Trade unions boycott G-20 meet over BMS appointment
Context:
- The Labour20 (L-20), a gathering of trade unions from G-20 nations, which got underway in Patna on Thursday, has been boycotted by about ten Central Trade Unions (CTUs).
- The Centre’s choice to name the RSS-backed trade union Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh (BMS) as the L-20’s head has angered the unions.
Labour 20 (L20)
- The L20 is a G20 outreach organisation that speaks up for workers’ issues at the G20 level.
- It brings together trade unions from G20 nations and Global Unions, giving them a forum for cooperation and speaking out on behalf of workers’ demands and concerns.
- The International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC) and the Trade Union Advisory Committee to the OECD (TUAC) are the two significant organisations that organise the L20.
- Its main goal is to inform the G20 meetings of the messages and stances of the worldwide labour movement on global affairs.
- The Employment Working Group, Sherpas, Labour and Finance Ministers, as well as other G20 bodies, are regular contacts for the L20.
- The L20 hopes to influence conversations and policies pertaining to workers’ rights and social justice by taking part in these exchanges and contributing ideas to the G20 Summits.
- Trade union leaders from the world’s greatest economies can directly influence the direction of global economic agendas thanks to the L20, which serves as a link between them and international trade unions.
- Trade unions can use it as a tool to advance workers’ interests within the G20 framework and make sure that their opinions are heard during deliberations.
- The L20 works on topics including job creation, labour standards, and income inequality. It also makes policy proposals, promotes social discussion, and fights for fair and decent employment.
- The L20 seeks to advance equitable and sustainable economic growth that benefits workers and promotes social cohesion through its involvement with the G20.
Priorities of L20
- scaling up youth employment and excellent apprenticeships,
- ensuring the participation of women,
- ensuring the formalisation of work through global standards for minimum pay, labour rights, and social protection,
- ensuring safe and secure jobs while eradicating slavery and illegal labour from supply networks,
- achieving tax equity, sustainable, green, and inclusive growth,
- Supporting the social debate to ensure industrial transformation and the implementation of climate action through a global accord with just transition guarantees,
- ensuring equitable income distribution, reinstating banking sector regulation, and
- ensuring the fulfilment of G20 promises made in the past and present
Reason behind the boycott
- Ten Central Trade Unions (CTUs) have made the decision to abstain from the L-20 conference because they are unhappy with the Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh’s (BMS) selection to serve as chair. The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) is in favour of the BMS.
- The International Trade Unions Confederation (ITUC), according to the CTUs, presided over L-20 sessions in the past, and the BMS isn’t an ITUC member.
- The Indian National Trade Union Congress (INTUC) requested to chair the L-20 as well, but the Centre denied their request, claiming that the BMS is India’s largest trade union.
