion
Areas
Goals 1. Equal participation of women in the labour market. 1. Increase representation of marginalised workers in
2. Eradication of violence and harassment in the world unions.
of work.
29Annex II: Sustainable Development Goals and Targets – Trade Union Highlights
Goal 1 - End poverty in all its forms everywhere Goal 4 - Ensure inclusive and equitable quality Goal 8 - Promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable
education and promote lifelong learning economic growth, full and productive employment
1.1 - By 2030, eradicate extreme poverty for all people everywhere, opportunities for all and decent work for all
currently measured as people living on less than US$1.25 a day.
4.1 - By 2030, ensure that all girls and boys complete free, 8.5 - By 2030, achieve full and productive employment and
1.2 - By 2030, reduce at least by half the proportion of men, equitable and quality primary and secondary education leading decent work for all women and men, including for young people
women and children of all ages living in poverty in all its to relevant and effective learning outcomes. and persons with disabilities, and equal pay for work of equal
dimensions according to national definitions. value.
4.3 - By 2030, ensure equal access for all women and men to
1.3 - Implement nationally appropriate social protection systems affordable and quality technical, vocational and tertiary education, 8.6 - By 2020, substantially reduce the proportion of youth not
and measures for all, including floors, and by 2030 achieve including university. in employment, education or training.
substantial coverage of the poor and the vulnerable.
Goal 5 - Achieve gender equality and empower all 8.7 - Take immediate and effective measures to eradicate forced
1.4 - By 2030, ensure that all men and women, in particular the women and girls labour, end modern slavery and human trafficking and secure the
poor and the vulnerable, have equal rights to economic resources, prohibition and elimination of the worst forms of child labour,
as well as access to basic services, ownership and control over 5.2 - Eliminate all forms of violence against all women and girls including recruitment and use of child soldiers, and by 2025 end
land and other forms of property, inheritance, natural resources, in the public and private spheres, including trafficking and sexual child labour in all its forms.
appropriate new technology and financial services, including and other types of exploitation.
microfinance. 8.8 - Protect labour rights and promote safe and secure working
5.4 - Recognise and value unpaid care and domestic work through environments for all workers, including migrant workers, in
1.5 - By 2030, build the resilience of the poor and those in the provision of public services, infrastructure and social particular women migrants, and those in precarious employment.
vulnerable situations and reduce their exposure and vulnerability protection policies and the promotion of shared responsibility
to climate-related extreme events and other economic, social within the household and the family as nationally appropriate. 8.b - By 2020, develop and operationalise a global strategy for
and environmental shocks and disasters. youth employment and implement the Global Jobs Pact of the
5.5 - Ensure women’s full and effective participation and equal International Labour Organization.
1.b - Create sound policy frameworks at the national, regional and opportunities for leadership at all levels of decision-making in
international levels, based on pro-poor and gender-sensitive political, economic and public life.
development strategies, to support accelerated investment in
poverty eradication actions. 5.a - Undertake reforms to give women equal rights to economic
resources, as well as access to ownership and control over land
Goal 3 - Ensure healthy lives and promote well- and other forms of property, financial services, inheritance and
being for all at all ages natural resources, in accordance with national laws.
3.8 - Achieve universal health coverage, including financial risk
protection, access to quality essential health-care services and
access to safe, effective, quality and affordable essential
medicines and vaccines for all.
3.9 - By 2030, substantially reduce the number of deaths and
illnesses from hazardous chemicals and air, water and soil
pollution and contamination.
30Goal 10 - Reduce inequality within and among Goal 13 - Take urgent action to combat climate Goal 17 - Strengthen the means of implementation
countries change and its impacts and revitalise the global partnership for sustainable
development
10.1 - By 2030, progressively achieve and sustain income growth 13.2 - Integrate climate change measures into national policies,
of the bottom 40 per cent of the population at a rate higher than strategies and planning. 17.4 - Assist developing countries in attaining long-term debt
the national average. sustainability through coordinated policies aimed at fostering
Goal 16 - Promote peaceful and inclusive societies debt financing, debt relief and debt restructuring, as appropriate,
10.4 - Adopt policies, especially fiscal, wage and social protection for sustainable development, provide access to and address the external debt of highly indebted poor countries
policies, and progressively achieve greater equality. justice for all and build effective, accountable and to reduce debt distress.
inclusive institutions at all levels.
10.5 - Improve the regulation and monitoring of global financial 17.10 - Promote a universal, rules-based, open, non-discriminatory
markets and institutions and strengthen the implementation of 16.1 - Significantly reduce all forms of violence and related death and equitable multilateral trading system under the World Trade
such regulations. rates everywhere. Organization, including through the conclusion of negotiations
under its Doha Development Agenda.
10.6 - Ensure enhanced representation and voice for developing 16.3 - Promote the rule of law at the national and international
countries in decision-making in global international economic levels and ensure equal access to justice for all. 17.13 - Enhance global macroeconomic stability, including through
and financial institutions in order to deliver more effective, policy coordination and policy coherence.
credible, accountable and legitimate institutions. 16.4 - By 2030, significantly reduce illicit financial and arms flows,
strengthen the recovery and return of stolen assets and combat 17.17 - Encourage and promote effective public, public-private
all forms of organised crime. and civil society partnerships, building on the experience and
resourcing strategies of partnerships.
16.5 - Substantially reduce corruption and bribery in all their forms.
16.6 - Develop effective, accountable and transparent institutions
at all levels.
16.7 - Ensure responsive, inclusive, participatory and representative
decision-making at all levels.
31You can also read
