Place: New York, USA

Dates: April 23 – May 4, 2012

Once again trade unions called on governments to raise their ambition for Rio+20 outcomes. In this regard unions asked them to firstly recognize that social protection systems are fundamental for addressing and reducing inequality and social exclusion, and secondly to make specific decisions to ensure basic social protection for all by implementing social protection floors.

Unions demand a global commitment to ensure Decent and Green Jobs for all. Achieving sustainable development very much depends on the capacities of our societies to reduce unemployment, to eradicate working poverty and promote employment opportunities that reduce the impact of production on the environment. An initiative where governments will commit to do their utmost to reduce unemployment, eliminate working poverty and develop jobs that are decent in sustainable sectors particularly for youth and women, should be part of Rio+20’s outcomes.

Sustainlabour brought forth these demands as part of the Trade Union delegation during its participation at the second round of informal-informal negotiations on the zero draft of the Rio+20 discussions.