#WDDW24: Decent work requires peace and democracy

October 7 is the World Day for Decent Work, and this year the global trade union movement is calling for peace and democracy. We do this in the context of creeping authoritarianism and expanding military conflict, which has cast a dark cloud across the world. 

Currently, there are over 110 armed conflicts worldwide. All of them put working people on the front lines, devastating their communities and robbing them of their lives, livelihoods and rights.

“Peace is fundamental to decent work. And as we decided in our recent World Congress, ‘universal and lasting peace can only be established through common security, social justice a world free from exploitation and decent standards of living for all,’” said UNI General Secretary Christy Hoffman.

Over the past year, UNI has focused on supporting workers and democracy advocates in ongoing conflicts in Myanmar, Ukraine and Gaza.

Since the coup in 2021, Myanmar’s military dictatorship has violently repressed workers and their families, stripping them of basic rights. The trade union movement has built solidarity with people of Myanmar who are demanding democracy, starting with the recognition of the National Unity Government, and the political and economic isolation of the junta.

As for Ukraine, the global trade union movement continues to call for peace, the restoration of Ukraine’s sovereignty and assurances that reconstruction will take place in full alignment with respect for workers’ rights. The Ukrainian government’s restriction of union rights during the war has raised serious concerns.   

“I travelled to Kyiv in May this year as part of an international solidarity mission to show the support of the global labour movement for the Ukrainian people. Even though Kyiv is far from the front lines, I witnessed heroism amid daily bomb threats, loss of loved ones and the destruction of basic infrastructure. We join with them to demand peace now, and we will continue to stand with them as they rebuild their country,” Hoffman said.

The crisis in the Middle East is deepening by the day, and trade unions around the world are demanding an immediate ceasefire, the release of the hostages and all those detained without due legal process, the safe return of all workers trapped by the conflict, increased humanitarian aid and a lasting two-state solution.

In recent weeks, UNI and nine other global unions also took action to support the Palestinian workers who are no longer able to work in Israel because of the conflict by filing an ILO complaint to recover lost wages.   

“I met with UNI affiliates in Ramallah earlier this year and heard the realities they face under an increasingly violent occupation and diminishing public resources on top of an intolerable situation in Gaza. They emphasized that the global union movement can create change through our solidarity.

“Although this seems to be further from reach than ever, we must continue to raise our voices for a ceasefire that leads to a sovereign Palestine, alongside a secure Israel,” Hoffman said. 

“Events in Lebanon this past week are showing why this call is even more necessary. The further expansion of this conflict could be devastating for millions and de-escalation is urgently needed.”

Whether in Gaza, Ukraine, Myanmar or the over 100 territories with armed conflicts, the trade union movement is taking this day to speak with one voice to demand an end to this senseless violence.

Luc Triangle, General Secretary of the ITUC, said: “Governments are failing to resolve conflicts through diplomacy, while workers and their unions continue to engage in peaceful negotiations. Workers must be involved in the peace and reconstruction processes if they are to succeed and create the necessary conditions for lasting peace and stability.”