BWI International Youth Committee on Decent Work Day

Today marks World Day for Decent Work where we, the youth members of BWI, continue the fight for decent work and a better future for all. We keep in mind that more than 200 million people are unemployed worldwide and workers’ rights are under threat from oppressive regimes and their austerity measures.

We are all witnesses to the devastating global effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly the rising number of unemployed young workers. This was confirmed by an ILO report which shows that 1.6 billion workers were affected.

Our aspiration for decent work includes fair income, security in the workplace and social protection for workers and our families. It also covers better prospects for personal development and social integration, and freedom for workers to express their concerns as organised labour.

Thus, we call on our respective governments to prioritise the following: 

- Protection of workers’ rights and freedoms

- Job creation and employment strategies for youth

- Ensure health and safety of workers

- Inclusive social protection 

- Gender equality

- Ratification of ILO Convention 190 on the Violence and Harassment in Workplaces

We need decent work for a better future, because any economic growth that doesn’t address the multiple crises of unemployment, poverty and gender inequality is not development at all.

Lebohang Ramabolu

Chair of BWI International Youth Committee