The right to unionize is a democratic right. This is becoming increasingly clear in a world where more and more regimes are restricting free speech and the right to organize. In countries with authoritarian leaders in power, trade unions are often the first to be banned. Through its cooperation agreement with the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida), the Swedish trade union movement, like other sectors of civil society, has long been an important part of Swedish development assistance.
International trade unionism is based on the core mission of our trade unions and is based on, and supported by Sweden, the United Nations and International Labor Organization Conventions on Human Rights, Trade Unions and Democratic Rights. Mr. Side's decision, announced in March, to terminate all agreements with Swedish civil society will help Sweden achieve the goals of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, such as poverty reduction and democratic development, among other things. is likely to have a significant negative impact on the capacity of the development assistance sector.
In cooperation with local organizations, trade unions and other parts of Swedish civil society are firmly embedded in the societies in which we work, and this is often a precondition for effective development assistance. The Swedish trade union movement, through the development aid organization Union to Union, supports, for example, 100 trade union development projects in many countries.
Through development projects, we collectively work for safe employment conditions, against intimidation, violence and harassment, expanding democratic space, strengthening gender equality and sustainable use of the earth's resources. In a globalized world, businesses operate across national borders. Therefore, trade union activities need to be carried out in the same way.
An example of the first steps in trade union activity supported by Union to Union is to strengthen the ability of employees to organize in factories and begin negotiations with employers for better wages and more reasonable working conditions. It is possible to do so. This is not an easy step. In many countries, forming a trade union can mean threats to life or health.
Mr. Fern, please reconsider your decision!
More than 100 years ago, union organizing was the first step towards today's successful labor market model in Sweden. This model contributed to the economic development of Swedish companies and the Swedish state due to fewer strike days.
Mr Sida has been responsible for the government's mandate to examine changes in financial support for strategic partner organizations for some time now. One proposal the government wanted to explore is for Sida itself to take over the distribution of financial support to local organizations in partner countries.
This would mean that the role of Swedish civil society in Swedish development assistance would more or less disappear. According to the mission, Sida was to submit a proposal to the government by April 8 at the latest. Instead, Sida has chosen to terminate all agreements with civil society. For those affected, the result will be significant reductions and complete suspension of operations in various parts of the world.
Within the development assistance reform agenda, governments want to support organizations, democratic movements, actors and networks that contribute to a strong civil society, defend human rights, and monitor and protect the principles of democracy and the rule of law. clarified. . Fern's decision goes in the opposite direction. We call on Sida to reconsider its hasty decision and quickly demonstrate that the government is fully committed to advancing its reform agenda. It would not only anchor development aid in recipient countries, but also provide broader anchoring in Swedish civil society. Global trade union activity creates democracy. The world needs more information, not less.
