1st May 2020 – Declaration of the ILO Staff Union

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Today, the 1st of May 2020, is Labour Day. It is an important day for all trade unions and workers around the world.

On this 1st of May 2020, the ILO Staff Union, in its centenary year, pays tribute to all the workers of the ILO and all its trade union representatives.

On this 1st of May 2020, in this year of global pandemic where almost 80% of ILO staff are on compulsory telework, the ILO Staff Union wishes to salute the efforts and the huge work done over the last 6 weeks for the visibility of the ILO.

On this 1st of May 2020, the ILO Staff Union stands in solidarity with workers around the world, some of whom are already in great distress and have already lost their Jobs.

On this 1st of May 2020, the ILO Staff Union reminds us that public services are essential to the human community and thanks all its workers for fighting the pandemic and making the essential services of nations work.

On this 1st of May 2020, the ILO Staff Union calls for greater solidarity among all people and a better distribution of wealth.

On this 1st of May 2020, the ILO Staff Union believes it is important to put people over profit.

On this 1st of May 2020, the ILO Staff Union recalls that it is a fundamental value, enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights: “Every man (and woman) has the right to work”.

On this 1st of May 2020, the ILO Staff Union reconfirms its unconditional defence of a free international civil service, independent of any political pressure from States, as an indispensable tool and workforce for true global multilateralism.

On this 1st of May 2020, the ILO Staff union reiterates the commitment of its workers to the values and principles of the ILO, so that its action continues to be relevant and legitimate in order to define the rules that will govern the future of the world of work.

On this 1st of May 2020, the ILO Staff Union reaffirms the social, cultural and moral value of work and its role as a factor of collective utility and individual status.