Economic power and decision-making are centralized on the one hand, and entrepreneurial activity decentralized on the other. Economic globalization is also used, however, to bring pressure to bear on incomes and social standards. Globalization and deregulation transform the world of work, increasing mass unemployment and heightening social divisions. Competition in the global market and tighter public budgets are used as arguments to postpone the solution of environmental problems. At the same time unemployment and poverty constitute a growing threat to the social bedrock of our society.
Environmental destruction persists.
In many developing countries economic dependence, stagnation and mass poverty have been exacerbated. Trade unions confront these changing realities in companies and in industry, in politics and throughout society. We want to contain the risks and seize the opportunities. We promote the idea that changes in labour and production systems and new technologies be utilized to expand our potential for improving productivity, and thereby social wealth, and sustainable development. Industrialized countries bear a particular responsibility to continue and step up initial moves towards a more ecological approach.