The Swedish government’s attack on development aid is an attack on trade union organising and democracy
The Swedish government's attack on development aid is an attack on trade union organising and democracy Equal Times
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Trade Union Rights and Sustainable Development Goals
Trade union rights are democratic rights. This is becoming increasingly clear in a world where more and more regimes are limiting freedom of speech and the right to organise. Trade unions are often amongst the first to be banned from operating in countries where authoritarian leaders hold power. Through cooperation agreements with the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida), the Swedish trade union movement, like other areas of civil society, has long been an important part of Swedish development aid.
The Importance of Trade Union Activities for Sustainable Development
The international trade union activity is based on our core trade union mission and is grounded in conventions from the United Nations and the International Labour Organization on human, trade union and democratic rights, which Sweden has also endorsed. Sida’s decision to terminate all agreements with Swedish civil society, announced in March, is likely to have severely negative consequences for the ability of Sweden’s development aid sector to achieve the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development’s goals of poverty reduction and democracy development, amongst others.
The Role of Trade Unions in Development Aid
In cooperation with local organisations, trade unions and the rest of Swedish civil society are well anchored in the societies where we work, which is often a prerequisite for effective development aid. Through the development aid organisation Union to Union, the Swedish trade union movement supports, for example, 100 trade union development projects in as many countries.
Through development projects, we collectively work for secure employment conditions, against threats, violence and harassment, for increased democratic space, strengthened gender equality, and the sustainable use of the planet’s resources. In a globalised world, corporate operations extend across borders; therefore, trade union activities must do the same.
Example of Trade Union Activities
One example of a first step in trade union activities supported by Union to Union could mean strengthening the possibility for employees to organise at a factory and start negotiating with the employer for better wages and more reasonable working conditions. This is not an easy step. In many countries, forming a trade union can mean a threat to life or health.
Reconsider the Decision, Sida!
More than a hundred years ago, organising in trade unions was the first step towards the successful labour market model we have today in Sweden; a model that has contributed to few strike days and thus to the economic development for Swedish companies and Sweden as a nation.
Sida has, for some time now, been responsible for the task from the government to investigate changes in the financial support to the strategic partner organisations. One of the proposals the government wanted to investigate is that Sida itself takes over the distribution of financial support to local organisations in partner countries.
This would mean that the role of Swedish civil society in Swedish development aid would more or less disappear. According to the assignment, Sida was to submit its proposals to the government by 8 April at the latest. Instead, Sida has choosen to terminate all agreements with civil society. For those impacted, the consequences will be severe cutbacks and the complete shut-down of operations in different parts of the world.
In its development aid reform agenda, the government clarifies that it wants to contribute to a strong civil society and support organisations, democracy movements, actors and networks that stand for human rights as well as monitor and protect democracy and the principles of the rule of law. Sida’s decision goes in the opposite direction. We urge Sida to reconsider its hasty decision, and for the government to promptly show that it is committed to the incentives of the reform agenda. It would not only anchor development aid in the recipient countries, but also provide a broad anchoring in Swedish civil society. Global trade union activity creates democracy. The world needs more of it, not less.
SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
SDGs Addressed or Connected to the Issues Highlighted in the Article:
- SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth
- SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities
- SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions
Specific Targets Under Those SDGs Based on the Article’s Content:
- SDG 8.7: Take immediate and effective measures to eradicate forced labor, end modern slavery and human trafficking, and secure the prohibition and elimination of the worst forms of child labor.
- SDG 10.7: Facilitate orderly, safe, regular, and responsible migration and mobility of people, including through the implementation of planned and well-managed migration policies.
- SDG 16.6: Develop effective, accountable, and transparent institutions at all levels.
Indicators Mentioned or Implied in the Article:
- Indicator for SDG 8.7: Number of victims of forced labor per 1,000 persons aged 15 and older.
- Indicator for SDG 10.7: Number of countries that have implemented well-managed migration policies.
- Indicator for SDG 16.6: Proportion of population satisfied with their last experience of public services.
Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
| SDGs | Targets | Indicators |
|---|---|---|
| SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth | Target 8.7: Take immediate and effective measures to eradicate forced labor, end modern slavery and human trafficking, and secure the prohibition and elimination of the worst forms of child labor. | Indicator: Number of victims of forced labor per 1,000 persons aged 15 and older. |
| SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities | Target 10.7: Facilitate orderly, safe, regular, and responsible migration and mobility of people, including through the implementation of planned and well-managed migration policies. | Indicator: Number of countries that have implemented well-managed migration policies. |
| SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions | Target 16.6: Develop effective, accountable, and transparent institutions at all levels. | Indicator: Proportion of population satisfied with their last experience of public services. |
Analysis:
The article highlights the importance of trade union rights as democratic rights and the negative consequences of limiting freedom of speech and the right to organize. These issues are connected to several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth
The article emphasizes the role of trade unions in promoting secure employment conditions, fighting against threats, violence, and harassment, and advocating for better wages and working conditions. These efforts contribute to achieving SDG 8, which focuses on promoting sustained, inclusive, and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment, and decent work for all.
SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities
The article mentions the importance of trade union activities in strengthening gender equality and reducing inequalities. Trade unions work towards ensuring fair treatment and equal opportunities for workers, which aligns with SDG 10’s objective of reducing inequalities within and among countries.
SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions
The article highlights the negative consequences of limiting freedom of speech and the right to organize, which undermines democratic rights and institutions. SDG 16 aims to promote peaceful and inclusive societies, provide access to justice for all, and build effective, accountable, and inclusive institutions at all levels.
Based on the content of the article, specific targets under these SDGs can be identified:
Target 8.7: Take immediate and effective measures to eradicate forced labor, end modern slavery and human trafficking, and secure the prohibition and elimination of the worst forms of child labor.
The article mentions that forming a trade union in many countries can mean a threat to life or health. This implies the existence of forced labor and threats to workers’ rights, which aligns with Target 8.7.
Target 10.7: Facilitate orderly, safe, regular, and responsible migration and mobility of people, including through the implementation of planned and well-managed migration policies.
The article emphasizes the importance of well-managed migration policies to ensure safe and responsible mobility of people. This aligns with Target 10.7, which aims to facilitate orderly and safe migration.
Target 16.6: Develop effective, accountable, and transparent institutions at all levels.
The article criticizes the decision to terminate agreements with civil society organizations, which undermines effective and accountable institutions. This aligns with Target 16.6, which focuses on developing transparent and accountable institutions.
The article does not explicitly mention indicators, but based on the identified targets, relevant indicators can be inferred:
Indicator for SDG 8.7: Number of victims of forced labor per 1,000 persons aged 15 and older.
The article implies the existence of forced labor and threats to workers’ rights, which can be measured by tracking the number of victims of forced labor per 1,000 persons aged 15 and older.
Indicator for SDG 10.7: Number of countries that have implemented well-managed migration policies.
The article emphasizes the importance of well-managed migration policies, indicating that the indicator for SDG 10.7 would be the number of countries that have implemented such policies.
Indicator for SDG 16.6: Proportion of population satisfied with their last experience of public services.
The article criticizes the decision to terminate agreements with civil society organizations, which can negatively impact public services. The indicator for SDG 16.6 would be the proportion of the population satisfied with their last experience of public services.
Behold! This splendid article springs forth from the wellspring of knowledge, shaped by a wondrous proprietary AI technology that delved into a vast ocean of data, illuminating the path towards the Sustainable Development Goals. Remember that all rights are reserved by SDG Investors LLC, empowering us to champion progress together.
Source: equaltimes.org
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