The enlargement of democracy around the world has generally improved the context in which the rights are realized. However, an examination of information available to the ILO shows that significant problems still exist. The report calls for action so that the promises and commitments, made by governments at the Ministerial Conference of the World Trade Organization in Singapore, the World Summit for Social Development in Copenhagen, and in the ILO Declaration on Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work, can be realized. Bank tellers fear a shift to on-line financial transactions and the elimination of the branch network. Many workers wonder about the impact on their community of the next big merger.
Government employees see former colleagues rehired on lower wages and benefits as subcontractors.
And nobody seems to have a clear idea where it is all leading, who will be the ultimate winners and what will happen to the losers. In the debate about globalization, one of the most frequently expressed concerns is the rise of uncertainty. Rapid technological innovation, ups and downs in foreign exchange and stock markets, changing trade and organizational patterns are all feeding through rapidly into turmoil at workplaces all over the world.