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“The ILO report is a compromise document that, by its very nature, contains analysis and recommendation with which we disagree,” said Mr. Niles. “This should not detract from its importance or timeliness. But we do question some of the report’s critique of globalization, and we believe its policy recommendations require further discussion.”
The ILO report, entitled “A Fair Globalization: Creating Opportunities for All,” was issued by the World Commission on the Social Dimension of Globalization, chaired by President Tarja Halonen of Finland and President
Benjamin William Mkapa of Tanzania. It was released today at a press conference in London.
The report hails “the potential of the global economy for good.” But it criticizes efforts to alleviate poverty as inadequate and says globalization’s “volatility threatens both rich and poor.” The Commission’s diverse policy prescriptions include better governance, increased development assistance, more transparency in international trade rules and wider adherence to core international labor standards.
“These are broad goals that U.S. business can gladly endorse,” according to Mr. Niles. “But we question the report’s critique of globalization’s failures, and we wonder whether some of its policy prescriptions make sense. Specific recommendations must still be addressed within the ILO itself.”
U.S. business contributed indirectly to the development of the ILO report, and two international employer representatives sat on the World Commission that developed it. But the bulk of Commission members came from government, trade unions and academia. Mr. Niles said the report would be on the agenda at the next week’s meeting of the ILO Governing Body as well as at the ILO’s annual conference in June.
An independent agency of the United Nations, the Geneva-based ILO is a tripartite organization where representatives of government, business and labor develop conventions and other instruments on labor and social policy. U.S. employers take a direct role in the ILO’s work through USCIB’s membership in the International Organisation of Employers
(IOE), which represents business groups in over 130 countries.
USCIB promotes an open system of global commerce in which business can flourish and contribute to economic growth, human welfare and protection of the environment. Its membership includes some 300 leading U.S. companies, professional services firms and associations whose combined annual revenues exceed $3 trillion. As American affiliate of the leading international business and employers organizations, USCIB provides business views to policy makers and regulatory authorities worldwide and works to facilitate international trade.
Contact:
Jonathan Huneke, VP Communications, USCIB
(212) 703-5043 or jhuneke@uscib.org
ILO website
More on USCIB’s Labor and Employment Policy Committee
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