Africa/Global: The trade union role in achieving the MDGs

Union International Network

"The persistence of extreme poverty and the failure to meet many development goals are usually linked to lack of employment, poor wages and working conditions, and violations of workers' rights. In their most fundamental functions, trade unions work to combat these causes of poverty. Furthermore, in their campaigns trade unions often play a major role in the forefront of working towards results that have become part of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), such as achieving universal primary education or combating the spread of HIV/AIDS. All too frequently however, policy advice and loan conditions counteract trade unions' efforts to contribute to achievement of the MDGs, particularly the attainment of MDG 1 for eradicating extreme poverty."