Governments Urged to Act on UN Jobs and Social Protection Call

http://www.ituc-csi.org/governments-urged-to-act-on-un.html The ITUC has welcomed calls by UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon for governments to act on job creation and universal social protection in a report being presented at the UN Commission on Social Development. The report and its recommendations are being discussed at the UN Economic and Social Council meeting in New York from 1-10 February. It acknowledges that the economic policies advised by international financial institutions over the last three decades, marked by deregulation, liberalization and privatization, have failed to address the root causes of poverty. The Report also reflects the trade union view that increasing workers’ bargaining power has a positive impact on reducing poverty and inequality, and that “the provision of minimum wages and employment protection can be important tools for an equitable distribution of productive opportunities and inclusive growth.” Importantly, the report recommends that governments consider the implementation of national social protection floors as a means to provide systemic insurance against poverty for all.The UN Secretary-General’s http://daccess-dds-ny.un.org/doc/UNDOC/GEN/N11/590/98/PDF/N1159098.pdf?OpenElement Advice ITUC web www.ituc.org