The Potential of the Biden-Lula Global Partnership for Workers’ Rights – A Moment to be Seized
Stanley Gacek is Senior Advisor for Global Strategies, United Food and Commercial Workers International Union (UFCW), since September, 2016; Deputy Director and Officer in Charge, International Labour Organization (ILO) Office in Brazil, 2011 to 2016; Member of the District of Columbia Bar Association since 1979 and member of Washington Brazil Office (WBO) Board of Directors. The author witnessed the launching of the Biden/Lula Global Labor Initiative on September 20, 2023 in New York City. This text was originally written for issue 87 of the WBO Newsletter, published on October 6, 2023. Fill in the form at the bottom of the text to access and subscribe to the WBO weekly newsletter in English.
On September 20, following the delivery of their official speeches at the opening of the 2023 session of the UN General Assembly, Presidents Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and Joe Biden officially launched the “Joint U.S.-Brazil Global Partnership for Workers’ Rights” at the Inter-Continental Barclay Hotel in New York City. The announcement of this initiative signifies an unprecedented moment in the history of Brazil/U.S. relations. Although the MTE (Brazilian Labor Ministry) and the US/DOL (Department of Labor) have developed and maintained memoranda of understanding for labor cooperation in the recent past, this is the first time that both countries have launched an ambitious labor rights initiative at the top presidential level for the benefit of workers in Brazil, the United States, and the entire world.
“Given President Lula’s unparalleled and globally recognized role in the construction of Brazil’s ‘new unionism’, which challenged the military dictatorship and the corporatist labor relations order of the late 1970’s and early 1980’s, and with Joe Biden arguably being the most pro-union president in American history, the joint initiative creates a special and unprecedented moment in Brazil/U.S. relations"
Stanely Gacek
Union leaders from both countries were present at the launch, including the presidents of the six largest national trade union centrals in Brazil (CUT, FS, UGT, NCST, CTB, and CSB), as well as U.S. union officials from the AFL-CIO, the UFCW (Food and Commercial Workers), the RWDSU/UFCW, Teamsters, IBEW (Electrical Workers), and the AFT (Teachers). And given the global scope of the initiative, the Director-General of the UN’s International Labor Organization (ILO), Gilbert Houngbo, was present at the ceremony, speaking after the Brazilian and U.S. presidents delivered their remarks.
Although the ILO is tripartite in its structure and governance, including employer as well as worker and government representatives, international business organizations are not a direct and official part of the initiative, since it is worker and union centered. As a matter of fact, the joint declaration states that it has been “working people” who have “built our countries”, and, “in the face of complex global challenges…we must put workers at the center of our policy solutions.” “We must stand with workers and empower them to drive the innovation we urgently need to secure our futures.” Nevertheless, the White House observed in its fact sheet further explaining the initiative, that there would be an effort to engage “private sector partners (emphasis added) on innovative approaches to creating decent work in key supply chains and addressing discrimination in the world of work.”
The initiative focuses on “five of the most urgent challenges facing working people around the globe: (1)- protecting workers’ rights as defined in the International Labor Organization’s core conventions, empowering workers, and ending worker exploitation, including forced labor and child labor; (2)- promoting safe, healthy, and decent work, and accountability in public and private investment; (3)- advancing worker-centered approaches to the clean energy transition; (4)- harnessing technology and digital transitions for the benefit of all; and (5) – tackling workplace discrimination, particularly for women, LGBTQI+ persons, and marginalized racial and ethnic groups, embracing and promoting diversity in and access to the world of work.”
There was no joint, organized, and formal consultation procedure with the trade union movements of both countries prior to the launching of the partnership. Had there been, there might have been even more emphasis on the specific ILO core conventions guaranteeing trade union rights in the document. Nevertheless, the reference to “core conventions” unquestionably includes such rights by implication. Moreover, the leaders of the Brazilian and U.S. union movements present at the launch agreed with the five general dimensions of the initiative, and they are most enthused with its promise and potential.
The declaration reveals an intent to more directly involve the Brazilian and U.S. labor movements in the implementation of the initiative with the following language: “we intend to work collaboratively across our governments and with our union partners (emphasis added) to advance these urgent issues over the next year (emphasis added), envisioning a common agenda to discuss with other countries in the G20 and in the COP 28, COP 30, and beyond.” The reference to over the next year is certainly critical to advancing durable commitments and investments prior to the 2024 elections in the United States, whatever the outcome may be.
Funding of the partnership is essential if it is to be more than just a statement of good intentions. It needs to produce authentic results, bringing real power to workers and their unions in Brazil, the United States, and the entire world. In its fact sheet, the White House mentions: “supporting and coordinating labor-related technical cooperation programs”, welcoming Brazil “in the Multilateral Partnership on Worker Organizing, Empowerment and Rights” (M-Power)”, and “working with Brazil to bring additional stakeholders and global partners…”. Such references suggest the prospect of real material support for the initiative, and commitments need to be made soon.
Given President Lula’s unparalleled and globally recognized role in the construction of Brazil’s “new unionism”, which challenged the military dictatorship and the corporatist labor relations order of the late 1970’s and early 1980’s, and with Joe Biden arguably being the most pro-union president in American history, the joint initiative creates a special and unprecedented moment in Brazil/U.S. relations. The moment must be seized, and the Brazilian and American union movements must guarantee that it is.
