A scene of the Decent Work Rally

The "Stand Up" for global action at the Rengo rally

On Oct. 16th, Rengo held the Decent Work Rally, calling for the realization of humane jobs and decent livings at Hibiya Open-air Stage in Chiyoda Ward, Tokyo with participation of 2,000 people.

This rally was held responding to the world chain movement, simultaneous labor union rallies, requested by ITUC which has been working on the realization of "Decent Work" in cooperation with affiliated organizations throughout the world.

Rengo's new president Koga said at the rally "The globalization based on market fundamentalism and the world economic downturn lasting from last autumn have deprived workers of humane jobs and decent livings. In order to overcome this economic crisis, the realization of the decent work is an overriding issue. Under the new government led by DPJ, we have to work on this issues to realize a hopeful and safe society with solidarity of all workers."

The "Stand Up" for global action with the Chinese and Korean teams

In the opening ceremony for the team consisting of trade union members from China and South Korea under JILAF's invitation program, the 10 invited participants and JILAF directors, including President Tsuyoshi Takagi, took part in a "Stand Up" demonstration wishing for the achievement of the United Nations Millennium Development Goals.

This "Stand Up" campaign of global action for the achievement of the MDGs began in 2006. On October 16 of this year Rengo (Japanese Trade Union Confederation) held the 2009 Decent Work Rally Calling for the Realization of Humane Work and Life, and all 2,000 participants staged a "Stand Up" demonstration.

The United Nations Millennium Summit in 2000, attended by representatives from 189 member countries, adopted the UN Millennium Declaration as a target for the international community in the twenty-first century and formulated the MDGs, which set specific numerical targets in such fields as (1)the eradication of extreme poverty and hunger, (2)the achievement of universal primary education, (3)the promotion of gender equality and empowerment of women, (4)the reduction of child mortality, (5)the improvement of maternal health, (6)the fight against HIV/AIDS, malaria, and other diseases, (7)the ensuring of environmental sustainability, and the (8)development of a global partnership for development. The aim is to achieve these goals by 2015. However, financial and technical assistance to developing countries are not making headway, and it is said that realization of the goals will be difficult.

From now on JILAF will continue to contribute to solving the problem of poverty in the world through its field projects and invitation program.