Workers around the world are struggling to make ends meet with the weight of a global cost-of-living crisis.
Two in five families (43%) have experienced a loss of tasks or working hours and one in two (51%) say their source of income is falling relative to the burden of living, according to a new opinion poll through the International Union. Confederation (CSI).
Sharan Burrow, ITUC General Secretary, said: “The inequalities and injustices that lie at the heart of the failed economic formula with massive deficits in corporate and monetary regulation have been brutally exposed and massively exacerbated during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Published on the eve of the 5th ITUC World Congress in Melbourne, Australia, the survey, commissioned by YouGov, covers the general public in seventeen countries.
“The very foundations of democracy and the global economy have been shaken. Governments, cowed by corporate greed, have failed to act in the interests of workers. When 56% of others say that worrying about the repercussions would prevent them from reporting corporate misconduct, we know that corporate social duty has failed.
“Workers know that economic and social progress has stagnated or regressed. The economic formula favors the interests of a few, while the government is stretched to the limit and workers’ rights are under attack, with an increase in violence and harassment at work.
“But the staff is transparent in their demands. It knows the answer is a new social contract on jobs, rights, wages, social protection, equality and climate-friendly inclusion,” Burrow added.
The ITUC represents the world’s largest democratic network and the World Congress will debate the mandate of the global trade union industry movement, with more than 1,000 industry unionists from over 130 countries.
ITUC President Ayuba Wabba said: “Workers, the goals of inclusive social and economic progress with shared prosperity and a sustainable future.
“At the moment, those goals are not successful for many people. But, with the implementation of those transparent demands, with a new social contract, we can turn the tide and create an economy that works for workers.
“But it’s urgent. Governments and companies want to establish an action plan now to put in place a new social contract and start repairing the damage. “
Michele O’Neil, chair of the Australian Council of Trade Unions (ACTU), said: “This vote shows that Australian workers, who are facing a lingering wage crisis and have been asked for years to do more with less, are alone. Workers around the world are struggling to keep up with emerging living prices and developing inequality.
“International comparisons can also show Australian staff a way forward: negotiation between employers has helped wage expansion and quality of life in dozens of other countries. It is time to catch up with the rest of the world on bargaining rights.
YouGov conducted the fieldwork from June 22 to July 6, 2022, with adult populations in Argentina, Australia, Belgium, Brazil, Bulgaria, Canada, Egypt, France, Great Britain, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Mexico, South Africa, South Korea and the United States. All survey effects cited above constitute the average for the 17 countries. The figures have been weighted at the national point and constitute all adults in the respective country.
The ITUC World Congress will take place in Melbourne, Australia, from 17 to 22 November 2022. The ITUC represents two hundred million employees in 163 countries and territories from 332 national unions.
Daily Congress Highlights (all times in Melbourne: UTC/GMT 11)
Retransmission on the Congress website.
Journalists wishing to attend the ITUC World Congress can register here.
16:00-18:00, Thursday 17 November, opening ceremony, speeches by Joy Murphy Wandin, former wurundjeri, ITUC President Ayuba Wabba (NLC Nigeria), Senator Pat Dodson of Western Australia, ACTU President Michele O’Neil, former ILO Director-General Guy Ryder and others.
9:00-12:30, Friday 18 November, plenary session, opening video message via UN Secretary-General António Guterres and ITUC General Secretary Sharan Burrow describing the state of the world and findings of the ITUC Global Survey 2022.
Saturday, November 19, Forum Congress: Technology and effects on work.
Sunday 20 November: ITUC General Secretary election.
Monday 21 November, the worst boss in the world: the effects of the ITUC vote are announced. The nominees come with Alan Joyce, Jeff Bezos and Gina Rinehart.
The ITUC represents two hundred million employees in 163 countries and territories and has 332 national affiliates.