Under the banner of “Solidarity, Equality and Sustainability”, this year’s Presidency built on the progressive legacy of Brazil and established several expert groups that released reports with important policy recommendations on inequalities, debt and industrial policy.
The Summit adopted the G20 South Africa Summit Leaders’ Declaration, which put a strong emphasis on development and African priorities. Trade unions welcome:
- The acknowledgement of the importance of good quality jobs and decent work at the heart of sustainable industrialisation, as well as the crucial role of robust labour institutions, fair wage-setting mechanisms and universal social protection in reducing inequalities.
- The recognition of the need for coordinated policies that link industrialisation, the creation of decent jobs, social protection, and respect for labour rights as engines of inclusive economic growth.
- The inclusion of specific targets on youth employment, women’s labour-force participation and the gender pay gap, previously agreed by G20 Labour and Employment Ministers.
- The recognition of national Just Transition pathways as key enablers of climate action. G20 Leaders also supported robust economic, social and environmental standards in the exploration of critical minerals.
- Commitments to increase investments and social protection in the care economy, along with the call to support the adoption and implementation of universal social protection systems.
- The acknowledgement of the importance of addressing human rights, transparency and explainability, regulation, safety and human oversight to ensure safe, secure and trustworthy AI.
While the Declaration is a positive step forward, political ambition falls short in key areas that are vital to reduce inequalities such as advancing minimum living wages, strengthening collective bargaining and strong commitments on international taxation. The text notably fails to take up key recommendations of theG20 Extraordinary Committee of Independent Experts on Global Inequality.
The G20 needs to set a strong political agenda for the fight against inequalities. G20 Leaders must build on the outcomes of the report of the G20 Extraordinary Committee of Independent Experts on Inequality and advance concrete commitments to reduce inequalities, including through constructively engaging in the development of a robust UN Tax Convention and supporting the creation of an International Panel on Inequality.
To show its relevance as a multilateral platform, the G20 must deliver on its promises of shared prosperity and lead to concrete actions at domestic and international levels. Measurable targets on decent work creation, freedom of association, strengthened collective bargaining and minimum living wages need to be at the centre of G20 strategies to truly advance solidarity, equality and sustainability.
The United States of America will assume the G20 Presidency on 1 December.
Image credit: G20
