THE GLOBAL NETWORK » Recommendations to ASEM8 from the Asia Europe People’s Forum

Fighting for decent work for all

Recommendations to ASEM8 from the Asia Europe People’s Forum

"Poverty is created by unequal economic systems - it can be eradicated. Governments need to reassert their control over corporations and be accountable to their citizens. Ultimately it is a question of political choice and priorities". Charles Santiago, MP Malaysia

(…) Despite existing laws, regulations, standards and mechanisms, governments have failed to prioritise human rights, environmental security and labour rights, over the profits of companies. There has been a lack of political will in implementing regulation and establishing redress mechanisms for companies operating in, and beyond their territories.

Companies and businesses have used their expanded legal rights and exceptional access to decision-makers to aggressively push for policies that open up new markets and allow access to raw materials regardless of the social or environmental costs. We see this repeated in Brussels with the Asia Europe Business Forum, which brings together EC, government officials and corporate lobbyists.

"Governments must live up to their human rights obligations, including the duty to protect against abuses involving corporations." Mary Robinson

(…)The decent work agenda requires Asian and European governments to commit to Core Labour Standards, the creation of decent jobs, social dialogue and social protection. To achieve this, Asian and European governments should:

Ratify and implement ILO Conventions and Core Labour Standards (…)
Adopt national economic policies that guarantee decent wages. (…)
Create and protect decent jobs for all, particularly for young people, women, disabled people and workers within the informal sector (…)
Initiate a process of “upwards” harmonisation of workers incomes, social and labour rights (…)
Guarantee access to social protection, job security, health care, maternity leave and essential services (…)
End all forms of gender-based violence and discrimination against workers, including migrant workers (…)