The last informal Rio+20 negotiations session closed on Saturday, 2 June and the least we can say is that governments will have a heavy duty to give their Heads of State a draft Declaration that is worth signing.
When it comes to union priorities there is overall support for the broad concepts of Decent Work and Social Protection (including the floor). However, we face fierce opposition to concrete proposals: on the one side, developed countries (notably some more than other like the US, Canada, Australia and Japan; with EU and Switzerland as exceptions) oppose the launch of initiatives aimed at « doing something » with these concepts - the launch of a 'social protection for all by 2030' initiative supportive of ILO work on this issue as well as the adoption of a 'decent work for all' objective, aimed at eliminating working poverty, reducing unemployment, growing green and decent jobs and ensuring gender equity at the workplace. This leaves us wondering if some developed countries think that the challenges of unemployment and working poverty can be solved without cooperation at the international level.
On the other side, G77 (representing developing countries) opposes references to the need to promote the greening of all jobs and the creation of green jobs. How do they think we will build sustainable development if the world of work is not part of the transformation?
On a more general note, major discrepancies remain between governments on references to Rio principles such as
• Common but differentiated responsibilities and equity;
• the need for new financial resources and technology transfer to promote sustainable development (the Financial Transactions Tax has not been included yet as an option); and
• the extent to which Sustainable Development Goals will be developed in Rio or after.
Key union amendments will be distributed this week to all affiliates, for you to contact your government prior to the next PrepCom, which will be held in Rio de Janeiro (13-15 June) and the Rio Summit (20-22 June).
|
