The World Day for Decent Work (7 October 2008) is a timely global campaign for decent work in the region. Under one uniform global action plan to demonstrate a united ITUC presence globally, union action on the four pillars of decent work – Standards, Employment, Social Protection and Social Dialogue – will be visibly highlighted on that day by all affiliates in their local context and should attract media attention locally and globally.

ITUC-Asia Pacific Statement for the World Day for Decent Work 7th October 2007

Globalisation has generated wealth. However, the income share of labour in GDP has been considerably declining and the gap between the rich and the poor is fast widening. Income inequity is conspicuous across the globe.

Poverty reduction is unbelievably slow. In the past ten years, U.S.2$ a day working poor globally declined only 10%. 44% of total employment, 1.3 billion working women and men, are still under this income category.

Due to flexible labour market policy, employment satiation has been drastically changing, from formal employment to informal and atypical workforce. Affiliates report that, in their countries, more than 90% workers are working in informal economy and 30% or 50% of total employment are atypical workforce. With this surge in precarious employment, no wonder such income inequity grows and poverty reduction remains slow.

Women Youth is the most affected segment of population. Global unemployment stands at 6%, while youth unemployment 12.3%. Evidenced gender pay gaps everywhere are numerical evidences of gender inequality.

Under the unbridled capitalist globalisation, effective trade union movement is crucial to rectify the current course of globalisation in following two main areas:

First, high union density and a strong and united voice of workers in countries and across the region. Trade union organisations are vital instruments for direct distribution of wealth in terms of working conditions and employment.

Second, institutional reform in labour laws, Social Safety Nets and Taxation/Fiscal policies. Labour laws and their implementation in compliance with ILO conventions are essential base for effective trade union operations and firm social partnership, and, with such a trade union strength, Social Safety Nets and taxation/fiscal policy, important mechanisms for re-distribution of national wealth, can be established and further improved.

On this day of World Day for Decent Work, we, the ITUC-Asia Pacific, reaffirm our commitment to pursue Decent Work across the region.

Together with all affiliates, we are determined to further strive for better conditions of work and life of working women and men and their families, for gender equality, and for human rights and social justice.

7th October 2007
Noriyuki Suzuki General Secretary, ITUC-Asia Pacific