International Trade Union Confederation

The current development model is broken. It prioritises economic gains and market-driven approaches over real human and social needs. Public funding for development is insufficient, while an overreliance on private sector involvement has proven ineffective in delivering sustainable outcomes. This ideological focus results in a model that exacerbates inequality, leaving workers and their communities behind, with the wealthiest 1 per cent now holding over half of the world’s wealth. The much-repeated promise of “from millions to billions” has failed to materialise into tangible benefits for workers or meaningful social progress.

Globally and nationally, development policies are too often shaped without the involvement of trade unions, leading to outcomes that fail to address workers’ realities and needs. It is essential that governments and international organisations recognise the critical role that trade unions play when actively included in developing, implementing, and monitoring these policies. Establishing and maintaining robust tripartite social dialogue platforms would foster inclusive policies that put people and the planet at the centre. The ITUC has seen successful examples where such platforms have led to more equitable development, but this approach must become the norm, not the exception.

The 2030 Agenda and its Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), based on its three economic, social and environmental dimensions, represents a unique opportunity to drive forward policies that align with the labour movement’s vision for sustainable development. Core goals such as SDG 5 (gender equality), SDG 8 (full employment, decent work and inclusive growth), SDG 10 (reduced inequality), and SDG 13 (climate action) are pivotal for creating a fairer global system. The ITUC advocates for boosting the implementation the SDGs, with decent work at the core.

The role of the ILO: The ILO has a leading role in fostering the SDGs and SDG 8 in particular. The ITUC champions the ILO’s leadership in UN-led development processes and supports its central role in implementing the Global Accelerator on Jobs and Social Protection for Just Transitions. This initiative is vital for creating millions of decent jobs—especially in the green, digital, and care economies—and for expanding social protection to billions currently without coverage. The ITUC has witnessed the positive outcomes of ILO-led initiatives where tripartite collaboration has led to improved labour standards and sustainable economic growth.

The role of financial institutions: The ITUC uses the SDGs as a tool for advocacy with governments, urging them to guide international financial institutions, such as the International Monetary Fund, World Bank, and Multilateral Development Banks, toward policies that prioritise social and economic resilience. Ensuring that these institutions respect workers’ and trade union rights is a cornerstone for sustainable development that truly promotes social justice over profit. A similar dialogue is promoted with the Development Assistance Committee to the OECD, and with the European Union on its external action.

The role of UN-Led processes: The ITUC is committed to participating in all major UN-led processes tied to sustainable development. These include the High-level Political Forum for Sustainable Development (HLPF), the Financing for Development Forum, ,and the 2nd World Summit on Social Development, among others. By doing so, the ITUC ensures that trade union perspectives are voiced and that labour rights are embedded in sustainable development strategies from the national to the global level.

The role of United Nations Country Teams: In many countries, the United Nations’ Country Teams, each of them led by a UN Resident Coordinator, play a significant role as they develop together with governments a national development plan called the UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework. The ITUC actively supports national trade unions in engaging with these Teams, equipping them to assess development and SDG progress and advocate effectively with their governments beyond labour ministries. Strengthening trade unions’ involvement in drafting and implementing these Cooperation Frameworks ensures policies are more inclusive and worker-focused.