International Conference on Universal Social Protection and Labour

March 20, 2019

International Conference on Universal Social Protection and Labour 2019 - Kathmandu (4-6 April 2019)

March 20, 2019

INTRODUCTION, CONCEPT NOTE AND FULL PROGRAMME

On AEPF:The Asia-Europe Peoples’ Forum (AEPF) is a broad and dynamic network of progressive and major civil society organisations and trade unions, including people’s movements, non-government organisations, and issue-based campaign networks across Asia and Europe. For the past 20 years, the AEPF has remained the only continuing civil society inter-regional network connecting people’s movements and advancing their voices in ASEM (Asia Europe Meeting). It has facilitated the immediate and future collaborations among civil society groups in Asia a n d w it h E u ro p e – b a se d organisations to promote people-centred alternatives being built from below.

Since its formation in 1996, it has organised people’s forums parallel to the Asia Europe Meeting (ASEM) summits. The AEPF has made a substantive contribution to putting the imperatives of a people-centred regional integration on the agenda of civil society in Asia and in Europe – addressing issues of regional democratisation, especially on the centrality of citizens’ participation.

On AEPF’s Social Justice Cluster:

AEPF’s Social Justice Cluster works on an extensive and comprehensive concept of social justice with, at its core, an emancipatory and transformative perspective on social protection. The aim is to identify and clarify the many links from social justice to other topics AEPF is working on, such as peace and security, climate and environmental policies, trade, economics, etc. In our view, social protection is not a corrective mechanism of a failed economic system, but a crucial element contributing to systemic change. At the last AEPF in Ghent, October 2018, a Global Charter for Social Protection Rights was adopted. It serves as a guideline for social movements developing their own social agenda with their own priorities.

The Social Justice cluster has organised in 2018 a conference on public services in Manila and a conference on social commons in Barcelona. The third conference we are now preparing will focus on labour, linked to problems of democracy, migration, ecology and the rise of right-wing populism. This conference is organised in Nepal because of the new opportunities offered by the progressive government and the interesting developments at the level of the left and social movements.

Prior to our conference, on April 4th, 2019, we will have a joint session with the Peace and Security Cluster of AEPF, celebrating the 100th anniversary of the International Labour Organisation which states in its Constitution that ‘lasting peace is not possible without social justice’.

Concept note

Universal Social Protection is a condition for human survival which must be prioritized by governments in all countries.

  • Article 22 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights states “Everyone, as a member of society, has the right to social security.”
  • The Sustainable Development Goals, particularly SDG 1.3, aims to “ Implement nationally appropriate social protection systems and measures for all, including floors, and by 2030 achieve substantial coverage of the poor and the vulnerable”.
  • The ILO has a slew of instruments, starting with the Social Security (Minimum Standards) Convention, 1952 (No. 102) and encompasses health insurance, medical care and sickness benefits, unemployment benefits, labour accident insurance and benefits, pensions, family and maternity benefits, invalidity allowances, survivors’ benefits.
  • The ILO adopted in 2012 a Recommendation on Social Protection Floors (202) with the basic elements of social protection to be available for all. The reality in most of the developing world is still very far from the realization of these goals. In fact, less than 30 % of the world population is covered by social security systems. In Asia, one of the world’s most dynamic regions, working conditions remain poor, they do not lead to stable incomes and cannot lift workers out of poverty.

Universal social protection means that everyone must have access to all services: besides basic social security, labour rights, access to universal benefits of health, education, civic services like water, energy, sanitation, public transport, clean air and environment, and basic human needs like shelter, food, clothing. Access to all these needs is integral to the survival and well-being of human existence. It must therefore be treated as part of a commons which must be preserved and extended by the national state, to make it accessible for all.

What is the Global Social Protection Charter?

“social protection is a commons, emerging from the democratic and participatory actions of citizens with demands for public authorities. Social protection is not a correction mechanism for the economic system, but should be transformative, that is, contribute to a better productive system and to the sustainability of life. We see social protection as a collective and democratic endeavour for achieving a life in dignity for all. Considering that social protection is justified by a social justice imperative, by aiming at sustainable human development and security, providing all people with an opportunity for a life in dignity.” (From the Global Social Protection Charter)

The Global Social Protection Charter initiated by the Social Justice Cluster of the AEPF is an aspirational document which has been in circulation for two years, and has been signed by organisations in many countries. Its aim is to build a perspective around and support campaigns and projects towards the provision of universal and comprehensive social protection in different parts of the world.

The GSPC sees social protection as being part of a social process of structural social solidarity and not as charity. Social protection goes beyond pover ty reduction, social security and social assistance, and is aimed at eradicating and preventing pover ty, reducing inequalities and ensuring decent livelihoods for all. Social protection is also part of a reproduction process that cannot be de-linked from a production process. Both should be aimed at the sustainability of life It must consist of material and immaterial elements, monetary allowances and additional inkind support where appropriate. Most elements of social protection must and can be realized immediately, though other parts will necessarily be realized in a progressive way, depending on available resources. Social protection is a primary responsibility of States, while some responsibilities are to be taken by subnational authorities and social organisations, and a substantial contribution is to be provided by international solidarity. The Charter is not a binding text but a reference document which can be used by movements aiming at an emancipatory and transformative social protection, avoiding the traps of neoliberalism and right-wing populism.

Just as in previous meetings, we want to look at the European as well as on the Asian situation. We very well know the circumstances and the level of wealth and development are very different, as well between as within our respective regions. Nevertheless, what we want to show is the fact that it is one logic at work, neoliberal globalisation, worsened by right-wing populism, with similar consequences in both regions. In this specific conference, we want to focus on the dismantlement of economic and social rights in general, and labour rights in particular, the weakening of trade unions, the shrinking space for social movements. We want to reflect on possible solutions, the role of social movements, the future of work and the possibilities offered by our Global Charter.

What we want to achieve is

Stocktaking of the situation in Europe and Asia with unemployment, poverty and inequality, migration and climate crisis, as well as its consequences for democracy with the emergence of rightwing populism;

  • Overview of the (new) geopolitical actors at the national and global level;
  • Insights in new productive models and the identification of the crucial elements for the future of work in an era of new technologies with their consequences on labour markets;
  • Insights in the crisis of reproduction, the gender and care problems as well as the worsening situation of peasants, both with the potential of being a crucial part of the solution to our social and economic problems;
  • Clarification on the philosophy of our Global Charter and identification of the concrete possibilities it offers for the work of social movements on social justice;
  • The development of a common narrative on social problems and social justice, linked to other sectors of AEPF campaigns, such as peace, democracy, ecology, trade and food sovereignty, and, more in general, shaping new politics.
  • To popularize the AEPF Peoples Agenda and other documents adopted by the AEPF like the Global Social Protection Charter. To make concrete proposals for their advocacy and adoption by governments and organizations.

International Conference on Universal Social Protection, Labour, Security and Peace
Organised by
Asia Europe People’s Forum, Social Justice and Peace and Security Clusters and
Nepal Partners Kathmandu, 4-6 April 2019
Thursday, 4 April 2019

Opening Plenary and Joint session
Thursday, 4 April, 2-6 pm 1:30-2:00 pm: Registration

2:00 – 3:30 pm: The journey to peace, security and social justice: collective experiences, challenges, opportunities and way forward
Dr Sarba Khadka, IDS Nepal
Chief Guest/ High Representative, Nepal
Narayankaji Shrestha, Spokesperson of CPN and Former Deputy PM, Nepal (TBC) Xavier
Benito Ziluaga, MEP, GUE Podemos, Spain
Julie Ward, MEP, S & D Labour, U.K.
Pryanca Radhakrishnan, MP, Labour Party, New Zealand
Chairs/Facilitation: Dr Dinesh C. Devkota, Nepal and Dr Francine Mestrum, Belgium

Tea/Coffee Break

4:00 – 6:00 pm: ‘Universal and lasting peace can be established only if it is based upon social justice’ (ILO Constitution, Preamble)
Keynote speaker:
Dagmar Walter, ILO South Asia
Speakers:
Anuradha Chenoy (retired), Professor Jawaharlal Nehru University, India
Nimalka Fernando, Human Rights Activist, Sri Lanka
Daman Nath Dhungana, Former Speaker of House of Representatives, Nepal (TBC)
Dr. Rajan Bhattarai, Foreign Affairs Advisor to the PM of Nepal (TBC)
Chairs/Facilitation: Meena Menon, India and Dong Huy Cuong, Vietnam

Friday, 5 April 2019

Session One: 9:00 am to 1:00 pm
Stocktaking: Labor markets in Europe and Asia, informal sector, precariousness, platform economy, wages, and geo-politics of labor rights, democracy and representation
Speakers:
Christophe Aguiton (Attac, France), Chris King Chi CHAN (AMRC, Hong Kong), Rene Ofreneo (University of the Philippines), Dr Shiva Sharma (National Labor Academy, Nepal), David Adler (Diem25, Greece), AU Loong Yu (Borderless Movement, Hong Kong)
Chairs/Facilitators: Dharmendra Kumar (India) and Tina Ebro (Philippines)

Session Two: 2:00 pm to 6:00 pm
Productive Transformation and the creation of value (1): The crisis of production and the future of work. How to link productive issues to the social and ecological agenda and how to identify the desirable changes on labour markets? What are the solutions in the age of robotization and the age of artificial intelligence? How to integrate social issues in order to guarantee security for all? How to develop productive commons?
Speakers:
Roland Kulke (Transform, Germany), Anita Gurumurthi (IT for Change, India), Thomas Coutrot (Attac, France), Mikyung Ryu (KCTU, South Korea), Bishnu Prasad Rimal (Principal Advisor to the PM & former President of GEFONT, Nepal), Farooq Tariq (Awami Workers Party, Pakistan).
Chairs/Facilitators: Pampha Busal (MP, Nepal) and Bruno Deceukelier (WSM, B)

Saturday, 6 April 2010

Session Three: 9:00 am to 1:00 pm
Productive transformation and the creation of value (2): The crisis of reproduction. The issues of care, gender and agriculture – at the crossroads between production and reproduction – as well as public services are at the heart of the current crisis for people’s livelihoods, with dramatic consequences in terms of poverty, suicides, violence and migration. How to valorize these sectors in order to improve people’s livelihoods? Speakers:
Federica Giardini (University of Rome, Italy), Prabha Pokhrel (Home Based Workers Concern Society, Nepal), Kiran Moghe (AIDWA, India), Ganesh BK (Rastriya Dalit Network), Eric Villanueva (Institute for Popular Democracy, Philippines). Chairs/Facilitators: Dr Renu Adhikari (Nepal) and Sandeep Chachra (India)

Session Four: 2:00 pm to 4:30 pm
Global Charter for Social Protection Rights
Look at the philosophy of our Charter and identify the concrete possibilities it offers for enforcing concrete priorities of local/national social movements.
Speakers:
Francine Mestrum (Global Social Justice, Belgium), Rayyan Hassan (NGO Forum on ADB), Chandan Kumar (Working People’s Charter, India), Ravi Srivastava (Institute for Human Development, India), Mahesh Dahal (Secy, Ministry of MoLESS) or Ram Prasad Gyawali (Social Security Fund, Nepal), Bismo Sanyoto (Asia network on the Right to Social protection (ANRSP), Arbind Singh (StreetNet, India) Followed by discussion with politicians Dr Binda Pandey (GEFONT, MP Nepal), Charles Santiago (MP, Malaysia), Julie Ward (MEP, UK), Xavier Benito Ziluaga (MEP, Spain), Eleftheria Angeli (Syriza Youth, Greece), Balram Baskota (MP & All Nepal Peasants’ Federation, Nepal), and other Nepalese politicians.
Chairs/Facilitators: Prof. Dr. Sharad Onta (Nepal) and Kris Vanslambrouck (B)

4:30 pm to 6:00 pm: Closing Session Chaired/facilitated by Dr. Sarba

  • Summary presentation from Social Justice Cluster
  • Summary presentation from Peace and Security Cluster
  • Press release
  • Vote of thanks by the organizers

6:00 pm to 8:00 pm
Political discussion with representatives of the different AEPF thematic clusters and politicians: Former PM of Nepal Madhav Kumar Nepal and his team, Head of International Department of CPN, Pryanca Radhakrishnan (New Zealand), Dr Binda Pandey (GEFONT, MP Nepal), Charles Santiago (MP, Malaysia), Julie Ward (MEP, UK), Xavier Benito Ziluaga (MEP, Spain), Eleftheria Angeli (Syriza Youth, Greece) and Nepali politicians.
Chairs/ Facilitators: Dr. Dinesh C. Devkota, and Meena Menon (TBC)

Closing Dinner

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AEPF 12 – Day 3

October 02, 2018

AEPF 12 - Day 3

The concluding day of the AEPF that has been attended by over 400 participants from over 40 countries of Asia and Europe, several Members of Asian and European Parliaments; activists, academics, representatives of social movements, engaged in the democratic and collective process of making a Peoples Agenda that will be presented to the official ASEM on October 18, at Ghent.

This process of the Peoples Agenda as well as a ‘Road Map’, has been discussed for over a year by hundreds of activists in many meetings/ workshops organized by the AEPF, so as to make it truly representative voice from the people at the grass roots, especially the excluded, marginalized, and the many defenders of human rights, climate, trade economic and political and social justice. The final Peoples agenda, was passed in the last plenary session today, with many suggestions from participants.

This peoples’ agenda includes recommendations, suggestions, policy advice on the various intersecting themes of democratization, human rights, social justice, climate justice, fair trade, food sovereignty, peace and security. There are recommendations for the ASEM heads of state, parliamentarians, as also for civil society and organizations.

These recommendations are based on deep research, evidence based studies, comparative analysis, grass roots experience, historical research and impact analysis. They argue that regimes that practice deep and participatory democracy and are inclusive of all sections of society and citizens, and provide for economic, social and political equality and rights, and are based on providing social justice, are regimes that are not only successful in their governance, but are bound to last well, since they have popular support and legitimacy. Arguably, governments and states that do not abide by rule of law, procedural democracy, are authoritarian, deny rights, base themselves on militarism, force are brittle and witness everyday violence and a bitter end.

The Document on the Peoples Agenda, will be available on the AEPF website, once it is officially presented at the ASEM meeting.

Other important plenary documents are the ‘Statement by Parliamentarians Panel’. The parliamentarians who heard the thematic sessions, consulted together and have decided to create an ASEM for Human Rights Forum. They will be working with AEPF as ‘Friends of AEPF’ for putting pressure on key issues from human rights, democracy, just trade, climate justice. The Statement by Parliamentarians is attached.

Another important document released is “Global Charter for Universal Social Protection: Rights by all for all”. This again is the outcome of many consultations and democratic process and calls for a universal social protection floor, without which global inequality and injustice and ecological damage is bound to grow. AEPF accepts this Charter, as do the parliamentarians present at this meeting.

The AEPF concluded with a special thanks to the Belgian 11.11.11. Their hard work over months enabled a smooth functioning and complex arrangement, which was meticulously planned. The people behind this functioning Kris Vanslambrouk and Kathy Bernaets worked behind the scenes for moths to make this come alive.

There was also much appreciation for all members of the AEPF IOC, that planned and worked together for months on skype and other meetings to make this a truly democratic process.

AEPF as a whole is grateful to the European Commission and Devco, for their generosity and support. AEPF is extremely grateful to the experts who came and all the participants who attended. AEPF would be grateful if you continued this support by regularly visiting our website and following us on social media. From our part, we will through the year be putting up the valuable ideas that this AEPF generated, on our website.

Lastly, do not forget the volunteers and others who worked to make this AEPF12 a memorable experience.

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AEPF 12 – Day 2

October 01, 2018

AEPF 12 - Day 2

On Day 2 of the AEPF there was intense discussion in six thematic clusters. The background to all the discussion was the impact of policies Of the last two decades of neoliberal growth, growing inequality and growing power of trans national corporations. In addition there has been the rise of many extremist forces and national security obsessed policies of many governments. The cost of these policies on climate change and ecological damage as human security and well being formed the cross cutting concern.

Democracy and human rights

This cluster focussed on the ground reality, where in many Asian, European and other countries, thousands of activists and human rights defenders are struggling to survive the suspension of constitutional rights and rule of law, even as judicial processes become a means of punishing trials and tribulations. Further vigilante forces use mob violence and get impunity from ruling regimes.

This cluster had detailed discussions on the problems faced by migrants. They asked for just policies concerned with human dignity of migrants and refugees. This cluster did a analysis of fundamentalisms and all forms of violent extremisms, and also showed that hoe policies to counter these also violated rights.

Social Justice

Experts and activists gave various arguments that disproved the rationale given by multilateral agencies and governments for the ongoing privatisation of social services, i.e., lack of funds, inefficiency, bureaucratization, government monopolization. Evidence on the contrary shows that that private public partnerships (PPPs) are more expensive, generate more profit, are more corrupt, less efficient and less sustainable than using public finance, co-operative holding, management and delivery.

Speakers showed that there were now thousands of examples where municipalities along with local people have effectively and collectively taken over basic public services from water, energy, transport.

The social justice cluster adopted a Charter That proposes to: “Work with social movements and workers’ organisations to develop a people-centred Global Social Protection Charter that will guarantee decent work, sustainable livelihoods, and universal and comprehensive social protection systems that include food, essential services and social security.”

This cluster proposed that all countries have legislation to ensure that people have a rights to public services that are institutionalized and insulated from market forces and political patronage. It was also proposed that:

The objectives of governments, should be universal, free and quality health care, free education up to the tertiary level, affordable decent public housing, a living requirement for water and energy, as well as affordable and reliable transport.

Public services should be financed by governments by building the political will to enforce real progressive taxation and abandoning unjust tax policies which allow the rich to hide their wealth through tax havens and illegal money flows.

PPPs should be abandoned in favour of public-poor-partnerships. Local communities should be encouraged to participate fully in the planning, implementation and oversight of projects.

Climate Justice and Just Transition

The speakers in the climate justice cluster, called for immediate and urgent action to stop global temperatures from rising. The crucial message from this cluster is that: “The climate crisis is escalating further and will reach catastrophic levels at a planetary scale unless urgent actions in every country and in a global scale are undertaken.” Speakers emphasised that these actions must lead to profound transformation of the global system which is the root cause of the climate crisis. They proposed that steps to be taken from transformation of energy systems – away from the production and consumption of fossil fuels; limit the rise of global temperature We are keen to follow and act with activists on related questions.

Trade Justice & Corporate Accountability

In this cluster, the speakers said that the huge power of TNCs has resulted in monopoly of control and exploitation of natural resources that impacts people’s access to land, water and sea as the source of their livelihood. This power is increasing through economic globalization and the vehicle of free trade and investments agreements.

The participants and speakers called for a conceptualisation and public action on: First, reclaim people’s rights (#ReclaimOurRights); and Second reclaim people’s economy sovereignty (#ReclaimOurEconomy) This involves reclaiming peoples’ rights, actions by generating knowledge and public action on (1) the free trade agenda and (2) corporate power and impunity.

The experts agreed that there were human rights violations in both politics and in the economy. In relation with FTAs implementation, it was proposed that Parliaments should have the power to assess the negotiation results on the bases of these impact assessments and these be framed within a human rights framework.

In relation with the Constitutional lawsuits over trade and investment agreements the experiences from the CSOs lawsuit against FTAs should be documented by the movements and CSOs and we can use these for advocacy and provide information to policy makers. We will work with AEPF on Trade and Investment and the Binding Treaty.

Food Sovereignty and Natural Resource Justice

The analysis and ideas proposed by AEPF were linked with the Emancipatory Rural Politics Initiative (ERPI) – that aims to encourage debate and action among scholars, activists, and policymakers concerned with issues related to rural and peasant distress and possible alternative policies are urgent and timely, especially because of exclusionary rural politics. It was decided to work with AEPF on these issues.

Peace and Security Cluster

Peace activists and speakers in this cluster, recognised that peace movements have had a positive input in the adoption of the legally-binding treaty to ban nuclear weapons (2017); the peace process in the Koreas; Mongolia accepting nuclear free status:and collaborating with civil society; Security Council Resolution 1325.

However the concerns were expressed about continuation armed conflicts, military interventions, proliferation of nuclear weapons; terrorism, politicized religious fundamentalism, enforced displacement; severe refugee crisis; xenophobia populisms and the rise of the militant right wing; militarization of land, seas and space.

Speakers agreed to continue to put pressure that nuclear-weapon states to immediately enter, sign, ratify and implement the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons; take serious steps to cut military expenditures. The cluster asked for negotiations in major hot spots like West Asia; encourage peaceful resolution of disputes in the South China Sea in accordance with international law, notably the UN Charter and UNCLOS.

All the clusters showed that on all these issues concerning rights, democracy, climate, environment, protection of refugees, and all kinds of justice, there were peoples resistance. Despite the pressure and campaign to silence and suppress thousands of human rights defenders, students, activists and concerned citizens continue to stand their ground and continue to struggle to assert and protect inalienable rights and freedoms.

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