Church World Service promotes full employment and decent work for all

Review Session on Debt at the UN
Photo: Greg Sadowski

April 7, 2008

On February 6-15, 2008, the United Nations (UN) Department of Economic and Social Affairs’ Commission for Social Development held its 46th session to discuss "Promoting Full Employment and Decent Work for All." Church World Service (CWS) colleague, Philo Morris of the Society of Catholic Medical Missionaries made a statement on trade and employment to the Commission on behalf CWS, the Anglican Consultative Council, and Morris’ own organization.

Morris, began by stating, that since the assembly of the World Summit for Social Development in Copenhagen, in 1995, the Commission, highlighted “the vital links between poverty eradication, employment and social integration. And it called for full and productive employment and decent work to be a central objective of national and international policies.” http://daccessdds.un.org/doc/UNDOC/GEN/N95/116/51/PDF/N9511651.pdf?OpenElement

However, trade expansion has not led to a satisfactory increase in employment in most developing countries, as only industrialized countries and a handful of developing countries have benefited. Morris also pointed out that “employment is central to poverty eradication and social integration” and “effective employment should be that which contributes to sustainable development.”

Though, as it currently stands, “people with capital, entrepreneurial ability, education and skills benefit. The poor, illiterate, unskilled workers and indigenous peoples lose out.”

Morris’ statement also recommended, among other things, that the Commission:

Assess the impact of trade policies and labor standards on the poor and most vulnerable.
Ensure more participation and representation of developing countries in the decision-making bodies of the Bretton Woods Institutions.
With regards to agricultural subsides, evaluate the impacts on employment in both trading partners’ countries when a trade agreement is made.
A ddress the unsustainable trends of globalization and establish a new model of trade that protects workers, the environment and democracy.

CWS is committed to economic justice and the rights of the poor and most vulnerable and has long advocated before the Commission on Sustainable Development and other Bretton Woods Institutions on their behalf.