Trade Union input on revising the European Consensus on Development

The EU is moving forward with its response to the 2030 Agenda. Its latest consultation process aims to collect stakeholder input for the ongoing revision of the European Consensus on Development. Trade Unions provided their analysis of the key issues at stake and what can be done to maximise the reach and impact of the EU's development work.

Image

The consultation was made up of five major sections: assessing the major trends, the priorities for future action, the means of implementation, the development actors and keeping track of progress.

“High inequality leads to low inter-generational mobility. The capture of the policy agenda by top income earners through their excessive domination of political funding in some countries is leading to a serious distortion of public policy and builds inequity into economic growth models.”

The need to challenge rising income inequality and its many negative impacts is highlighted. For workers and the union movement "leaving no one behind" means recognising and taking action on the ever increasing inequalities people face, within and between countries.

“Social Dialogue and collective bargaining play crucial roles in ensuring fair wage distribution, while also tackling informality. Addressing the issue of a minimum living wage for the “working poor”, constitutes one of the most important priorities to fight inequalities.”

The ways of addressing income inequality are detailed. An enabling environment promoted by the European Union can have a determining impact on the success of these approaches.

Original article and full submission available here