Slovenian President discusses concept of decent work in context of globalisation

Geneva, 2.6.2008  |  press release

The President of the Republic of Slovenia, Dr Danilo Türk, today attended the 97th session of the International Labour Conference (ILC), where he delivered an address, in which he discussed the concept of decent work in the context of globalisation. In opening, he explained that we are living in a time of globalisation dictated by the very dynamic development of new technologies, in particular communication technologies, and marked by distinct global economic expansion. The optimists of globalisation state that the new circumstances create new opportunities and promise a good future for everyone. The Slovenian President warned, however, that a more realistic and less enthusiastic view should be taken. As he explained, the globalisation process started centuries ago, the only difference is that today it much more directly affects a much larger number of people than in the past. He also warned that the impact of technology, as historical experience has shown, does not automatically lead to greater freedom and justice or even lasting peace.

The President of the Republic considered that it was not surprising that the current debates on globalisation focused on the issue of the uneven distribution of globalisation results, the ethical and legal aspects of technological development and the many social and political problems created by the present age of globalisation. One important aspect of the debate concerns employment and labour issues and the social and political dimensions of the changes that are intensified by the current financial situation and recent food price increases. All this has had an impact on the formulation of concept of decent work, with its ethical and legal basis.

“Work is not the same as goods. Work adds value in the process of production and is a value in itself. Work and creativity go hand in hand and represent a basic guarantee for the decent life of individuals and a basic guarantee for development,” Dr Türk explained the ethical premises on which the concept of decent work is based. In terms of the legal dimension, the fact that an increasing number of States have been adopting the international legal standards on labour, included in the eight fundamental declarations of the International Labour Organisation (ILO), is encouraging. Nonetheless, additional efforts will have to be made to align labour practice with the standards, warned the President. He added that legal harmonisation with international labour standards, together with statistical data, was the best indicator that social and economic rights, including the right to work, were being implemented.

Dr Türk pointed out, moreover, that decent work represents the first critical step on the path out of poverty, because it ensures social inclusion and development, without which there is no way out of poverty. “Creating employment opportunities and implementing basic labour standards, creating opportunities for a decent wage, social protection and social dialogue between the main partners in society are objectives that are important in the global context. They are also among the criteria by which the era of globalisation will be assessed in future,” stressed President Türk, adding that the circumstances for fulfilling the criteria differed significantly in various parts of the world.

In Europe, social justice and economic competition are essential for development. The concept of decent work has, thus, become also one of the main components of the Lisbon Strategy, said the Slovenian President. He warned that social partnership, quality education and training, and investing in human capital and creativity are important for the success of new policies. The European Union is, he declared, aware of its global responsibility and, therefore, advocates the introduction and development of labour standards throughout the world, including in the shaping of neighbourhood policies and in cooperation with strategic partners. He added that international cooperation is indispensable for implementing the concept of decent work, with the main role in this area being played specifically by the International Labour Organisation, which will continue to have an important role in future.