ILO Statement to the Second Committee of the 66th General Assembly
Decent work central to poverty eradication efforts and a more efficient growth
The lag in recovery of the jobs market continues to adversely affect the real economy through overall unemployment, under-employment, suppressed wages and incomes, and a decline in domestic consumption, all of which are key drivers of growth and essential pre-conditions for poverty eradication.
Mr. Chair,
The report of the Secretary General on Implementation of the Second United Nations Decade for the Eradication of Poverty (2008-2017), (A/66/221), highlights a number of opportunities and challenges towards the achievement of “Full employment and decent work for all”, the theme of the 2nd UN Decade. The ILO fully concurs with the policy recommendations proposed in the report and reiterates the need for enhanced policy coherence and continuing collaboration with Member States, UN system agencies, civil society and other partners in support of efforts to eradicate poverty through the promotion of the Decent Work Agenda.
In previous statements before this committee, the ILO has highlighted the dismal global employment trends that have been exacerbated by the financial and economic crises. The lag in recovery of the jobs market continues to adversely affect the real economy through overall unemployment, under-employment, suppressed wages and incomes, and a decline in domestic consumption, all of which are key drivers of growth and essential pre-conditions for poverty eradication. Attention to the quality of jobs is equally important as the quantity of jobs. We know that millions are working hard but barely surviving, often in the informal economy denied of human dignity. Efforts must centre on transforming the economic models that breed poverty in order to deliver economic growth with social justice. The Decent Work Agenda continues to provide an efficient model for achieving this overarching goal.
Growth with decent jobs requires the integration of employment and social policies with macroeconomic policy strategies. The ILO has asserted in many fora that a major step towards bridging the gap between poverty and decent work is by ensuring that full employment and decent work becomes a key macroeconomic objective alongside low inflation and sound fiscal measures. Promoting growth and empowering people while protecting economies and protecting people, must go hand in hand. As the Secretary General’s report rightly points out, expansion of social protection has an important role to play in achieving further gains against poverty, promoting equity and supporting aggregate demand. Likewise, the transition to green and sustainable economies is an area where policy coherence can facilitate growth by encouraging investment and the creation of green jobs. These and other policy elements have been endorsed in the Global Jobs Pact and continue to provide a general framework for promoting a productive recovery in the labour market and for achieving long term sustainability.
The ILO has actively participated in cooperation with UN-DESA and partner UN agencies, to build policy coherence through the development and implementation of the UN system-wide plan of action for the 2nd Decade. This undertaking has provided an additional means of recognizing the policy interactions of various UN agencies while helping to identify mutually reinforcing impacts of such policies and programmes on employment for poverty eradication. We look forward to continuing our engagement with Member States, the UN system as well as the NGO Sub-Committee on Poverty Eradication in strengthening policy coherence, building synergies and promoting stronger collaboration in support of the implementation of the plan of action.
The ILO firmly believes that decent work is central to poverty eradication efforts and an essential means of achieving a more efficient growth which can lead to equitable, inclusive and sustainable development. With continued political will, enhanced coherent and coordinated policies and increased resources, we can ensure that this 2nd UN Decade for the Eradication of Poverty will be the last that is needed to achieve our goals.
I thank you.
The report of the Secretary General on Implementation of the Second United Nations Decade for the Eradication of Poverty (2008-2017), (A/66/221), highlights a number of opportunities and challenges towards the achievement of “Full employment and decent work for all”, the theme of the 2nd UN Decade. The ILO fully concurs with the policy recommendations proposed in the report and reiterates the need for enhanced policy coherence and continuing collaboration with Member States, UN system agencies, civil society and other partners in support of efforts to eradicate poverty through the promotion of the Decent Work Agenda.
In previous statements before this committee, the ILO has highlighted the dismal global employment trends that have been exacerbated by the financial and economic crises. The lag in recovery of the jobs market continues to adversely affect the real economy through overall unemployment, under-employment, suppressed wages and incomes, and a decline in domestic consumption, all of which are key drivers of growth and essential pre-conditions for poverty eradication. Attention to the quality of jobs is equally important as the quantity of jobs. We know that millions are working hard but barely surviving, often in the informal economy denied of human dignity. Efforts must centre on transforming the economic models that breed poverty in order to deliver economic growth with social justice. The Decent Work Agenda continues to provide an efficient model for achieving this overarching goal.
Growth with decent jobs requires the integration of employment and social policies with macroeconomic policy strategies. The ILO has asserted in many fora that a major step towards bridging the gap between poverty and decent work is by ensuring that full employment and decent work becomes a key macroeconomic objective alongside low inflation and sound fiscal measures. Promoting growth and empowering people while protecting economies and protecting people, must go hand in hand. As the Secretary General’s report rightly points out, expansion of social protection has an important role to play in achieving further gains against poverty, promoting equity and supporting aggregate demand. Likewise, the transition to green and sustainable economies is an area where policy coherence can facilitate growth by encouraging investment and the creation of green jobs. These and other policy elements have been endorsed in the Global Jobs Pact and continue to provide a general framework for promoting a productive recovery in the labour market and for achieving long term sustainability.
The ILO has actively participated in cooperation with UN-DESA and partner UN agencies, to build policy coherence through the development and implementation of the UN system-wide plan of action for the 2nd Decade. This undertaking has provided an additional means of recognizing the policy interactions of various UN agencies while helping to identify mutually reinforcing impacts of such policies and programmes on employment for poverty eradication. We look forward to continuing our engagement with Member States, the UN system as well as the NGO Sub-Committee on Poverty Eradication in strengthening policy coherence, building synergies and promoting stronger collaboration in support of the implementation of the plan of action.
The ILO firmly believes that decent work is central to poverty eradication efforts and an essential means of achieving a more efficient growth which can lead to equitable, inclusive and sustainable development. With continued political will, enhanced coherent and coordinated policies and increased resources, we can ensure that this 2nd UN Decade for the Eradication of Poverty will be the last that is needed to achieve our goals.
I thank you.