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Millions of young people today face similar situations in the developing and developed countries. They work in temporary work arrangements, informal economy, export processing zones, homes, producing for the Multi-National Companies. They have minimal or no access to social protection such as health care, maternity leave, retirement benefits and paid holidays. Workers in contract jobs and in Export Processing Zones do not have the right to join in workers associations and trade unions in many countries. Young women working in domestic work, flower plantations and in Export Processing Zones often are victims of gender based discriminations, sexual abuse and violence. Young people, especially women, are trafficked with the promise of decent jobs and a better life, are victims of the sex industry and other insecure activities. Many young people who migrate to other countries and to big cities face discrimination, exploitation and exclusion.

More than 120 years ago the workers struggled for the demand of 8 hours work per day as the legal working hours. The ILO conventions on hours of work recognised this right. Yet, after 120 years of this struggle the workers around the world are forced to work unpaid for unacceptably long hours. Countries around the world do not pay enough attention on implementing the legal working hours in a reality where "almost one billion jobs need to be created in the next decade" to address the problem of unemployment.

Neo-liberal economic globalisation has devastated the life and work of young people leaving no protection. Public services like education, water, electricity, transport and health care are privatised leaving the poor and the excluded in the periphery of the society. The number of unemployed people and of the poor is increasing day by day.

IYCW is an International movement of young workers present in 50 countries in all continents. Its actions affects more than 100.000 young workers with or without a job. IYCW defends the right of young workers to live in dignity. Among others, IYCW fights for the right to education, gender equality, vocational training, decent work and social protection. 

IYCW calls upon all nations to respect the rights of workers and to ratify the ILO conventions, enact laws and implement them into policies. Sustainable productive economies can be achieved only through respecting workers rights. Workers protection and health care have a direct influence in the efficiency of production and services that need to be addressed through policies and programs on social protection.

It is high time that the governments, companies and enterprises reduce the working hours without affecting the salary or benefit of the workers to create new jobs. Let us echo the voices of millions of workers who struggle for their rights to achieve decent and sustainable work for all!

 Brussels, 28^th April 2006

Thiruvalluvar Yovel
President,
International Young Christian Workers