CAW Builds International Links to Fight Precarious Work
Canada

World Day for Decent Work - October 7, 2011

Since the 1970s, Canada has seen a steady rise in precarious employment, work that is temporary, contract-based, overseen by temp agencies or jobs that are involuntarily part-time. In the last decade, precarious work has accelerated. These jobs are characterized by low wages, unstable work hours, few (if any) benefits, insecurity and contribute negatively to the quality of life for many.

Since the recession, the number of part-time and temporary jobs have dramatically increased. Today, nearly 20 per cent of Canadians (19.4) work part-time and among them, for one fifth of workers -it’s involuntary. They simply cannot find a full-time job.

Emerging from the recent recession, Canada has experienced what many now refer to as a "bad jobs" recovery. With the country’s economic health again in question, Canada cannot afford to backfill lost full-time, permanent good jobs with temporary part-time employment. We need a good jobs strategy!

For the fourth year in a row, trade unions around the globe have rallied, demonstrated, organized, discussed and strategized about the need to push for the creation of good, full-time, permanent, safe, fairly-compensated jobs where workers have a real voice in the workplace. The World Day for Decent Work is organized by the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC).

The World Day for Decent Work is intended to raise awareness of the growth of these inadequate jobs at a time of incredible economic turbulence. Workers around the world are demanding change and are holding their governments accountable for the quality of jobs created in a post-recession economy, not just the quantity of jobs. The time to protect and promote good jobs is now!

Read more and see testimonies from workers here: http://www.caw.ca/en/7688.htm

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