Global Policy Forum

by the International Confederation of Free Trade Unions

Conclusions of the presentations and debates at the 3rd World Social Forum – Porto Alegre, Brazil, 2003 (ICFTU)

Given the breadth and richness of the discussions and proposals, these conclusions can only attempt to summarise what we felt to be the most relevant aspects of this event organised by the ICFTU, the WCL and the ETUC as part of the Third World Social Forum.

1. The current globalization process has deepened inequality and disparities between countries and continents, as well as within our societies. The creation and concentration of wealth have now increased, but so too have poverty and social exclusion – to an alarming and widespread extent. Almost half of the world population is living on 2 dollars or less per day. The main proponents and beneficiaries of globalization have been multinational companies and capital, not workers or citizens.

2. The current economic process is rooted in the neoliberal model supported by Washington and is generating record levels of unemployment, precarious and casual employment, poverty, insecurity and social exclusion. These human development deficits are affecting young people, women and older people alike. The model encourages exploitation of the worst forms of child labour and both new and old forms of forced labour; at the same time there has been an increase in violations of trade union and collective bargaining rights. It is also hindering the removal of gender disparities and of social and employment-based discrimination. 3. The neoliberal model has had a negative impact on social wellbeing and is incompatible with sustainable development. The implementation of liberalisation policies is minimising or even undermining state regulatory and supervisory powers, whilst conferring more power on international capital than on our societies and institutions, thus weakening the role of national governments. We need to rebuild democracy and the power structures, which should be accountable only to citizens.

4. The FTAA is becoming a classic instrument of neoliberal economic policies, advocated by the Washington Consensus, which we oppose. It is preventing the inclusion of a social and democratic dimension in the process of commercial and economic expansion, and makes no provision for social and material compensation to offset the pernicious effects of the disparities between the different economies on the American continent.

5. The international financial institutions (IFIs) and the World Trade Organisation (WTO) are failing to fulfil their original undertakings and are conspiring in the establishment of an unjust economic model, which is undermining democracy and not contributing to sustainable development or the governance of globalization. Its current criteria do not reflect vital democratic values such as transparency, participation, social control and the promotion and application of universally recognised human rights. Accordingly, the IFIs and the WTO need to be restructured based on 3 essential parameters: a democratic and fair treatment of all countries, no separation of the economic and social dimension, and the respect and promotion of human rights, including economic, social and cultural rights. The ILO's role in fulfilling this commitment needs to be strengthened, with the full involvement of workers.

6. External debt and its servicing arrangements have strangled the growth and sustainable development prospects of the developing countries. There is therefore a moral and ethical duty to cancel the debt, and that in turn is a prerequisite for economic growth and the development of our countries.

7. Decent work, as advocated by the International Labour Organisation (ILO), is the basic demand of all working people. It represents the traditional call for decent work, homes, food, education, social protection and adequate income, coupled with respect for union rights, social dialogue and democratic participation. Similarly, decent work is a key element in our campaign for the inclusion of a social and democratic dimension in the prevailing economic order.

8. Decent work enhances people's lives both as individuals and within society, and the creation of decent work aims to restore their income as a precondition for the establishment of a socially-just, open and sustainable economy.

9. It is vital that we reject and actively oppose the perverse argument whereby workers and their working conditions are said to be the cause of poverty. And we must counter the false argument whereby the imposition of deregulation and flexible employment policies will set people on the path to sustainable development and create appropriate levels of social wellbeing coupled with more and better jobs.

10. We need to incorporate the ILO's principles and fundamental rights in a broad-based social clause that provides guarantees and ensures fair treatment for both nationals and foreigners.

11. The international labour standards, which are democratically rooted, universal and autonomous, constitute a good basis for "social" values and the protection of working and living conditions. The exercising of freedoms and democracy requires, in turn, the coordination at national and international level of legal, market-based and other implementing measures and arrangements. The ILO needs to step up the current application of its recommendations and conventions by governments and to streamline its monitoring procedures on the application of its core standards.

12. It is essential that multinational companies be subjected to binding social regulations. Various instruments are in place and others are being developed, however they have not yet been made to work effectively, so increased pressure will be needed from trade unions and their allies.

13. The social dialogue and the balancing of global and local measures are recognised as complementary channels for generating new and decent jobs. People need to enjoy their human and social rights in the rural and/or urban communities in which they live.

14. The challenges we face will require the harnessing of all democratic and progressive forces, so trade union solidarity and alliances between trade union and civil society organisations are a vital factor in tackling them and building a "managed" form of globalization that ensures progressive improvements in human wellbeing and participatory democracy.

15. The increasing AIDS pandemic represents a serious threat to stability and sustainable development throughout the world, though particularly in developing countries, where the poorest are badly hit. The unions must insist that governments devote increased resources to preventing the illness and treating and caring for the sick. Similarly, the unions need ongoing campaigns to combat the discrimination against infected persons on the labour market and in society generally.

16. It is clear that the promotion of decent work is dependent on the achievement and maintenance of peace worldwide. It is therefore necessary to strengthen and improve the UN's instruments, so that the UN can fully accomplish its task of promoting peace in all the regions of the world.

Luis Anderson
General Secretary
ICFTU-ORIT

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