Trade unions call on IMF and World Bank to support higher employment growth and workers’ rights

INTERNATIONAL TRADE UNION CONFEDERATION
ITUC OnLine
006/180111

(Washington D.C., 18 January 2011): A delegation of over 60 trade union leaders from all parts of the world is beginning a 3-day series of meetings in Washington D.C. with the Managing Director of the IMF, the President of the World Bank and other senior officials, as well as with the Executive Directors of those institutions.

“In view of the continuing unemployment crisis worldwide, it is vital that the IMF and World Bank recognise the importance of maintaining global economic stimulus until recovery is assured,” stated ITUC  General Secretary Sharan Burrow.

The union delegation will be calling on the IMF to take a position against the attacks on wages and workers’ rights contained in the austerity programmes implemented in countries such as Ireland and Romania, as well as to advance the case for a financial transactions tax (FTT).

Discussions with the World Bank will focus on the twin challenges of developing protection of labour standards in Bank-supported loan programmes and of ceasing attacks on labour protection in the Bank’s notorious “Doing  Business” publication, as well as considering the Bank’s role in the extension of social protection worldwide.

Trade union views on the world economic situation are detailed in a new statement on trade union priorities for the French Presidency of the G8
and G20 in 2011 that has just been released: http://www.ituc-csi.org/trade-union-priorities-for-the.html

The ITUC represents 176 million workers in 151 countries and territories and has 301 national affiliates.