World Federation of Trade Unions
” Poverty anywhere is a challenge to prosperity Everywhere” emphasised Philadelphia Declaration WFTU, the class based Trade Union International declared war against poverty. • Almost half of the world’s wealth is concentrated in the hands of 1% of the richest population. The wealth of 1% richest people in the world amounts to 11 Trillions $, which is 65 times the total wealth of half of the world’s population. • The bottom half of the world’s population owns the same as the richest 85 people in the world. • Seven out of ten people live in countries where economic inequalities have increased over the last three decades. • In U S the richest 1% captured 95% of the post-financial crisis growth since 2009 while the bottom 90% became poorer. • The richest 1% increased their share of income in 24 out of 26 countries. • Childrens death due to malnutrition exceeds 115 mn These were some of the findings revealed a few years ago. The inequalities under the capitalist system of development world over has been causing and multiplying the number of those subjected to poverty and suffering untold miseries. In many countries, ” corporates determine the rules, Governments behave as ( bad ) referees, enacting rules laid by authoritative capitalism. Corporates, MNC’s and NOT elected governments hold the power. A research finding of the ILO ( International Labour Organisation ) revealed that half of the workers in the world are not earning enough to lift themselves and their families over the US $ 2 day poverty line. The obvious result is ” Greeds of the rich met and Needs of the poor not met “‘ The increasing number of ” working poor ” is inevitably the result of the capitalist path of development. WFTU’s clarion call is against their lop-sided developments. Major crises have major consequences. Earlier, the threat of Great Depression spurred isolationism, nationalism, facism. The Pandemic affected the poor, middle class, workers and their livelihoods. Countries with dysfunctional states, polarised societies or poor leadership have done badly leaving their citizens and economies exposed and vulnerable. Resultantly poverty increased. Only large companies with deep pockets were able to ride out the storm, with the technology giants gaining most of all as digital interactions became even more important. WFTU’s declared policy opposes this. The Covid -19 Pandemic right-wing populism, and rising authoritarianism have changed the world for the worse, millions are unemployed. Many face malnutrition. Countries and young unemployed persons all have been disproportionately affected. Deeper social transformation will require organising and mobilising. This has been the call of WFTU constantly in all continents. The so-called poverty alleviation programme and poverty reduction programmes in many countries remained in paper. More inclusive social protection and sustainable development, adequate and need based food security and income security are needed. The needs of the most vulnerable people, youth workers, migrants, informal sector workers etc to be fought on class based struggles, WFTU declares. The climate crisis is a global crisis that exacerbates inequality across countries and within societies. A failure to address the climate crises will impact food security, water supply and the livelihoods of millions of vulnerable workers. This is thus a social justice issue and a workers organising issue also. We need to build activism in the workers unions and wherever possible build alliances with other progressive social movements. Migrant labour has been a feature of the development of capitalist economies for several years. The regimes and employer practices have made migrant workers vulnerable. Trade unions have to play a key part in protecting these workers. WFTU’s program had always included…
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Statement of WFTU on the International Day against Poverty – 17 October