Workers from the South to get a louder voice on the global stage

Workers from the South to get a louder voice on the global stage

Thanks to a new agreement between the TUC and Trades Union Advisory Committee to the OECD ('TUAC'), developing and emerging country trade unions have a better chance of influencing decisions that affect billions of poor workers worldwide.

As the world's poorest workers continue to be hit the hardest by the casino capitalism that caused the financial crisis, it is essential they get a say in the global discussions to fix the mess. The new deal will help trade unionists from developing countries such as South Africa, Indonesia, India and Brazil to better influence the outcome of key G20 and OECD meetings.

The G20 is now the lead economic policy-making body in the new global architecture. The TUC/TUAC agreement will help ensure that global trade union position statements and submissions to the G20, better reflect developing and emerging country trade union voices.

Similarly, the OECD - traditionally the rich nation's club - will now consult beyond its traditional membership on its proposed update of the OECD Guidelines for Multinational Companies (the 'Guidelines'). The Guidelines are a set of recommendations on good corporate behaviour that are endorsed and enforced by governments, with effectively global coverage. They have proved to be a valuable if imperfect tool used by many trade unions around the world, to hold companies to account for violations of labour rights. For example, multiple complaints filed under the Guidelines against G4S by unions from Malawi to Manchester resulted in a landmark deal in 2008 committing the company to respect the labour rights of its 600,000 workers spread over its 112 countries of operations.

The update provides a key opportunity to address the weaknesses in the Guidelines, such as improving procedural fairness, and ensuring company cooperation with complaints and coverage of supply chains. Getting the views of workers from the south - the place where the Guidelines are most relevant - will be essential.

Activities funded under the agreement will include briefings, participation at relevant meetings, an Update consultation seminar on the Guidelines and the lobbying of OECD staff and other diplomats. The project begins on March 1 2010 and ends February 2011. There will also be special emphasis on ensuring that women workers issues are highlighted and on encouraging participation from women from the unions. For more information contact Gemma Freedman gfreedman@tuc.org.uk, Project Officer or Ben Moxham, Policy Officer bmoxham@tuc.org.uk