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Writing in the New Statesman, UNI Global Union General Secretary Philip Jennings calls on the British Labour Party to build an economy based on UNI's mantra, "Including You."



By Philip Jennings



Brick by brick the coalition government is building the economic wall higher between the top one per cent and the country’s working families. A Low Paid Britain – a two tiered economy in which the hollowing out of decent jobs means millions are being pushed into the margins of poorly paid work.



The government boasts of a return to growth but the reality is that it’s a one-sided growth and has only worked for some. For every member of the top one per cent there are millions more being denied the chance of a living wage, being able to plan for their families’ future and to a secure retirement.



The Labour Party was founded on the notion of the dignity of work. This dignity is dissolving because work and workers are being devalued. Where is the dignity in zero-hour contracts, precarious work, slum wages and working conditions, and unemployment? There is a failure to look at work as wealth creation.



At UNI, we are looking to create a new thinking in businesses big and small. A race to the bottom is ultimately dysfunctional for business and for economic vitality. Insecure jobs corrode confidence, wellbeing and hope.



Our policy is “Including You,” and a policy of inclusive growth should be the North Star of labour thinking. The consequences of not bringing about economic inclusivity are clear; the warning signs are everywhere - in social unrest and a shrinking wage share in the wealth produced.



We saw the very worst of this model with the Rana Plaza factory collapse in Bangladesh, which cost the lives of 1,129 people.



The workers had spotted cracks in the building the previous day but were told to return to work or lose their pay. UNI Global Union and IndustriAll took a bold step. We produced a legally binding agreement for fire and building safety in Bangladesh.



Today, almost 90 global brands, including British names such as Tesco, Primark and Marks & Spencer, have signed up. The likes of Matalan, River Island and Peacocks must do the right thing and join them.



To achieve true growth which includes the garment worker in Bangladesh - connected to the UK by the global supply chain - as well as the British teacher, security guard and call centre employee, workers must not be denied the dignity of work. Britain will regain competitively when it returns this lost dignity by delivering on a living wage, training and further education. It must also provide social safety nets that not only help families through the crisis but allow them to adapt to an ever changing global workplace.



Globalisation, the instability of finance markets, and advances in technology has left the workforce more vulnerable than at any time in recent history. The world must create 600 million jobs in the next ten years just to stand still. We have to invest like never

before in human capital and job creation.



The coalition government has discovered its ‘nasty party’ edge with the vilification of the working poor. You won’t build human capital by pursuing the coalition-led race to the bottom. We require stronger labour institutions in which unions have a seat at the table. The market alone will not deliver improving living standards.



The private sector certainly has an important role to play. At UNI we recognise the benefit of maintaining constructive dialogue with multinationals. We have secured 50 global framework agreements and have built union alliances at multinational giants such as IKEA, H&M and Carrefour. They maintain labour standards across their global networks.



Only through a return of dignity to the workplace will Ed Miliband’s dream of One Nation become a reality. From low skilled to high skilled, from security guard to accountant, dignity

means a voice on the job, access to lifelong learning, further education, and a living wage.

One Nation needs industrial relations pillars beyond the minimum wage. Workers need a voice on the job and it’s time for industry-wide wage structures to bring fair competition that benefits responsible employers and drives out the wage cowboys.



The Labour Party’s success will be measured by the progress of working people, in knocking down the economic wall and rebuilding a country founded on an inclusive economy. This is the vision we know the party leader shares with the wider labour movement.



We look forward to seeing Prime Minister Ed Miliband addressing the 2018 UNI World Congress in the UK and the realisation of One Nation - built on the dignity of work.