Economic and Social Policy
Globalisation and Global Governance
A globalised world economy requires effective global governance. The ITUC seeks to increase intergovernmental cooperation to ensure that the social dimension of globalisation, including decent work and fundamental workers’ rights, is right at the centre of decision-making at world’s major global and regional institutions. This includes the World Bank, International Monetary Fund, World Trade Organisation, United Nations and its specialised agencies, especially the International Labour Organisation (ILO) with its tripartite structure and mandate to set international social standards.
The ITUC also works with its Global Unions partners to promote effective rules governing the behaviour of private business. We seek to achieve international frameworks for social dialogue and collective bargaining, and systems of corporate governance that hold management accountable for the social impact of business activities.
This requires a combination of campaigning and mobilisation with advocacy and lobbying so that the policies of these institutions and companies support, rather than undermine, the achievement of decent work for all. This includes action around:
— Trade, investment and labour standards
— Health and safety at work and sustainable environmental practices
— Global governance
— The social responsibilities of business including global social dialogue
— Social protection and sound legal employment relationships
— Trade union organising
— Fighting HIV and AIDS
— Combating child labour and forced labour
A major focus of ITUC work is to ensure full and universal respect for the Fundamental Workers’ Rights of the ILO, which guarantee the right to organise in a trade union, the right to collective bargaining, protection from discrimination, and the elimination of child labour and forced labour.