News

UNI Global Union welcomes the G20’s new emphasis on jobs and growth and President Sarkozy’s call for an end to tax havens and his backing for a financial transaction tax.



Speaking at the G20 in Cannes, Philip Jennings, General Secretary, UNI Global Union said, “Austerity measures are no longer the only game in town. The fight back against the deficit and austerity hawks is now being waged as the G20 calls for an action plan that emphasises jobs and growth. There has been a shift in their thinking thanks to the strident efforts of the unions, NGOs and the global protest movements.”



The official G20 communiqué from Cannes refers specifically to the importance of social protection, quality jobs, and respect for basic trade union rights, collective bargaining and social cohesion. Jennings welcome the statement and said that it was particularly pleasing that the G20 had re-iterated that there would be no going back to the pre-crisis set-up and the too big to fail mentality.



Jennings said, “Because of the drama in Greece perhaps the financial institutions who got us into this mess in the first place thought they would get a free ride. But the G20 has made it clear in Cannes that the golden age of these money lenders is over. It is time to throw them out of the temple. We welcome the G20’s renewed commitment to clean up the financial regulatory sector.”



The G20 has also made a commitment to the core labour standards of the ILO which is a strong message that union busting tactics anywhere will not be tolerated.



“Trade unions now have a seat at the table via the L20 and we are being heard along with other authentic voices such as NGOs and the Occupy movement,” added Jennings.



Watch Philip Jenning's interview on CNN International here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wpjK9S4D2Yg



Watch interview on CNBC here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8oLkw5OlS9U



Read the article posted on the CNBC website here: http://www.cnbc.com/id/45144820



Listen to World Radio Switzerland interview here: http://worldradio.ch/wrs/news/switzerland/union-pushes-job-creation-at-g20-for-the-99-percen.shtml?27388