Global Jobs Pact

Global Jobs Pact
Name	Global Jobs Pact
Date	June 2009
Location	Geneva, Switzerland
Signatories	International Labour Organization (ILO) member states
Depositary	International Labour Organization

Global Jobs Pact. The Global Jobs Pact is an initiative launched by the International Labour Organization (ILO) in June 2009, in response to the Global Financial Crisis and its impact on the global labour market. The pact aims to promote employment and social protection measures, and to mitigate the effects of the crisis on workers and their families, in collaboration with United Nations (UN) agencies, such as the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund (IMF). The pact has been endorsed by G20 leaders, including Barack Obama, Angela Merkel, and Nicolas Sarkozy, and has been supported by international organizations, such as the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) and the World Trade Organization (WTO).

Introduction

The Global Jobs Pact is a comprehensive framework that brings together governments, employers' organizations, and trade unions, such as the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC) and the World Federation of Trade Unions (WFTU), to address the global employment crisis. The pact is based on the principles of social dialogue and decent work, as defined by the ILO, and aims to promote job creation, social protection, and labour rights, in accordance with international labour standards and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. The pact has been influenced by the work of John Maynard Keynes, Amartya Sen, and Joseph Stiglitz, and has been supported by international leaders, such as Ban Ki-moon, Robert Zoellick, and Dominique Strauss-Kahn.

History

The Global Jobs Pact was launched in response to the Global Financial Crisis, which had a devastating impact on the global labour market, leading to widespread unemployment and poverty, as reported by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). The crisis highlighted the need for a coordinated international response to address the employment crisis and to promote sustainable development, as emphasized by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD). The pact was developed in consultation with ILO member states, employers' organizations, and trade unions, including the European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC) and the African Regional Organisation of the International Trade Union Confederation (AFRO ITUC).

Objectives

The Global Jobs Pact has several objectives, including promoting job creation, social protection, and labour rights, in accordance with the ILO Declaration on Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work and the United Nations Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). The pact aims to support small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), microfinance initiatives, and vocational training programs, as promoted by the World Bank and the International Finance Corporation (IFC). The pact also seeks to promote social dialogue and tripartite cooperation between governments, employers' organizations, and trade unions, as exemplified by the European Social Model and the Australian Fair Work Act.

Implementation

The implementation of the Global Jobs Pact involves a range of activities, including policy dialogue, technical assistance, and capacity building, as provided by the ILO and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). The pact has been implemented in several countries, including Brazil, China, India, and South Africa, with the support of international organizations, such as the World Bank and the African Development Bank (AfDB). The pact has also been supported by civil society organizations, such as the International Rescue Committee (IRC) and the Oxfam International.

Impact and Evaluation

The impact of the Global Jobs Pact has been significant, with many countries reporting an increase in job creation and social protection measures, as documented by the ILO and the World Bank. The pact has also contributed to the development of national employment policies and social protection floors, as promoted by the United Nations and the European Union (EU). However, the pact has also faced challenges, including the need for greater international cooperation and resource mobilization, as emphasized by the G20 and the United Nations General Assembly.

International Response

The Global Jobs Pact has received widespread international support, with many countries and international organizations endorsing the pact, including the European Union (EU), the African Union (AU), and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). The pact has also been supported by international leaders, such as Pope Francis, Angela Merkel, and Xi Jinping, and has been recognized as a key initiative in the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the G20 Agenda. The pact has been implemented in collaboration with international organizations, such as the World Health Organization (WHO), the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR).

Category:International labour law