Parallel and Side Events Contents Page

Sustainable development at work

Presented by the International Labor Organization (ILO)

Juan Somavia, ILO, said that over the last 10 years the important link between poverty and employment has received little attention. He explained that ILO seeks to link employment with growth and sustainable development, and recommended that the WSSD assign a high priority to the objective of sustainable employment.

Lord Brett, ILO, expressed disappointment over employment not being adequately reflected in the current WSSD agenda. He stressed that prerequisites for decent employment include: adequate globalization rules; corporate responsibility; the governments' actions to ensure equitable access to trade; removal of subsidies; and civil society's involvement in job creation.

Daniel Funes de Riosa, ILO, noted that businesses are a key element of public policies. He called for: the promotion of a declaration on workers' rights; the utilization of public expenditure and potential of globalization to create jobs; growth maximizing policies; the elimination of subsidies and trade barriers; and gender equality in employment.

Chung Eui-yong, the Republic of Korea, stressed the role of government in eradicating poverty, and stated that governments have the responsibility to: ensure good governance; create new job opportunities; build partnerships with businesses, workers, and international organizations; help people adapt to the changing conditions; and maximize creativity of the people while providing the minimum for the poor. Chung recommended emphasizing social issues in the WSSD outcomes.

Discussion: Participants discussed reasons for certain countries' resistance to incorporate social aspects in the WSSD outcomes, including fear of protectionism, lack of capacity to comply with ILO regulations, and economic advantages of maintaining the current situation. Participants also debated a proposal presented by the Belgian Minister of Economic Affairs regarding a social labeling scheme indicating producer's compliance with ILO standards. Some participants welcomed the proposal, while others highlighted the difficulty to guarantee credibility of labeling, highlighted its business implications, and advocated a cautious approach. A participant criticized the absence of a reference to the ILO and to the needs and role of agricultural workers in the WEHAB paper on agriculture. ILO representatives also answered questions regarding child labor and the ILO's work on youth employment.