At the 102nd Session of the International Labour Conference, Noriyuki Suzuki, General Secretary of the International Trade Union Confederation for Asia and Pacific (ITUC-AP), replies to ACTRAV Info. In this interview, Mr. Suzuki gave his views on Employment and social protection in the new demographic context in the Asia and Pacific, Occupational Safety and Health issue and workers ‘priorities in this region.
One of the issues
discussed during the 102nd Session of the International Labour
Conference is Employment and social protection in the new demographic
context. What are the challenges for Asia and Pacific Region on this
issue with regard to workers?
There are varieties of demographic changes in the region. However, the key issue is how to build generational solidarity and quality labour market for the youth and the older.
On the one hand, the active working force should support the old, or retired workers, on the other hand, the active working force, especially the youth, should be given gainful and decent employment. By doing so, sustainability of labour market can be ensured.If such labour market is supported by quality social security schemes as stipulated by the ILO Social Security (Minimum Standards) Convention, 1952 (No. 102) and Social Protection Floors Recommendation, 2012 (No. 202), a balanced socio-economic system can be built.
The challenge is how to finance the system. Continued economic growths with distributive and re-distributive mechanisms including fair taxation are two key challenges.
After the tragedy in the Building collapse in Bangladesh, what should be your expectations vis-à-vis the ILO to prevent workplace disasters?
We took up this tragic industrial accident during the 102nd session of the International Labour Conference in Geneva. The crucial point is, with functioning unions, or the employer/union partnership, that accident would not have happened. Proper inspections would have been conducted, Occupational Health and Safety matters would have been discussed, and proper representation would have been conducted on that morning when emerging cracks were about to lead the collapse of the building.
“Recognise the union” or “promote social partnership at factories and industries” – this is the only way to prevent such a disastrous industrial accident.
Finally, what are the workers’ priorities in the Asia and Pacific Region?
Because of prevailing flexible labour market policy, precarious work and informal economy are surging in our region, accordingly, income disparity is widening.
Our highest priority is “building stronger labour market institutions through organising and unity.” Higher union density and strong collective bargaining enable adequate distribution, and through institutional reforms in various labour laws, social laws, taxation system with better fiscal policy by united trade union mobilisation, re-distribution systems can be built in societies, so that all workers without distinction whatsoever, including migrant workers, can be benefitted by the fast economic growth in the region.
There are varieties of demographic changes in the region. However, the key issue is how to build generational solidarity and quality labour market for the youth and the older.
On the one hand, the active working force should support the old, or retired workers, on the other hand, the active working force, especially the youth, should be given gainful and decent employment. By doing so, sustainability of labour market can be ensured.If such labour market is supported by quality social security schemes as stipulated by the ILO Social Security (Minimum Standards) Convention, 1952 (No. 102) and Social Protection Floors Recommendation, 2012 (No. 202), a balanced socio-economic system can be built.
The challenge is how to finance the system. Continued economic growths with distributive and re-distributive mechanisms including fair taxation are two key challenges.
After the tragedy in the Building collapse in Bangladesh, what should be your expectations vis-à-vis the ILO to prevent workplace disasters?
We took up this tragic industrial accident during the 102nd session of the International Labour Conference in Geneva. The crucial point is, with functioning unions, or the employer/union partnership, that accident would not have happened. Proper inspections would have been conducted, Occupational Health and Safety matters would have been discussed, and proper representation would have been conducted on that morning when emerging cracks were about to lead the collapse of the building.
“Recognise the union” or “promote social partnership at factories and industries” – this is the only way to prevent such a disastrous industrial accident.
Finally, what are the workers’ priorities in the Asia and Pacific Region?
Because of prevailing flexible labour market policy, precarious work and informal economy are surging in our region, accordingly, income disparity is widening.
Our highest priority is “building stronger labour market institutions through organising and unity.” Higher union density and strong collective bargaining enable adequate distribution, and through institutional reforms in various labour laws, social laws, taxation system with better fiscal policy by united trade union mobilisation, re-distribution systems can be built in societies, so that all workers without distinction whatsoever, including migrant workers, can be benefitted by the fast economic growth in the region.
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