Including You on May Day
The fight against global inequality will once again come to the streets as millions around the world protest against the unconscionable greed of the 1 percent at the expense of the working poor and the unemployed. This is unacceptable and goes against the principles of the trade union movement which we celebrate today.
UNI Global Union’s General Secretary Philip Jennings will take this message leaders gathered at the OECD Forum in Paris next week. Jennings will address the issue of “Quality Jobs & Inequality” during the “Inclusive Societies” Session.
Jennings said, ““Quality jobs and an end to widening global inequality are the North Star of a sustainable recovery. The average income of the richest 10% is almost ten times that of the poorest ten percent across the OECD countries and the gap is increasing, confirmed by OECD research. This is bad for democracy, economic growth but above all it is bad for the people.
There is now a compelling shift in evidence that not only is this neo-liberal model unfair, designed by and for the 1%, it is also bleeding the economy of vitality and purchasing power. It’s time to put people back into the equation. The most vulnerable groups including youth are feeling the brunt of skewed policies designed to protect the rich in name of economic growth. Last week I was in Korea where inequality is rife. A warning on how fractured a society can become.
The financial crisis which began in 2008 has become a chronic condition which is paralysing the global economy. Precarious work, including involuntary part-time, temporary work and zero hours contracts are a disease eating into the heart of our communities. Precarious work is a trap that is damaging people’s lives.
The most vulnerable groups including youth are feeling the brunt of skewed policies designed to protect the rich in name of economic growth.
The solution is to include everyone in the recovery, decent jobs, healthcare and education. An evener spread of the world’s wealth would make this an achievable goal.”
Jennings added, “May Day should also be a moment to reaffirm our commitment to Breaking Through and organise workers and support their fight for freedom of association and collective bargaining. UNI chose the theme Including You for its 4th World Congress in Cape Town, in December. Inclusion is the key to recovery. We need sustainable jobs. Workers deserve a living wage: that is the message I will take to the OECD in Paris next week and on to Cape Town.