Global Unions at Porto Alegre and Davos:
"Democratise Globalisation"

by International Confederation of Free Trade Unions (ICFTU)

Brussels, 22 January, 2003

A joint statement "Democratising Globalisation: A World with Peace, Jobs, Rights and Social Justice" released today by the main international trade union organisations*, strongly criticises "today's globalisation", calling for democratic global governance and an end to the culture of corporate irresponsibility which is at the heart of the collapse of multi-billion-dollar companies and decline in stock markets world-wide, linked in turn to the deepening global economic crisis.

The statement is being released for the World Social Forum (WSF) in Porto Alegre, where hundreds of trade unionists from around the world will be present from 23 January, and the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos where, on the same days, high-level international union officials will bring the trade union message to business leaders.

ICFTU General Secretary Guy Ryder, who will take part in both events, said "billions of people are being left behind by globalisation, while only a small minority are reaping the benefits of unfettered liberalisation and deregulation. The institutions which have real power over global economic policy must be subject to democratic governance, if the potential benefits of increased global trade and investment are to be realised for all the world's people. The international trade union movement will be making its voice heard both in Porto Alegre and in Davos, calling for major changes in the direction of globalisation".

Following the devastating effects of corporate collapses such as ENRON and Worldcom on working people and their families, the trade union statement highlights "systematic failures of financial and corporate governance and the widespread existence of incentives for malpractice" and calls for measures to make businesses fully accountable.

A special "Voice of Labour" web-site, http://www.global-unions.org/wef-wsf.asp publicises the main trade union events, statements, press contacts and press releases from the Davos and Porto Alegre events.

* The full text of the joint statement, which is endorsed by the ICFTU, Global Union Federations, TUAC-OECD, World Confederation of Labour and the European Trade Union Confederation, is available at: http://www.icftu.org/displaydocument.asp?Index=991216994&Language=EN

The ICFTU represents 158 million workers in 231 affiliated organisations in 150 countries and territories. ICFTU is also a member of Global
Unions: http://www.global-unions.org

For more information, please contact the ICFTU Press Department on +32 2 224 0212 or +32 475 67 08 33.