Increase workplace protections, Holy See diplomat urges

June 08, 2015

Addressing the annual International Labour Conference, the Holy See’s leading diplomat in Geneva lamented economic inequality, called for greater protections for workers worldwide, and praised small and medium-sized businesses.

“In 2014, 1% of the global population held 48% of the world’s wealth, leaving the remaining half to the 99% of the people,” said Archbishop Silvano Tomasi, apostolic nuncio and Permanent Observer of the Holy See to the United Nations and Other International Organizations in Geneva. “The challenge of bringing unemployment and underemployment back to 2008 pre-crisis levels now appears as daunting a task as ever.”

Quoting Pope Francis, Archbishop Tomasi said that “we can no longer trust in the unseen forces and the invisible hand of the market.” Archbishop Tomasi added:

The Holy See Delegation believes that poverty eradication requires a specific and concerted commitment by governments, employers and workers’ organizations, the private sector and civil society. This commitment is grounded in human dignity, human rights and solidarity. It should result in concrete measures for protecting workers and their families from risks, such as unemployment, injury and illness.

Since the development of employment-creating initiatives is intimately linked with the promotion of entrepreneurship, policies aimed at promoting the development of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) are crucial for economic recovery.

 

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Further information:

• Statement of the Holy See to the United Nations and Other International Organizations in Geneva, at the 104th Session of the International Labour Conference (Geneva, 4 June 2015) (Holy See Press Office)
• 104th Session of the International Labour Conference, 1- 13 June 2015