The World Day for Decent Work was launched in 2008 as a part of the Decent Work, Decent Life campaign. an initiative of five international organizations including the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC).
Labour issues internationally are complicated. Working conditions and social conditions vary, and unions in different countries have many different priorities on their agendas. Still, around the world we can agree that workers rights are human rights. Work should not be demeaning, should not keep workers in poverty, and should enable a better future for the workers’ families and communities.
This year’s theme is “Young Workers Organizing for the future,” around these demands:
- Living wages
- Secure employment
- Safe workplaces
- Union rights
The core demands above may sound very basic to most Canadian workers, but around the world workers are fighting for them.
It’s worth checking out the ITUC social media feeds. They have been highlighting achievements of young workers organizing internationally in sectors like food delivery, post and parcels, other platform-based gig employment, digital services, and more.
Decent work supports economic growth, enables people to live in dignity, respects human rights, and unfortunately, cannot be taken for granted.
