LISBON (ILO News) – An International Labour Organization Forum on Decent Work for a Fair Globalization concluded today with a call of ILO Director-General Juan Somavia for a “decent work movement” to overcome the challenge of growing inequality and achieve fair globalization.

“I am not alone in saying that I leave here personally touched by the mood and energized and empowered by the can do and will do spirit.” Mr. Somavia said. “Put it all together, that’s action. That’s a decent work movement in the making.”

In his closing remarks, the Minister of Labour Vieira Da Silva from Portugal who hosted the forum said "This is a game, where, if everybody plays by the rules, everybody will win: employers, unions and workers. Those who don't play by the rules should bear the consequences."

The ILO Director-General highlighted some of the points of consensus that came out of the three-day debates, including that:

- Decent work for a fair globalization is an accepted common sense approach.

- Decent work is at the heart of policy coherence.

- A fair globalization begins at home with fair domestic policies.

- A solid social floor that integrates social investments with market opportunities is a key component for development.

- Sustainable enterprises have to be competitive both in their products and their processes.

- Power lies in dialogue, as it builds partnership.

Mr. Somavia concluded the Forum by underlining that “there is only one way to get out to our destination of decent work and a fair globalization, that is by never forgetting the overarching reality of our interdependent world: 'We’re all in the same boat’”.

The Lisbon Forum gathered over 300 representatives of the ILO tripartite social partners – governments, workers and employers – as well as representatives of parliaments, civil society and government and opinion to discuss a wide range of globalization issues, in the light of a turbulent economy, and seek ways of promoting decent work as the key to economic, social and environmental sustainability and inclusiveness.

For more information please see www.ilo.org/lisbonforum