Through a declaration handed over to Kajo Wasserhoevel, the Deputy Minister of Labour and Social Affairs for Germany, young people from throughout the world have called on G8 leaders to urgently address the economic and social issues that keep young people out of work or in precarious and insecure jobs without protection.
On the eve of the G8 summit in Germany, and as part of the Decent Work, Decent Life campaign, 200 young people, representing six continents, met over two days and discussed issues and strategies to counter unemployment, precarity, the informalisation of the economy, private equity, and many other barriers to decent work.
In their declaration they remind national governments and international institutions that their job is not to generate economic growth alone but instead to use this growth to benefit human progress and the eradication of poverty and inequality.
Australian delegate, Genevieve Siddle, stated that this meeting is being viewed as starting block in the campaign to build better rights at work for youth people throughout the world.
"For all the pledges and political talk of progress, the lives and conditions of young workers throughout the world are getting worse. Youth unemployment is on the rise, with many companies trampling over young peoples’ workplace rights. Whilst this conference had an international focus, our arguments are not simply contained to certain continents or countries. These issues raised are a reality for thousands of young Australian workers who are stuck in casual employment or who having their rights eroded by individual contracts,” she said.
“Those of use attending this conference have vowed to keep up the pressure on the G8 to put decent work at the top of their agenda and we will ensure they are pursued in our own respective nations.”
In accepting the declaration, Deputy Minister Wasserhovel called on the young people to keep up the pressure on their governments and congratulated them on the initiative.
With plans for campaigns around the Beijing 2008 Olympics and the 2010 World Cup, as well as a call for an international day of action for Decent Work, the conference participants vowed to pursue their agenda in all forums to keep G8 leaders and other decision-makers to their promises on aid, debt and trade.
Conference delegates also presented their issues to Guy Ryder, the General Secretary of the International Trade Union Confederation, Conny Reuter, the Secretary General of Solidar and Josep Borrell, former European Parliament President, current EP Development Committee Chair and head of the Global Progressive Forum.
Read Youth Action for Decent Work – 10 Demands of the G8