A new report issued by the International Labour Office (ILO) says that workers employed by temporary employment agencies have been among the first to lose their jobs as a result of the financial and economic crisis. At the same time, the report also observes that ratification of ILO Convention No. 181 on private employment agencies can help to promote Decent Work and ensure better functioning labour markets.

450 women trade union delegates from 100 countries will gather in Brussels on 19-21 October, for the 1st ITUC World Women's Conference to analyse the impacts of the global jobs crisis on women and map out international trade union action to improve women’s job security, pay and conditions. “Women all over the world are suffering the terrible effects of the global economic crisis. Shameful financial practices caused this crisis, not women workers, and as we come together for this first ITUC Women’s Conference, it’s time for women workers to be heard and their demands acted upon.” said ITUC Women’s Committee Chair Diana Holland, who will preside over the Conference.

Public sector workers in Romania held strikes and demonstrations on 5th and 7th October to protest against new salary legislation imposed by the government.

PSI affiliates in Colombia and Guatemala organised events and created campaign kits for the World Day for Decent Work on 7th October.

As the economic crisis threatens the jobs and futures of people everywhere, PSI has joined the ITUC and other Global Union Federations in calling on governments to place decent work at the centre of government actions to bring back economic growth and build a new global economy that puts people first. PSI has prepared a statement and calls on its affiliates to mobilise around the World Day for Decent Work.

Four days before the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund officials meet with the Turkish Government, Global Unions met with Turkey’s Minister for Labour, and lent their support to President Abdullah Gül’s veto of a bill giving “Private Labour Offices” broad rights to place temporary workers in enterprises and warned of the dangers that precarious employment poses for society.

A new ITUC report, was released to mark the World Day for Decent Work on 7 October 2009, highlighting trade union actions to fight the crisis in Africa, the Americas, Asia and Europe. The report explains the steps needed to achieve a decent work-led recovery and build a fairer and more sustainable world economy for future generations.

UNI Global Union invites you to a free screening of the new documentary "The Yes Men Fix the World" on October 7, the World Day for Decent Work, in Geneva. UNI is organizing a screening of "The Yes Men Fix the World," a documentary about Andy Bichlbaum and Mike Bonanno: two guys who just can't take "no" for an answer. They have an unusual hobby: posing as top executives of corporations they hate. Armed with nothing but thrift-store suits, the Yes Men lie their way into business conferences and parody their corporate targets in ever more extreme ways - basically doing everything that they can to wake up their audiences to the danger of letting greed run our world. The movie illustrates perfectly why we need a fundamental change to the world financial system and corporate behavior. UNI Global Union and the global union movement need to send the message loud and clear to governments and corporations that the system they have built isn't working.

“A return to a real sustainable economy in the service of the people requires the creation of decent jobs and decent public services. Quality public services are essential in building strong economies and inclusive societies”, says Peter Waldorff PSI General Secretary, on World Day for Decent Work. PSI is calling on its affiliates to mobilise around World Day for Decent Work and call for the creation of decent jobs and the respect of trade union rights for all.

"Precarious Work Affects Us All" is a global union campaign to stop the rise in precarious employment and regain power and justice for working people. On this campaign page you will find links to campaign materials, background information and details on what trade unions around the world are doing to mobilise against precarious work.