Working Party on the Social Dimension of Globalization - Report of the ILO forum on decent work for a fair globalization
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Statement by the Representative of the Republic of Slovenia on behalf of the European Union
Mr. Chairman,
I have the honour to speak on behalf of the European Union. The Candidate Countries Turkey, Croatia* and the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia* , the Countries of the Stabilisation and Association Process and potential candidates Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, Serbia, and the EFTA countries Iceland and Norway, members of the European Economic Area, and Switzerland, as well as Ukraine, the Republic of Moldova, Armenia, Georgia align themselves with this declaration.
1. The European Union would like to express its appreciation for the interesting agenda and for the good organization of the Forum.
2. The EU highlighted in March 2007 that the Forum should be seen as part of a continuous dialogue, it should promote a coherent approach to the social dimension of globalisation and decent work and result in practical suggestions for actions.
3. The 2007 ILO Forum coincided with EU discussions on shaping globalisation as it was on the agenda of both the European informal Summit of October 2007 and the European Council of December 2007. The European Council of 14 December 2007 adopted a Declaration on Globalisation. This declaration refers to the need to strengthen the social and environmental dimension, to the promotion of decent work as a crucial issue for development and to the engagement in cooperation with international partners. The EU also highlighted the need to work together within stronger multilateral organisations. These elements are relevant for our discussion of today.
4. The Lisbon Forum served as a useful opportunity for sharing and discussing approaches and experiences in promoting decent work for a fair globalization with a broad range of stakeholders outside the ILO. Nevertheless, if we want to engage in a meaningful ongoing process, such as similar Forum at some point in the future, we need to strive for improvements. If the ILO is to hold similar events, the EU believes that it should further improve on attracting representatives from the multilateral system, concentrate on fewer items and mainly focus on policy coherence and effectiveness in the implementation of decent work policies at national, regional and global levels.
5. The EU welcomes the diverse perspectives offered by the range of participants at the Forum and considers it useful for the ILO to bear in mind the various opinions expressed during the six thematic panel debates when implementing the 2008-09 Programme and Budget.
6. The EU would welcome a coherent approach to ILO outreach work which should be focused on outcomes, with clear plans for, and implementation of, follow-up activities. Information and expertise on outreach work should be shared within the Office to prevent duplication of efforts.
7. Policy coherence with other international actors is essential and it can be promoted through the Policy Coherence Initiative. The Working Party should regularly receive a report from the Office on the developments in this regards, including a follow-up on the World Commission Report.
Mr. Chairman,
8. The EU welcomes the Lisbon Forum’s strong consensus in favour of decent work for a fair globalization and on the importance of policy coherence.
9. The EU will continue to participate actively in shaping globalization so that more people will benefit from the opportunities it presents. This is in line with internal and external policies of the EU such as enshrined in the internal and external dimension of the Lisbon strategy, the EU Declaration on Globalization and the December 2007 European Council Conclusion.
Thank you for your attention.
[1]* Croatia and the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia continue to be part of the Stabilisation and Association Process.
