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ITUC/TUAC issued their evaluation of the outcomes of the L20 Summit held in Moscow, Russia. The Summit took place amidst downwardly revised growth and employment forecasts disclosed jointly by the OECD and ILO ahead of the scheduled G20 Ministerial meetings.



Trade union representatives acknowledged the Ministerial Declarations supporting investment in jobs and social policies and the strengthening of aggregate demand. The trade union movement recognises and welcomes this change in discourse but remains watchful nonetheless, and calls for commitment from G20 leaders to implement the call for a comprehensive jobs and investment plan.



Despite the change of tone from Labour and Finance Ministers, it is not certain that the public outcry against the dramatic increase in global unemployment and worsening of working conditions will be heard by G20 Leaders. The trade union movement unanimously calls leaders meeting in St. Petersburg on 5-6 September 2013 to address increasing unemployment and commit to a Jobs plan promoting good quality employment, access to social protection, decent wages and the reinforcement of collective bargaining.



Trade union representatives reiterated to Labour Ministers the urgent need to implement measures that reverse the increases in unemployment, inequality and slow growth. Emphasis was also placed on the need to strengthen the global minimum social protection nets, reduce informal and irregular forms of work, and bring about a long-term investment programme to boost aggregate demand.



Despite the good intentions of Labour and Finance Ministers, the reality is crudely different: The Troika imposes strict fiscal consolidation and structural reforms, austerity measures, the flexibility of labour markets and the deregulation of collective bargaining structures are dominating the policy responses to the financial and economic crisis.



The G20 Summit must be used an opportunity to bring back hope to the young generation of workers and working families that continue suffering under current austerity policies. A regain in confidence is possible but policy action is needed now. A recent ITUC poll evidenced this drop in confidence with 80% of voters believing that governments have failed to deal with unemployment.



UNI Global Union Secretary General Philip Jennings said:



“These misguided austerity measures have failed. They have failed to end the slump and they have failed to create jobs even though people are desperate to work." 



“It’s time to back growth rather than austerity. We need to put money back into the pockets of working families and we call on G20 leaders to create a jobs and investment plan that helps rather than hurts.”



ITUC Secretary General Sharan Burrow said:



“Over 200 million unemployed, growth forecasts down, families struggling to put food on the table with low wages, yet there is no sense of urgency amongst our leaders." 



“G20 leaders must acknowledge the urgent need to take action to address rising unemployment and inequality.”



UNI Europa Regional Secretary Oliver Roethig said:



“World leaders must listen to the global outcry. It is unacceptable to pursue austerity policies when global unemployment is rising above 200 million."



"A comprehensive jobs plan is needed urgently. Spending cuts do not deliver. Investment in decent jobs and curbing the intolerable rise in inequality must be the priority to exit the financial and economic crisis."



"The Labour and Finance Ministers issued their recommendations. Now, World leaders must turn this rhetorical commitment into reality.”



ITUC/TUAC Evaluation of the L20 Summit can be accessed in the Related Files tab.