Ufa hosts BRICS Trade Union Forum

The BRICS Trade Union Forum was held in Ufa as part of the BRICS and SCO summits. At the forum, the representatives of national trade unions adopted a declaration, noting that workers from the five BRICS countries view the group as a new, more equitable model of international relations, which should transcend traditional East-West and North-South divisions. "Strengthening BRICS is vital to making international relations more democratic without violating the sovereignty or the right to self-determination, and improving the multipolar world order free from dictate or discriminatory economic sanctions," the declaration reads.

According to the Trade Union Forum's participants, increased investment in the real economy, infrastructure projects, education, healthcare, science and technology, vocational training and professional development is needed for overcoming the crisis. The declaration goes on to identify the austerity policies applied by the US and Europe as ineffective.

The declaration also recommends that BRICS governments establish their own stock exchange and enhance the social safety net for workers.

Secretary of the Federation of Independent Trade Unions, Alexander Shershukov, told reporters that the declaration contains a provision on the issue of inequality and social stratification. "In 2014, one percent of the global population controlled 48 percent of global wealth, and by 2016 this indicator is expected to exceed 50 percent," he pointed out.

Head of the Russian Labour Confederation and member of the Presidential Council for Civil Society and Human Rights, Boris Kravchenko, said the forum's participants believe that trade unions should not only stand up for preserving jobs in education, healthcare, culture and social protection, but also use consistent efforts to make sure that the principles of availability, high quality and social responsibility are respected in these areas.

Mr Kravchenko went on to support the establishment by the BRICS countries of the New Development Bank, a rating agency and a stock exchange. "We are certainly in favour of the provision of our declaration on the need to make full use of the potential offered by the BRICS New Development Bank and the Contingent Reserve Arrangement for implementing major economic, structural and social reforms," he said.

The New Development Bank and other investment institutions should take into account social and environmental criteria, and focus on job creation and human development.