Ahead of a G20 summit planned for Pittsburgh next week, international union bodies issued a statement today urging summit members to focus on a plan to stem unemployment. Some 25 million more people are expected to lose their jobs before the recession ends, and the unions, representing millions of workers from 155 countries, want the G20 to take action. The statement pointed out that many banks are using bailout funds to award bonuses, saying this points to the advent of a second crisis. It urges summit leaders to work together to take real action, rather than simply condemning what is going on. The statement makes jobs its top priority, pointing to openings in green jobs, but also calls for an overhaul of the financial system, and efforts to stimulate development in third world nations.
See "Unions slam bank greed, urge jobs plan pre-G20", Andy Bruce, Reuters, September 15, 2009