Labor & Employment Law

October 7: World Day for Decent Work

By James Parks

From the 175,000 people at the One Nation Working Together rally Oct. 2 to the hundreds of thousands in mass demonstrations across Europe last week, workers are demanding elected leaders stop talking about creating jobs and actually get down to the business of putting people back to work. Today is the third annual World Day for Decent Work, and those  voices will reach a crescendo across the globe as workers take to the streets on every continent to say: ?The only way to end the global economic crisis is to create decent jobs with living wages, benefits and a dignified retirement.”

In Japan, union members will march and rally today in 50 cities. Dozens of marches, conferences and youth meetings are scheduled across Africa, Europe, South America and Australia. Altogether, workers have planned more than 285 events for today to raise their voices. Check out some of the plans on a special here.

AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka said in a statement supporting the European demonstrations last week:

During this economic downturn, creating good jobs and helping those who have lost their jobs are defining issues not only for Americans?but for all workers throughout the world. We need a global economic recovery that works for all working people.  

Young workers, who have been hit particularly hard by the lack of jobs and looming cuts to education and training, will be leading many events, including using ?flash mobs? and social networking, to put their own stamp on the protests. Similarly, networks of women and union members will call attention to the growing poverty of women and children around the world.

Sharan Burrow, general secretary of the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC), says (see video above):

Decent Work Day?will increase pressure on governments to put in place positive solutions to the crisis, instead of simply slashing government spending to satisfy money markets. Good jobs and social protection are needed to get people back into work, support families in their time of greatest need and lay the foundations for sustainable growth to restore government finances.

Full post as published by AFL-CIO NOW BLOG on October 07, 2010 (boomark / email).