Labour in the G20 – welcomed but offered little

These days, it comes as a positive surprise when the G20 – a largely informal process of coordination among the 19 largest economies of the world plus the European and African Union – puts forward a progressive leitmotif for its deliberations. “Solidarity, Equality, Sustainability” – one could hardly ask for more goodwill. When the Labour and Employment Track acknowledges in its motto “Living and Working in an Unequal World” the fundamental ill of our times, expectations naturally rise.

In its opening address to the Labour-20 Summit, the gathering of trade union leaders from the G20 countries led by the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC) in George, South Africa from 28-29 July 2025, Zingiswa Losi, President of COSATU, the largest trade union confederation in South Africa, rightfully pointed to the heart of the matter:

“Inequality is a designed outcome of a system that is geared against us. It is built on greed and the principle of profits before people. The working class is the only force that can change it.”

Trade unionists have little difficulty describing the many faces of what has by now become obscene inequality: shrinking labour income shares, lack of living wages, reduced collective bargaining, tax injustice, and unsustainable debt levels in many countries of the Global South.

In this context, the Labour-20 Declaration primarily demands that G20 countries make concrete and time-bound commitments on jobs (specific job creation targets), labour rights (timeline for ratification of fundamental ILO Labour Standards, plus a UN Treaty on Business and Human Rights), and social protection (financing for a Global Fund for Social Protection).

What the labour movement actually gets is a commitment to reduce the share of young people who are most at risk of being permanently left behind in the labour market by an additional 5% by 2030 – expanding on the 2015 goal of reducing it by 15% by 2025. Also included is an additional promise to close the gender gap in labour market participation by 25% by 2030 and reduce the gender wage gap by 25% by 2030 from 2012 levels.

These objectives are commendable and the result of arduous negotiation efforts (not least given how contentious it is to even raise the notion of gender and agree on measurable targets with certain countries at the table). However, they fall well short of shifting policy in a way that addresses the root causes of inequality or restores working people’s confidence in the leadership of the world’s major economies. Regrettably, they likely represent the most progressive commitments the G20 will be able to make in the foreseeable future – especially with an incoming U.S. Presidency unwilling to endorse even a joint declaration by Labour Ministries.

A Fragile Multilateral Order and the Need for Worker-Centred Trade

It was no surprise, then, that current unilateralism and the breakdown of the multilateral trade order featured prominently in the L20 discussion. Taking place the day after the EU–US trade deal was announced, participants shared their understanding that trade policy by the Trump administration is not in the interests of workers.

“Trade is not a siloed issue. It is part of a broader agenda on deregulation, return of fossil fuels, attack on labour rights, and used for geopolitical purposes amidst its active undermining of sovereignty – for example in Brazil or South Africa.”
– Cathy Feingold, AFL-CIO, USA

Labour leaders called for trade unions to develop a counter-vision of worker-centered trade – one that needs to be based on rules and binding commitments for workers’ rights and roles in policy-making to ensure that unfair trade practices (forced labour, suppressed collective bargaining) end, and that supply chain resilience, decarbonisation, and sustainability are achieved. Labour chapters must be rethought and made binding, enforceable, and time-bound – as in the US–Canada–Mexico Agreement (USCMA).

African unions insisted that these measures be extended to the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA) and further called for future trade agreements to preserve policy space for developing countries to promote local industries and build sustainable supply chains with greater local value added. The link between trade and industrial policy for a successful green transformation was repeatedly stressed. Antonio Lisboa of CUT Brasil added:

“There can be no Just Transition if there is no public investment and control. We cannot leave the energy transition to private companies because there is no decent work.”

The Labour Agenda: Combatting Informality, Digital Power, Democracy and Peace

Labour’s indignation did not stop at trade policy. Workers are enraged by the increasing levels of informality in the labour market. According to the ILO, 60% of all workers worldwide work without legal and social protection.

“There has been a strategic decision by different governments to dismantle labour codes for competitiveness.”
– Massimo di Pietro, UIL, Italy

In addition, workers are concerned about the increasing power of digital platforms and the threat posed by Artificial Intelligence to decent work. Demands for strong ILO regulation of platform work were voiced, alongside calls for trade union involvement in AI governance.

“Multinational tech companies have taken control. They have power larger than states, and we are structurally dependent on them. We must negotiate with them. Let us have standards for Artificial Intelligence and let us build a technology democracy.”
– Jose Enrique Onate Vera, UNT Mexico

Such demands echo the growing sentiment that democracy is being stolen by the wealthy. The last G20 Presidency of Brazil proposed a wealth tax (2% on individuals worth one billion U.S. dollars, which would apply to 3,000 persons and raise 250 billion U.S. dollars worldwide). However, this proposal has not been endorsed by some countries, including in Europe. Hence, trade unions continue to push to keep it on the agenda.

Finally, labour leaders made strong appeals for peace, joining other civil society movements worldwide. Liv Torres of LO-Norway expressed the overwhelming sentiment of the summit participants:

“The possibility of peace and multilateralism hinges on respect for international law and human rights. Therefore, we also have to make a strong statement to say STOP to what’s happening in Gaza.”