Trade Unions welcome the emphasis on decent work and social dialogue in the Council conclusions on Post-2015

Brussels, 29 May 2015 – The Trade Union Development Cooperation Network – TUDCN welcomes the emphasis given to decent work as a driver of sustainable development, as mentioned in the Council conclusions on a New Global Partnership for Poverty Eradication and Sustainable Development after 2015, approved by EU Member States on 26 May 2015.

The Council conclusions mention in paragraph 14 that “ Full and productive employment and decent work, including implementation of labour standards guided by, amongst others, ILO conventions and recommendations, are key to addressing inequality and social exclusion . There should be adequate social protection floors and inclusive and equitable development measures should be integrated in relevant socio-economic policies. The right of social partners to freely negotiate and conclude collective agreements is essential. Social dialogue is crucial to strengthen democracy and to enhance transparency. In addition, to combat inequalities national legislation, policies and practices should be inclusive and ensure access to affordable, adequate and quality services and goods without discrimination.

TUDCN positively welcomes this political positioning of EU Member States and encourages them to push forward this stance at the upcoming Financing for Development (FfD) Conference in Addis Ababa in July 2015 and at the UN Sustainable Development Summit in New York, September 2015.

TUDCN regrets however the soft position of the Council regarding tax havens, capital flight and illicit financial flows. The EU should engage in ending tax havens – some of which are EU based – and should support an intergovernmental tax body. Moreover, there should be more political support to create a legitimate international debt workout mechanism, following the UNGA resolution on the matter.

Read the key demands of the TUDCN May 2015 advocacy seminar on Post-2015 and FfD here.

Read here the TUDCN response to the EC Communication on Post-2015.

Read the TUDCN position on FfD and on Post-2015.