ADB President Kuroda with some members of the trade union delegation
In its annual flagship publication, Asian Development Outlook 2010, the Asian Development Bank (ADB) forecasts a ‘robust growth’ of 7.5% in 2010 and a 7.3% in 2011 for developing Asia. Yet, the economic crisis has thrown millions of people out of work and destabilized working conditions for workers around the world. Women, young, older and migrant workers are particularly affected.
The Global Union Federations – including Public Services International (PSI), Building and Wood Workers’ International (BWI) and UNI Global Union (UNI) are urging the Bank to collaborate with trade unions on workable solutions. The crisis is accelerating the shift from secure and permanent employment to that of precarious work. There can be no recovery, post-crisis or otherwise, unless concrete measures to end the jobs crisis are put in place.
At the ADB-Global Union Federation Forum in Tashkent on 3 May I gave a video presentation (click here to access the video) and insisted on the fact that any ‘post crisis agenda’ for Asia must include decent jobs, respect for workers’ rights, and the provision of quality public services. Economic stimulus packages must target job preservation and creation and focus on social protection which is central to sustainable recovery and growth.
Public Services International is calling on the ADB to take specific and immediate action to:
- Create a Labour Desk that is adequately funded and supported by experienced staff to ensure ILO core labour standards and the Decent Work Agenda are applied.
- Engage in joint project research with global union federations and our affiliates
- Open opportunities for labour to second staff to the ADB
- Work with us to jointly develop a meaningful social dialogue process.
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