News

Global unions are strongly backing calls by the Philippines government for urgent action on climate change following the recent Typhoon that cost thousands of lives in the Southeast Asian country.

Typhoon Haiyan ripped through the nation earlier this month causing widespread devastation. According to the United Nations, around 11 million people have been affected, up to ten thousand may have died, and many more have been left homeless.

The Philippines government has appealed to the U.N. Climate Change Conference, currently taking place in Poland, for urgent international leadership on climate change.Yeb Sano, the climate negotiator for the Philippines spoke to the U.N. conference, and declared he will go on hunger strike in solidarity with those affected until a resolution is reached.

"What my country is going through as a result of this extreme climate event is madness," said Sano, whose family comes from the devastated town of Tacloban where the typhoon Haiyan made landfall.  "We can stop this madness.  Typhoons such as Haiyan and its impacts represent a sobering reminder to the international community that we cannot afford to procrastinate on climate action."

UNI General Secretary Philip Jennings said, “I speak on behalf of 20 million workers worldwide in sending our sincere condolences to the victims of this catastrophic event. UNI is in touch with its affiliated unions in Philippines to assess what assistance we can provide.

“At this time, we look to the United Nations to show leadership in the face of an ever growing international threat from climate change. We must act now if we are to stop events such as Typhoon Haiyan from costing millions more lives in years to come.”

ITUC General Secretary Sharan Burrow said, “The scientific consensus on climate change is clear, and catastrophic events like Typhoon Haiyan will only continue to multiply the longer the world delays action. People are paying with their lives while the powerful anti-climate lobby continues to block solutions.

“Our hearts go out to the families who have lost loved ones, and had their houses and livelihoods destroyed. Trade unions around the world are asking their members to donate generously to the relief efforts, and our Philippines partners are right now evaluating how best the global trade union community can help.”