ITUC Backs UN Migrant Call
The ITUC has backed a UN call for Europe to accept, initially, up to 200,000 migrants and for European countries to work
together to handle the massive inflow of people from the Middle East and Mediterranean. UN High Commissioner for
Refugees António Guterres has called for a common strategy, based on responsibility, solidarity and trust.
Sharan Burrow, ITUC General Secretary, said, “This is not only a crisis for Europe; it is a global crisis. With some two
million refugees already in Turkey, the world is faced with the biggest migration movement in 70 years, as people flee
armed conflict and abject poverty. Until the basic reasons that people are forced to flee their homelands are resolved,
the migratory pressure will continue to grow. Ordinary people, as individuals and through their unions, community and
faith groups and sports clubs are showing the way to politicians – solidarity and compassion must be the guiding
principles in this as in any other humanitarian crisis.”
Speaking for the European Trade Union Confederation, the ETUC, General Secretary Bernadette Ségol said, “Europe must
share the burden equitably, and recognise that simply closing borders is not only wrong, but will not stem the flow.
Ultimately, the answers lie beyond Europe’s borders, and we call on European leaders, and the international community,
to work together to tackle the root causes of this unprecedented flow of people.”
“It is encouraging that several European countries are showing their preparedness to accept substantial numbers of
people fleeing persecution and war. Others need to follow their example, and ensure that the new arrivals are able to
integrate fully in their new countries, including with the right to decent jobs,” Burrow said. “The failure of the Gulf
States, which are the world’s richest and are deeply engaged in conflicts in the Middle East, to accept a fair share of
refugees, is simply deplorable.”
The ITUC is calling for the G20 leaders to take responsibility for global solutions at their November Summit. “Equally,
global leaders need to work together to end the conflicts, particularly in Iraq and Syria, which are driving the
migration crisis,” added Burrow.
ENDS