TUC celebrates World Day for Decent Work with Rhyme, Rhythm and Reason

TUC celebrates World Day for Decent Work with Rhyme, Rhythm and Reason

An inspired line-up of poets, performers and activists provided a healthy kick of Rhyme, Rhythm, and Reason to help celebrate this years' World Day for Decent Work, 7 October 2009.

Kicking off the night to a packed Congress House, Frances O'Grady, TUC Deputy General Secretary spoke of 'a crisis caused by the monumental greed of those at the top, but whose imprint is felt most sharply by those at the bottom: the poor, the vulnerable, the disadvantaged.' Instead, today was about replacing it with, 'a global economy that puts people and planet first.'

The line-up of speakers spanned the globe and the genres. Broadcaster and author Paul Mason, sketched a picture of neoliberalism on life support and how workers in China are building on a long and global tradition of taking control of their own lives. Geographer Doreen Massey spoke eloquently of the plight of trade unions in Honduras, at the forefront of the movement to reinstate democracy and strive for Decent Work.

Wellington Chibebe, the General Secretary of the Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions received a standing ovation after conveying the resilience and determination of Zimbabwean workers to overcome tremendous odds in their push for freedom. Closer to home, Clara Osigiede, the RMT's Secretary for the cleaners on the Underground spoke of the struggle that her workers face against private contractors exploiting their fragile migration status.

Legendary poets Linton Kwesi Johnson and Jean 'Binta' Breeze cast a spell of words, politics and inspiration over the second half of the night.

Also in the line-up - organised by the ever creative and dynamic Philosophy Football - was the quick fire wit and passion of spoken word artist Laura Dockrill, the Zong Zing All Stars with their blend of infectious Congolese rhythms, and journalist and writer, Lynsey Hanley, providing a dose of what life is like for working people in Britain.

The World Day for Decent Work is an initiative of the International Trade Union Confederation, (ITUC) - part of a massive global mobilisation for change. Last year, some 616 events were held across the globe.

Visit www.wddw.org for more information.

(Photos courtesy of Simon Green: http://eventful.org.uk )