The report notes that there is little awareness among employees in the 23 countries studied. The International Confederation of Free Trade Unions is urging members of the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation group to develop social safety nets, job creation programs and stronger regulation of financial markets to prevent further social and financial turmoil. According to data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, union membership grew by over 100,000 in the United States in 1998. The increase was led by California, which had a net increase of 87,000 union members. Total union membership in the U.S. now stands at 16.2 million.
Most new members are in the service, communications, utilities, and government sectors.
Workers who attempt to improve conditions are subject to brutal repression and harsh punishment. Leaders of workers' strikes are often put behind bars. ILO workers' rights expert William Simpson and Indonesian labor leader Muchtar Pakpahan were featured in the segment. The opinion piece was based on Annan's speech at the World Economic Conference. The SGMA and other soccer ball manufacturers introduced similar measures two years ago in Pakistan.