Bamako WSF: promoting the agenda for decent work in Africa, the key to success in the fight against poverty
BRUSSELS, (ICFTU Online): Within the framework of the
Bamako Polycentric World Social Forum, the International Confederation of Free Trade Unions (ICFTU), the World
Confederation of Labour (WCL), the Global Progressive Forum (GPF) and Solidar are to hold a work session on the progress
of the agenda for decent work in Africa.
As underlined by the ICFTU, the ILO agenda for decent work in Africa states that the success of any poverty reduction
strategy lies in the promotion of employment, workers' rights, protection and representation.
The measures taken by the Bretton Wood institutions have generally impacted negatively on the welfare of Africa's
citizens, undermining, in turn, the democratic process being developed on the continent for many years. The ICFTU, the
WCL, the GPF and Solidar are insistent that poverty reductions strategies can only succeed if they are firmly geared
towards the creation of decent work.
Decent work implies improved living standards, increased production and the creation of a virtuous circle of growth and
equality. A job is not just a source of income; it is a source of personal dignity, family stability, peace in the
community, and true democracy.
Full employment is a crucial objective. Yet the formulas currently being applied in Africa do not identify job creation
as an explicit objective of development policies. Economic growth is essential to bringing the poor out of poverty, but
it alone is not sufficient. Africa is in urgent need of growth that generates decent jobs and benefits the poorest
segments of society.
The ILO agenda for decent work defines a framework for sustainable development that benefits all by favouring the
poorest and most vulnerable members of society. By focusing on the creation of productive jobs carried out in a climate
of freedom, equality, security, representation and human dignity, this agenda constitutes the opening Africa needs to
rid itself of poverty.
These considerations will form the core of the debate involving representatives of the ICFTU, ICFTU-AFRO, the WCL,
Solidar, the Global Progressive Forum and civil society organisations from Africa.
The ICFTU represents 155 million workers in 236 affiliated organizations in 154 countries and territories. The ICFTU is
also a partner in Global Unions: http://www.global-unions.org/