The Second Vice-President of the Government of Spain and Minister for Work and Social Economy, Yolanda Díaz, during her speech at the event
"This document aspires to become the magna carta of trade unions and working people all over the world," said the minister, who also referred to it as the first step in rebuilding the social contract at a global level, "a first stone in the construction of a labour international for the 21st century."
The signing of the Charter was also attended by the General Secretary of the European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC), Esther Lynch, and the General Secretary of the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC), Luc Triangle, and several countries, trade union and legal associations have also joined the initiative.
The aim of this framework document is that decent work is the only form of work, that fair wages are guaranteed, that equal opportunities and non-discrimination are protected, that freedom of association and the right to strike are safeguarded and that social protection floors are guaranteed. "Ultimately, labour rights are human rights," the minister concluded.
The charter closes two days of debate and dialogue in which they have reflected on what the Labour Statutes of this century should be like, with more economic democracy and the involvement of workers in companies, as well as the ecological and digital transitions without reducing rights, with social justice, or how to build a feminist labour movement that favours inclusive and diverse workplaces.
The International Labour Congress, which was attended by more than 300 people including legal experts in the field of labour law, trade union leaders, ministers from Europe, Asia, America and Africa, as well as MEPs and the Commissioner for Employment and Social Rights, also heard a range of voices in favour of shorter working hours. "We have to move towards the 32-hour working week," the minister said.
"And for the reduction of working hours to have an effect, we must safeguard the right to disconnection. Because disconnecting cannot be the privilege of a few," she insisted.
Slovenia to host next International Labour Congress
The debate opened with this first International Labour Congress will be continued next year with a new congress to further expand labour rights and deepen democracy. Slovenia will be the host country, according to Díaz. "The initiative fills us with hope in times of discouragement. We are creating an international of hope in a world that can be much better than it is now," she said confidently.
Meetings on the fringes of the Congress
The vice-president began the day with a meeting with the Secretary General of the European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC), Esther Lynch, the Secretary General of the CCOO, Unai Sordo, and his counterpart from the UGT, Pepe Álvarez.
Díaz also met with her Romanian counterpart Simona Bucura-Oprescu, with whom she signed a Memorandum of Understanding focused on the Social Economy. This is the third meeting between the vice-president and the Romanian minister, who, together with Slovenia and Belgium, also joined the Spanish non-paper on the future of the European social agenda in this new legislature.
Non official translation