Global Day of Action in defense of the right to strike

The European Economic and Social Committee Workers' Group supports the "Global Day of Action in defense of the right to strike" this February 18, 2015, announced by the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC).

The right to strike has been at the centre of many attacks by the Employers' Group at the International Labour Organization (ILO). This conflict started in 2012 when the Employers' Group questioned the existence of the right to strike guaranteed by the Convention No. 87, a right whose essence has been recognized in principle by all ILO members for decades. The Employers' group continued to hold this position in 2013 and 2014. Thus, the Employers' group is prolonging this crisis, undermining the ILO supervisory system.

"Do not touch the right to strike" is the message being sent out by all of the Trade Unions around the world in this campaign. The EESC Workers' Group fully endorses the campaign of the ITUC against these attacks that attempt to undermine this fundamental workers' right and to weaken the role of the ILO. It supports all efforts to defend the right to strike, and is in favour of recourse to the International Court of Justice to resolve the conflict.