The
International Labour Organization (ILO), in a joint statement with other
international agencies attending the Paris G7 meeting, has called for countries
to implement a range of measures to tackle inequality.
The joint communiqué, signed by the French Minister of Labour and the heads of
the ILO, International Monetary Fund and the Organisation for Economic
Cooperation and Development, states that “increased inequalities within
countries pose risks to inclusive growth, economic stability and social
cohesion, both in advanced economies and in developing countries.”
The statement points to the absence of strong and effective policy responses to
citizens’ calls for social justice, and states that high inequalities
“contribute to the erosion of trust in democratic institutions and may
ultimately challenge the foundation of our rules-based international
cooperation system.”
“The fight
against inequalities is inextricably linked with the battle for greater social
justice. It is imperative that we work together to address these critical
issues,” said ILO Director-General, Guy Ryder. “This is precisely the
commitment we have all made in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable
Development .”
The communiqué calls for more investment in education, health and social
protection. This, it says, would play an essential role in generating equal
opportunity, supporting social and political stability, addressing income
inequalities and protecting vulnerable groups.
Increased social spending can also address the challenges emerging from
demographic shifts, technological developments and climate change, it adds.
This would also support the G7 social members’ call for a multilateral dialogue
and coordination to reduce inequalities.
The issue of inequality has been debated at a number of G7 meetings during the French
Presidency ,
notably at the G7 Labour and Employment Ministers meeting in June 2019 and the
G7 Leaders’ Summit in August 2019.
