n/a

TUC calls on G20 leaders to create quality jobs and increase wages

By agency reporter
July 7, 2017

The TUC is joining with trade unions from across the G20 today (7 July 2017) to call for leaders at the G20 summit in Hamburg to agree action to create good quality jobs and increase wages.

The Labour 20 (L20) Statement, from workers and trade unions in G20 nations, sets out policies to make the global economy work better for working people.

Polling published today, commissioned by the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC), found strong support from British people for the UK government to 'do more' on L20 proposals:

  • Make sure companies pay their fair share of taxes (84 per cent)
  • Create jobs by investing in care for the elderly, disabled people and pre-school aged children (76 per cent)
  • Enable apprenticeships and possibilities for life-long learning (73 per cent)
  • Adopt new rules for multinational companies to end abuse of workers through their supply chains (68 per cent)
  • Work towards a pay raise for workers (58 per cent)

The TUC General Secretary, Frances O’Grady, said: “The G20 summit is an opportunity for the Prime Minister to prove that Britain is not losing influence because of Brexit. She must show that British leadership can make the global economy fairer for working people.

“British workers are not alone in worrying that the economy is rigged against them. Workers around the world are fighting to defend job security, pensions and wages. And they can all see how a wealthy elite creams off an unfair share of the profits and hides it in tax havens.

“World leaders must not ignore the anger and fear of working people at the hard end of globalisation. They must give workers reasons to believe in a more hopeful future. We need global agreements to enhance workers’ rights, strengthen collective bargaining, and direct more of the profits into workers’ pockets.”

* The L20 is one of the six outreach groups within G20 and represents the interests of workers at the G20 level. It unites trade unions from G20 countries and Global Unions and is convened by the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC) and Trade Union Advisory Committee to the OECD (TUAC).

* Read the L20 statement here

* TUC https://www.tuc.org.uk/

[Ekk/4]

Although the views expressed in this article do not necessarily represent the views of Ekklesia, the article may reflect Ekklesia's values. If you use Ekklesia's news briefings please consider making a donation to sponsor Ekklesia's work here.