Trade unionists from G7 countries met with Ministers, international policymakers and business leaders in Cagliari today to
- Underline the urgent need for Governments to deliver environmentally and socially sustainable growth with real wage growth for working people.
- Tackle the climate crisis by scaling up climate action, with a socially just transition for working people, and the costs and benefits of the green transition shared equitably.
- Highlight the importance of managing the introduction of artificial intelligence, its risks and potential benefits, through social dialogue between governments, employers and workers’ unions.
The unions from G7 countries – the Labour 7 (L7) coordinated by the Trade Union Advisory Committee to the OECD (TUAC) and the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC) – agreed a joint statement with business representatives from G7 countries. The joint statement – ‘Shaping the advancement of Artificial Intelligence through social dialogue’ – calls on G7 governments to
- adopt regulatory frameworks and policies that promote the principle of humans in control of AI;
- promote the role of social partners in the design, implementation and monitoring the use of AI systems in the world of work;
- put in place tripartite mechanisms at national and local levels to foster social dialogue.
“The cost-of-living crisis continues to have a serious impact on the standard of living of millions of working people. At the same time, the climate crisis and the rapid growth of artificial intelligence, also pose serious risks for workers and require urgent action. The time for concerted regulation and action through social dialogue and collective bargaining is now."
“Our joint statement with employers shows that collective bargaining will be critical to ensure that the spread of AI benefits everyone, and I hope it will result in an upturn in social dialogue,” added Veronica Nilsson.
“Current geopolitical tensions and conflicts are destroying the lives of countless working people and deepening the impact of converging crises. The G7 needs to lead with ambition to advance real, robust democracy built on a foundation of peace and the rule of law to promote social justice. We need concrete measures to advance the fight against inequalities and respond to the climate emergency."
Taking part in the discussion with trade unions from G7 countries were Marina Elvira Calderone, Minister of Labour and Social Policies, Italy; Alison McGovern, Minister for Employment, United Kingdom; Thea Lee, Deputy Undersecretary for International Affairs, US Department of Labour; Nicolas Schmit, EU Commissioner, Jobs and Social Rights; Stefano Scarpetta, Director, Employment, Labour and Social Affairs, OECD; Celeste Drake, Deputy Director General, ILO and Roberto Suarez, Secretary General, International Organization of Employers (IOE).
Trade union leaders present included Veronica Nilsson, General Secretary of TUAC; Luc Triangle, General Secretary of ITUC; Bea Bruske, President of the Canadian Labour Congress (CLC); Yasmin Fahimi, President of the German trade union confederation (DGB); Tomoko Yoshino, President of the Japanese trade union confederation (Rengo); and Italian trade union leaders Maurizio Lndini (CGIL), Luigi Sbarra (CISL), Pierpaolo Bombardieri (UIL).
