From the 27th to the 28th of September the TUDCN Asia-Pacific network hosted a regional meeting in Bangkok, Thailand. Over 30 participants came together to share experiences and coordinate trade union engaging in development policy in the region. Much of the work was focussed on Trade Unions' approach to Agenda 2030 and included a panel discussion and working groups. Finally, nominations were gathered for the Asia-Pacific regional Steering Committee of the TUDCN. The full report is available here.
TUDCN African Steering Committee Meeting
The Steering Committee Meeting of the African Trade Union Development Network took place in Lomé, Togo on the 6th and 7th of October 2016. Participants, who represent some of the most active Trade Unions on development policy in Africa, reviewed and updated the regional strategy for impacting development policy. In particular, work was undertaken on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) proposed indicators. The meeting documents are available here, a meeting report will follow shortly.
Policies and advocacy
Supporting private sector with development funds: Putting the cart before the horse?
This article by Paola Simonetti, Coordinator of the TUDCN, highlights some of the most controversial issues relating to the role of private sector in development as recipient of development assistance resources. The analysis revolves around the effective use of aid funds, according to the development effectiveness principles and commitments of ‘country ownership’, ‘accountability’ and ‘development results’.
Takeaways from the Busan Partnership Forum and the 11th Steering Committee
The third annual Busan Partnership Forum of the Global Partnership for Effective Development Cooperation (GPEDC) took place just weeks in advance of the 2nd High Level Meeting scheduled for end November in Nairobi. The forum was immediately followed by a meeting of the GPEDC steering committee. Both the forum and the steering committee offered a space for constituents to reflect on the work of the GPEDC since its inception, and gave way to exchanges of ideas on the future of the partnership, especially in light of the adoption of the Agenda 2030 for Sustainable Development and the Addis Ababa Action Agenda (AAAA). Trade unions were represented by a small delegation including national unions FFW Philippines and FKTU Korea.
The EU Policy Forum on Development (PFD), the structured dialogue between the European Commission and CSOs and local authorities working on development, organised its regional Africa meeting in Dakar on 3-4 October 2016. Discussions covered topics including the Agenda 2030, the upcoming revision of the Cotonou Partnership Agreement in 2020 and the issue of migration. A Trade Union delegation participated in the event.
Trade Union position on the revision of the European Consensus on Development
Decent work and social dialogue to leave no one behind is the title of the Trade Union position paper on the revision of the European Consensus on Development. It outlines concise recommendations in four key areas: inclusion, equality and decent work; private sector accountability; climate change and just transition; and financing for development. This document complements the Trade Union submission to the EU's consultation process.
The Senior Level Meeting of the OECD’s Development Assistance Committee (DAC) took place from the 10th to 11th of October 2016. Trade Unions were present to provide their perspective on key issues up for discussion. Among the key areas of discussion was the current work on modernising the definition of ODA, the setting of a program of work on blended finance, the development of a new Total Official Support for Sustainable Development measure (TOSSD), reporting from working group on refugees and migration, updates on effective development cooperation and the reform of the DAC.
CNV Internationaal push for global standards on SDG 5
By Corita Johannes, CNV Internationaal
On the occasion of World Day for Decent Work CNV Internationaal organised a broad stakeholder meeting and a working session on Gender Based Violence on the work floor. Representatives of trade unions, the Dutch government, private sector, knowledge institutes and civil society organisations were invited to join the debate about what would be the most effective way to eliminate this brutal form of discrimination and contribute to achieve Sustainable Development Goal 5 on gender equality.
Quebec's FTQ is active on international cooperation
By Denise Gagnon, Fédération des travailleurs et travailleuses du Québec (FTQ)
Quebec's Federation of Labour (Fédération des travailleurs et travailleuses du Québec - FTQ) continues to be an actor in international cooperation and development initiatives. While recent governments have not promoted this approach, the FTQ is now aiming to ramp up its advocacy work in this field. We take a closer look at what they've been up to.
Gender equality is central to achieving decent work
The crosscutting nature of the Sustainable Development Goals is none more evident than for the link between Sustainable Goals 5 (gender equality) and 8 (decent work). The Fundación 1 de mayo, a foundation set up by Spain's Comisiones Obreras union, chose to honour this mutual reinforcement on World Day for Decent Work. Read the article in the latest edition of their magazine.
The Global Deal: together for decent work and inclusive growth
The Global Deal is a global initiative with the objective of jointly addressing the challenges in the global labour market and enabling all people to benefit from globalisation. It is a multi-stakeholder partnership that aims to encourage governments, businesses, unions and other organisations to make commitments to enhance social dialogue. It is based around the evidence that effective social dialogue can contribute to decent work, quality jobs and increased productivity and thus to greater equality and inclusive growth.
The United Nations Conference on Trade and Development's (UNCTAD) annual "Trade and Development Report" notes rising debt and inequality levels. The report warns that current economic challenges may be more difficult to manage than the 2008 global financial crisis. It diagnoses that:
Financial markets are chastened but unreformed, debt levels are higher than ever and inequality continues to rise (...) most of the downside adjustment has fallen on debtor countries and working families, with wages, employment and welfare provision under constant pressure from a return to austerity measures.
United Nations and business community, out-sourcing or crowding in?
To close the funding gap for the Sustainable Development Goals and up-scale their UN landmark agreements, Member States have insisted on the vital and central role of the “private sector,” or more accurately, the big business sector. At a global level, the embrace of partnerships with the business sector brings with it a number of risks, side-effects and spill-over effects that have not received careful consideration regarding compatibility with UN mandates. Responsibilities need to be more than just generically “shared”—they must be well delineated and defined, grounded in norms that protect the collective public interest. They must draw a clear distinction between those who regulate and those who are regulated.
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Upcoming events
TUDCN regional network meeting of the Americas (Sao Paulo)
25-28 October 2016
TUDCN WG Trade Union partnerships meeting (Brussels)
14 November 2016
TUDCN Open Coordination Meeting (Brussels)
15-16 November 2016
Brainstorming with the ILO on social dialogue in development (Brussels)
17-18 November 2016
Second High-Level Meeting of the Global Partnership for Effective Development Cooperation (Nairobi)
27 November to 1 December 2016
This document has been produced with the financial assistance of the European Union. The contents of this document are the sole responsibility of the ITUC and can under no circumstances be regarded as reflecting the position of the European Union.
