Decent work is central to the four strategic objectives of the International Labour Organisation relating to rights at work, in particular those defined as fundamental by the Declaration of Fundamental Principles Rights and at Work and its Follow-up, adopted in 1998.
For the ILO, it is necessary to put in place economic policies to stimulate the creation of more and better jobs, to reduce informal work, to fight against child labour and slavery as well as against all forms of discrimination. It is also imperative to promote youth employment, extend and improve social protection, stimulate education and vocational training and strengthen workers' rights.
This implies that women and men all over the world benefit from decently paid employment carried out under conditions of equality, freedom, including freedom of association and total security in order to guarantee a dignified life.
Decent and productive work is the main tool in overcoming poverty that afflicts millions of working people around the world. It is fundamental for building more democratic societies and for combating all forms of exclusion.
On this international day of Decent Work October 7, it is time to strengthen our reflection on the right to decent work for all.
The WMCW offers you a four-part Review of Life about the situations experienced during this period of coronavirus pandemic. Propose it to your activists and send your thoughts to the This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Good reflection !
On 1st May, International Workers’ Day, as a World Movement of Christian Workers, we commemorate:
The liberating feat of the martyred workers of Chicago, USA, 1884. Those who with their days of protest, stoppages and boycotts, from May 1 to 4, 1884, claimed an 8-hour day of work: "eight hours for labour eight hours for recreation and eight hours for rest ”- American Federation of Labour.
Our commitment as a Christian workers' movement, articulated to the struggles of all the workers in the countryside and the city; in achieving a Decent Life expressed in: decent work days, fair wages and humane conditions in the work environment.
To our brothers and sisters of popular movements and organizations
Dear Friends,
I often recall our previous meetings: two at the Vatican and one in Santa Cruz de la Sierra, and I must tell you that this “souvenir” warms my heart. It brings me closer to you, and helps me re-live so many dialogues we had during those times. I think of all the beautiful projects that emerged from those conversations and took shape and have become reality. Now, in the midst of this pandemic, I think of you in a special way and wish to express my closeness to you. In these days of great anxiety and hardship, many have used war-like metaphors to refer to the pandemic we are experiencing. If the struggle against COVID-19 is a war, then you are truly an invisible army, fighting in the most dangerous trenches; an army whose only weapons are solidarity, hope, and community spirit, all revitalizing at a time when no one can save themselves alone. As I told you in our meetings, to me you are social poets because, from the forgotten peripheries where you live, you create admirable solutions for the most pressing problems afflicting the marginalized.
I know that you nearly never receive the recognition that you deserve, because you are truly invisible to the system. Market solutions do not reach the peripheries, and State protection is hardly visible there. Nor do you have the resources to substitute for its functioning. You are looked upon with suspicion when through community organization you try to move beyond philanthropy or when, instead of resigning and hoping to catch some crumbs that fall from the table of economic power, you claim your rights. You often feel rage and powerlessness at the sight of persistent inequalities and when any excuse at all is sufficient for maintaining those privileges. Nevertheless, you do not resign yourselves to complaining: you roll up your sleeves and keep working for your families, your communities, and the common good. Your resilience helps me, challenges me, and teaches me a great deal.
The world is upside down! The planet is in a state of panic!
And all this because of a small, elusive virus that attacks both rich and poor, that crosses borders "without showing its papers"!
And this small, odourless, colourless virus is stronger than any media campaign or international trade union: it blocks the entire world economy, makes the stock exchanges from Tokyo to New York stagger, terrorises all political and economic leaders, calls into question the functioning of the globalised neo-liberal economy, forces us to talk about "downturn"?
"Cast down the mighty from their thrones,..."
Lord God, You who hear the joys and sorrows of this world,
with WMCW movements, united in one heart and one faith, we want to tell you:
Look at the thousands of distressed people,
And give us the strength to widen our gaze!
The violence against women and girls occurs all over the world. While some countries condemn it strongly, a great part of world population still considers it as “normal”. However, this violence, not only undermines women’s integrity, reduces their access to the essential services and resources.
We are grateful for many men and women who continue, courageously, to advocate for the elimination of violence against women and girls. All supporting initiative is commendable and its effects will be felt, through Christ, in all the areas of Church life.
WMCW on the occasion of 8th March (International Day of Women) declares that we are ready to face to any attempt to excuse, cover up or justify the violence. We declare that this violence is an offence against God, humanity and earth.
Our struggle is to work for eliminating violence against women and girls in its different forms (sexual, religious, psychological,…) and to promote their dignity.
We must no longer to cover our ears before the despair cries, nor stifle them keeping in silence or locking within the four walls of home by pride, fear, honour or safety...because the violence against women and girls is a sin.
- Special INFOR issued on the occasion of the 50 years of history of WMCW
- Social justice is the true continuity of Christmas
- International Migrants' Day on Dec. 18th: "Decent Work for All Migrant Workers"
- WMCW Prayer for Decent Work (October 7th, 2019)
- October 7th, 2019: World Day of Action for Decent Work
- WMCW STATEMENT - INTERNATIONAL LABOUR AY- 1st MAY
- 8th MARCH, 2019: "Before being a Woman, a Woman is a Human Being"
- Solidarity message: December 18th, International Day of Migrant Workers
- 7th October 2018: WMCW Message on the World Day of Action for Decent Work
- WMCW Prayer for Decent Work - October 7th, 2018
- Tripartism Plus - Rethinking Social Dialogue in Times of Globalisation and Informalisation
- ILO Conference 2018, Geneva: Rethinking Social Dialogue in times of Globalization and Informalization
- May 1st, 2018 : Message from the WMCW
- March 8th, 2018: Declaration of the World Movement of Christian Workers (WMCW)
- Final Declaration of the International Meeting of Workers' Organisations, Rome, November 2017
- Message of Pope Francis to the participants in the International Conference “From Populorum progressio to Laudato si’”, Vatican City, November 23rd-24th, 2017
- Prayer for 7th October, 2017
- The World Movement of Christian Workers will gather in Spain for its International Seminar and General Assembly
- Final Statement of the International Seminar and General Assembly of WMCW - Ávila (Spain) 2017
- WMCW May 1st Statement: "Long Live the Working Class!"