As world leaders continue meeting at the Conference in New York on the World Financial and Economic Crisis and its Impact on Development, (24-26 June, 2009), civil society, including trade unions is deeply concerned that the outcome document to be adopted formally tomorrow in no way measures up to the scale and depth of the economic meltdown, which is most evident in the jobs crisis.
The ILO estimates unemployment will rise by up to 58 million whilst some further 200 million people will join the ranks of those who work but earn less than USD $2 per day. The number of people receiving unemployment benefits increased on average by 53 per cent between May 2008 and February 2009 in emerging and industrialized countries, whereas for 80 per cent of the rest of the world’s population benefits are not even an option since they have no social protection coverage at all.
“The Conference document contains specific references to decent work, the creation of which must be at the heart of the response to the crisis. We welcome the fact that the ILO is invited to present its Global Jobs Pact to the July meeting of ECOSOC. Now the member states have to deliver. We look forward to a roadmap outlining concrete actions to ensure its implementation, with a special focus on job creation programs in Africa” commented Kuglo Lawson Body, Chief Economist from ITUC-Africa.
In addition, the danger of girls being forced into child labour is heightened due to the fact that in many countries families give preference to boys when making decisions on education of children. This is further exacerbated by the cuts in national education budgets, and a decline in remittances of migrant workers, as these remittances often help to keep children in school.
“Civil society and trade unions are therefore calling on Member States to urgently act on some of recommendations of the outcome document presented yesterday in order to initiate an inclusive, democratic process towards real and lasting solutions to the crisis. The Stiglitz Commission recommendation of devoting 1% of the stimulus for developing countries should be implemented by western governments,” said Jens Martens from the Global Policy Forum.
According to ILO statistical modeling, less than 2% of GDP is required globally to provide a basic set of benefits to all the world’s poor, and only 6 % is needed to provide a basic set of benefits to all who lack coverage.
“We know that most of the global stimulus has gone to bailing out banks, with nothing going to developing countries. But instead of using the crisis to fund a basic package of social protection for all, rich governments are intent on supporting the modus operandi of institutions such as the IMF which through their conditionalities force countries to cut their social spending,” added Mirjana Dokmanovic, from the Women’s Working Group on Development.
You can take action for Decent Work and social protection in three easy steps TODAY:
• Sign the Call to Action for Decent Work (www.decentwork.org)
• Participate in the Global Day for Decent Work on October 7 2009 (http://www.wddw.org)
• Learn about the ILO’s Campaign on Social Security and Coverage for All (http://www.ilo.org/public/english/protection/secsoc/events/campaign.htm)