An International Labour Organisation Commission headed by President Tarja Halonen and Tanzania's President Benjamin Mkaba has published its report on the social impact of globalisation. It calls for a dramatic rethink by governments and world bodies on the effects of globalisation.
The 168-page report entitled 'A Fair Globalisation, Creating Opportunities for All,' says governments must set fairer rules for trade and immigration to prevent millions from being left behind by globalisation.
The document recognises globalisation's potential for good by promoting open societies and economies. It also says a truly global conscience is beginning to emerge sensitive to poverty, gender discrimination, child labour and environmental degradation.
However, the report points to deep-seated and persistent imbalances in the current workings of the global economy, which it says are ethically unacceptable and politically unsustainable. Viewed by the vast majority of men and women, globalisation has not met their simple and legitimate aspirations for decent jobs and a better future for their children.
The report highlights the growing concern about the direction globalisation is currently taking. Unveiling the Commission's document in London, Halonen pointed out that "equal rules for unequal players ensure unequal outcomes". She adds the Commission is convinced it was time for change.
An urgent rethink of current policies and institutions is needed, the report firmly underlines.
The 26 member commission was set up two years ago by the International Labour Organisation and included policy makers from across the globe and board members from corporations such as Toshiba and Microsoft.
YLE24