Despite unprecedented economic growth over the last decades, wages have stagnated globally and have not kept pace compared to rising productivity, nor unprecedented economic growth. Millions of workers across the world are not earning enough to live in dignity. Wage inequality is also increasing, with the highest-wage earners enjoying a wage rise multiple times faster than the average. The share of labour income in GDP is declining, and profits are not being shared with workers through pay rises.
Unions are campaigning in Africa, Asia, Europe and Latin America to demand fair and decent wages. They are calling on their governments to set minimum living wages, based on evidence on the cost of living and with the full involvement of social partners.
Unions are also campaigning to fix taxation systems that are allowing corporations to avoid their responsibilities to the society and public services we all depend on. Unions are moreover demanding that adequate, comprehensive social protection systems be put in place in order to guarantee income security for workers and their families as part of a comprehensive strategy of reducing inequality and promoting adequate living standards for all.