TUAC NEWS
OECD WEEK 2016: TRADE UNION KEY MESSAGES TO THE OECD MINISTERIAL COUNCIL AND FORUM
REDUCING INEQUALITY FOR HIGHER PRODUCTIVITY AND WELL-BEING IN THE GLOBAL ECONOMY
23/05/2016
Download the TUAC Statement and Key Priorities to OECD
Ministerial Council Meeting on the right hand side
Télécharger la Déclaration du TUAC et des Principaux Messages à la réunion du conseil de l’OCDE au niveau des ministres située à droite de l’écran
The OECD Week focuses on “Enhancing Productivity for Inclusive Growth” – this is timely as 2016 is proving to be the most dangerous year economically since 2009. The global economy is at risk of tipping into a significant slowdown with deflation, rising unemployment and precarious work. Macroeconomic policies in many developed economies have failed to support job creation and sustainable and inclusive growth. Fiscal austerity has led to weak demand in the short run, structural reforms aiming at “flexibility” in the labour market have depressed wage growth over the past years, and the sole reliance on monetary policy is reaching its limits. Income inequality is rising with the decline in the wage share over the previous three decades as well as the extremely unequal distribution of wealth with the top 10% owning half of all household wealth – a major economic distortion.The OECD Ministerial can pave the way to end the false dichotomy between raising productivity and economic efficiency on the one hand, and equity and social justice on the other. The UN Sustainable Development Goals (Agenda 2030) and the Paris Agreement on Climate Change chart a course for a world where zero poverty and zero carbon are achievable. Trade unions support these ambitions and urge the OECD Ministers to focus on key policy measures to both confront the short term challenges for jobs, growth and social justice as well as taking action to achieve the long term objectives for inclusive growth and sustainable development including:
Stimulate demand, raise middle & lower incomes
- Increase public investment in infrastructure, by the equivalent of 2% of GDP, and targeted public expenditure to stimulate demand and create jobs in the short term and raise productive potential in the medium and long term.
- Raise middle and lower incomes and thereby boost demand and reduce income inequality by focusing on strengthening labour market institutions, notably collective bargaining and minimum wages, and halt the increase in precarious, informal or irregular work.
Anticipate future challenges of a low-carbon & digitalised economy
- Invest in quality public education and skills development in order to provide life-long work-based learning and upskilling opportunities.
- Effectively commit to a “Just Transition” in the implementation of the Paris climate change agreement, including the creation of a “Just Transition Fund” for workers and communities.
- Spread the benefits from the Next Production Revolution and the digital economy to achieve increased productivity and job quality across economic sectors and a fair transition for those whose jobs are at risk from industrial restructuring.
Regulate for all & for the long term
- Ensure “regulatory quality” works for all within society (workers, consumers, citizens), and is not narrowed down to trade liberalisation and business interests.
- Distribute the gains from the digitalisation of the economy equitably, while not shifting costs and investment risks onto workers or consumers.
- Address short-termist behaviour in corporate boardrooms and in the financial system.
Stand firm on rights and decent work
- Put “decent work” and equity are at the heart of policies when addressing future challenges, including OECD work on the digital economy and the Development Strategy following the Agenda 2030 and the agreement on the Sustainable Development Goals.
- Seize the opportunity of the 40th anniversary of the OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises to strengthen the National Contact Points (NCPs).
- Commit to making corporate human rights due diligence mandatory in national legislation.
- Re-affirm the fundamental values of the Organisation – pluralistic democracy based on the rule of law and respect of human rights – in light of the accession process of Colombia and the 20th anniversary of OECD membership of the Republic of Korea.