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UNI Global Union’s General Secretary Philip Jennings said, “Let’s call time on the ultra austerity measures that have clearly failed. Five years on from the beginning of the crisis its intellectual basis has been discredited and its results catastrophic. Europe’s economy has become a laughing stock under the misguided leadership of the Troika with a record 19.2 million out of work in the Eurozone. Globally the number of unemployed stands at more than 200 million and is still rising.



This week on French language television I was asked what can be done to advert the “lost generation”, the millions of under-25’s across Europe who cannot find work. In Greece and Spain youth unemployment has past 50%. 40% of youth have been on the dole for more than a year – forgotten – this is not acceptable. Austerity has killed consumer demand and job growth. Equally, there is no adequate preparation for the world of work. We need to build a bridge from the classroom to the workplace. We will not get them into work without a change in the economic and political line. My message to Frau Merkel and the austerity hawks is it’s suicidal to argue there is no other option. Their ready-to-wear, one size fits all solutions leave individual countries no margin to manoeuvre and the result is economic stagnation. There is no silver bullet to solve unemployment but austerity is killing the chance of recovery. We must embark on an active policy for the labour market which includes youth. In Europe alone by spending 1% of GDP we can guarantee every young person a place on a training scheme. Business must not turn its back on its responsibility to recruit and train youth. This is an investment in the future they must take or face the consequences – a lost generation and social disintegration. We will not have a sustainable future while CEOs are earning 1750 more than the average pay. These levels of inequality are unsustainable and crippling the economy.



Next week I will be in South Africa for the UNI Africa Executive Committee. I will also attend the Word Economic Forum on Africa in Cape Town where I will tell leaders that job creation also has to be central to Africa’s future success. The African continent may be experiencing annual growth of more than 5% and a developing middle class but with more than 120 million Africans expected to join the labour market in the next decade, a pan-continental jobs' plan is essential. Africa cannot afford to waste the human capital that will take it from a developing continent to hub of global growth. In South Africa alone youth unemployment is off the scale with a third of children not completing basic schooling. We have to build a bridge between school and work and ensure growth is inclusive. We are calling for youth to be given a break in terms of education, training and work. If not, expect levels of social unrest to continue to rise. African youth will find its voice and rise up in peaceful protest as the Occupy movement and the Indignados have done elsewhere.



Jobs is the number one issue not only Europe and Africa but across the globe where all our affiliates are fighting hard to win and deliver decent work. We cannot and do not accept the inevitability of a lost generation of youth, in Europe, in the Americas, in Africa or in Asia. If we do nothing to advert this human tragedy the repercussions will be millions more blighted lives and social disintegration on a global scale. Am I optimistic that we can get win the fight for jobs? Yes, as Nelson Mandela said, “It always seems impossible until it's done.”