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(Photo DFID)

UNI Global Union has joined with the ITUC in  backing a UN call for Europe to accept, initially, up to 200,000 migrants and for European countries to work together to handle the massive inflow of people from the Middle East and Mediterranean.  UN High Commissioner for Refugees António Guterres has called for a common strategy, based on responsibility, solidarity and trust.

UNI Global Union General Secretary Philip Jennings said, “The people have spoken – there has been a groundswell of support for the migrants to be welcomed across Europe, activists have been marching in the streets to show their support and organising convoys to pick them up. With some exceptions governments have been slow to respond. Governments need to be better prepared because this is only the start. We already have 300 million migrant workers but this is just a drop in the ocean compared to what’s to come with the predicted tidal wave of climate change refugees in the coming decades. The G20 must come up with meaningful solutions to the migrant crisis when they meet in November.

Sharan Burrow, ITUC General Secretary, said, “This is not only a crisis for Europe; it is a global crisis.  With some two million refugees already in Turkey, the world is faced with the biggest migration movement in 70 years, as people flee armed conflict and abject poverty.  Until the basic reasons that people are forced to flee their homelands are resolved, the migratory pressure will continue to grow.  Ordinary people, as individuals and through their unions, community and faith groups and sports clubs are showing the way to politicians – solidarity and compassion must be the guiding principles in this as in any other humanitarian crisis.”

Speaking for the European Trade Union Confederation, the ETUC, General Secretary Bernadette Ségol said, “Europe must share the burden equitably, and recognise that simply closing borders is not only wrong, but will not stem the flow.  Ultimately, the answers lie beyond Europe’s borders, and we call on European leaders, and the international community, to work together to tackle the root causes of this unprecedented flow of people.”

“It is encouraging that several European countries are showing their preparedness to accept substantial numbers of people fleeing persecution and war.  Others need to follow their example, and ensure that the new arrivals are able to integrate fully in their new countries, including with the right to decent jobs,” Burrow said.  “The failure of the Gulf States, which are the world’s richest and are deeply engaged in conflicts in the Middle East, to accept a fair share of refugees, is simply deplorable.”

The ITUC is calling for the G20 leaders to take responsibility for global solutions at their November Summit.  “Equally, global leaders need to work together to end the conflicts, particularly in Iraq and Syria, which are driving the migration crisis,” added Burrow.