As about four billion people in more than 60 countries go to the polls this year, the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC) has urged the World Bank to support the growth of democracy worldwide.
The global network of workers noted that even in countries that will not vote this year, working people are fighting for democracy at work, in societies and at global institutions.
In launching its campaign for democracy, ITUC said it believes that to protect and expand democracy in societies, governments must deliver for workers.
“At the centre of this campaign is our demand that governments embrace a new social contract, one that guarantees jobs, rights, wages, social protection, equality and inclusion,” it stated.
It submitted that for the equitable, sustainable development required to make the demands real, governments across the world cannot continue as they have in the past.
It added: “Unfortunately, many of our international institutions are stuck in old, failing models. For example, this year, the World Bank will begin releasing its new B-Ready reports, which will encourage countries to adopt a race-to-the-bottom in labour standards that undermines working conditions, erodes workers’ rights and makes a new social contract harder to achieve. From 19-21 April 2024, the World Bank and IMF will host their spring meetings. Sign the petition and, together, let’s send a clear message: it’s time for the World Bank to change course and support worker demands for a new social contract!”
ITUC holds that democracy is in grave danger, especially when governments are not listening to the calls of working people and their trade unions. The labour movement has consistently promoted good jobs as the surest foundation for sustainable growth is encouraged by the World Bank President, Ajay Banga’s focus on jobs.
However, ITUC expressed fear that the World Bank’s current direction only undermines its stated goals of ending extreme poverty and boosting prosperity on a livable planet. ITUC restated its opposition to the forthcoming B-Ready reports, which promote deregulation and flexibilisation.
ITUC also disagrees with the Bank’s interpretation of the digital and energy transitions as opportunities for deregulation, flexibilisation, and privatisation, rather than opportunities for expanding decent work.
According to ITUC, the World Bank’s continued promotion of narrowly-targeted social programmes and individualised private savings, undermine public social insurance at a time when it needs to be radically strengthened.
It noted that the forthcoming International Development Association (IDA) resource replenishment process, with its continued emphasis on jobs and economic transformation, should focus on creating better quality jobs and measuring their economic impact.
ITUC maintained that the Universal Social Protection (USP2030) partnership and the Global Accelerator on Jobs and Social Protection for Just Transitions can better align the World Bank with multilateral partners like the International Labour Organisation (ILO) to deliver on its goal of universal social protection.
It stressed that the challenges of the digital and energy transition provide a once-in-a-generation opportunity for investments in sustainable, equitable growth.
It added: “With this in mind, we demand that key institutions like the World Bank prioritise the counsel of working people and trade unions instead of promoting policies that have only served to harm us, undermine our trade unions, and sew political instability in our countries. In a time of crisis, the democratic legitimacy of our multilateral system depends on it. Now is the time for change.”
