Paul Talbot
The well-deserved reputation of the World Bank and International Monetary Fund (IMF) for what, at best, could be described as an offhand regard for workers’ rights came under fire recently when over 90 trade union leaders from 35 countries (the largest gathering of its kind to date) met senior officials from both International Financial Institutions (IFIs) in Washington for 3 days of talks in January.
What exactly was achieved? There’s no doubt that in contrast to previous meetings the mood music coming from both institutions had changed as a result of the campaigns the TUC and others have led in recent times. With these meetings now firmly established in the political and trade union calendar (something beginning to get media attention) there is an opportunity to keep the pressure on to argue for a change of direction not just at IFI level but at the G20 as well. On the wider question however of whether the actions of both IFIs will match the words spoken in Washington, the jury remains out.
