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Building the World Movement for DemocracyInaugural World AssemblyFebruary 14-17, 1999 New Delhi, India Trade Unions & Democracy in a Changing Global Economy Workshop Leaders: Lynn MacDonald and William Conklin Condensed from report by Arun Kumar The labor movement regards itself as the engine of democratic progress. In many countries, trade unions have helped lead the struggle for freedom, often creating democratic mass movements despite the constraints imposed by dictatorships. Graduates of the trade union school of democracy have contributed all over the world to securing the fundamental human rights which are essential to all models of democracy worldwide. We welcome the recognition accorded to the trade unions as social partners by the Conference. Union representatives were of the view that deepening democracy beyond electoral forms should also protect trade union rights of the wage and salary earners. Democracy in a global market economy cannot be achieved without respect for the worker's rights of association, organizing and collective bargaining. Trade unions believe that observance of trade union rights promotes social and economic stability in the economy. In this sense, the trade union leaders felt that respect for core labor standards, as adopted by ILO, are essential to ensuring that economic growth is spread more equitably within and between countries. Women, who constitute more than half of the world's population, end up shouldering most of the burden of change and distress in the economies. They continue to face systematic discrimination in their access to regular jobs, resources, education and training in most, if not all, countries, even democracies. The challenge for democratic governance is to integrate women in the mainstream of politics and socio-economic activities. Economic development throughout the world and in developing countries in particular, deserves the deepest concern of all democratic forces. The globalization process, as it is currently unfolding, poses serious dangers to democracy and its prospects in developing countries. People are facing job losses, falling purchasing power, irregular but overworked jobs and increasing insecurity at work. Access to basic human needs such as drinking water, education, shelter and electricity is declining in many developing countries. The trade unions are of the view that current remedies seem to be creating prosperity for the few, amidst growing unemployment, poverty and inequalities for the majority. The mismanagement of economic and social policies and in particular unregulated financial markets have wrought heavy misery on many countries that were, until recently, considered by many as models of economic development. The representatives of the trade unions who met in this workshop had clear ideas on what constituted the essentials of democracy in any country and globally. If the objective of development is to make life better for the people, then the only way to make sure that economic growth benefits more and more people is to have a society that respects workers' trade unions and other human rights, especially those pertaining to employment and collective bargaining. It is time that workers' rights received the same amount of protection (if not more) as is accorded to Mickey Mouse under the global patent laws. Unfortunately, for the wage and salary earners of the world, these rights remain a contentious issue, even among democrats. The trade unions recognize that the non-labor NGO movement is also contributing to the democratic process in our societies, some better than others. There is, however, a definite need for building links between the labor movement and other NGOs to ensure that NGOs do not inadvertently become an instrument of those who wish to break the trade union movement. We believe that the workers themselves, through their own freely chosen organizations, must control their struggles for better working and living conditions. Trade unions wish to make it clear that we are not advocating protectionist or coercive measures to prevent access to international trade of the democratic countries. On the contrary, trade unions (in places like India) are arguing for a level playing field in international trade and investment agreements. There is a tension present between the forces of democracy and forces of globalization. The democratic forces desire more egalitarian development, while globalization is widening the gulf between rich and poor nations. 
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