Labor conditions that puts people first

OATUU secretary general

After 30 years of development, neoliberalism finally collapsed. However, imperialists that lead us to the financial crisis did not learn from it. What needs to be done?

Choice of economic paradigm. People should come first. The main objective of any economic policy should be the general welfare of the people and the satisfaction of their basic needs.

Decent labor and basic demand. Decent work, now a global agenda, should be anchored on the people-first economic paradigm. The decent work agenda should be linked to the development programs, which address basic needs. This link will inevitably lead to the satisfaction of the following nine basic needs of the people: food, housing, health, education, water, electricity, transport, communications and decent work.

The role of trade unions. Trade unions constitute a strong, democratic force in every country. Trade union strength is proportionate to the number of workers they are able to organize. Therefore, the main preoccupation of trade unions should be the welfare of their members.

Trade unions should have a strong voice and role in the choice of political, social and economic paradigm at all these levels mentioned above.

(China Daily 03/16/2010 page16)