(Outcome of the ECWM seminar on "Decent Work and Precarious Employment" held from 12 to 15 July 2017 in Avila, Spain)

We find that:

Many people around the world are living in unworthy conditions because their basic needs are not guaranteed. They have no access to land, work and housing, which prevents them from enjoying a good life. The globalization of the economy has not had as a consequence a globalization of social rights. The power of multinational corporations in many ways makes it impossible to implement policies that are more respectful of the convictions of the people. Capitalism often drives forward a type of economic progress that does not involve social and environmental accountability. Work is gradually being replaced by precarious employment which, on the one hand, affects people’s health and, on the other, pushes them away and out of society. People are not given the same opportunities in life. Poverty and hunger continue to increase. Many are forced to leave their homeland, because of war and destruction or of poverty. The fate of refugees and migrants shows how unfair the current global economic order is. "This economy kills!" said Pope Francis in his apostolic letter Evangelii Gaudium.

We know that:

A good life for all is possible. A good life does not mean a life of individual luxury but just that, a « good » life. We, as movements of Christian workers, want to promote the globalization of justice, solidarity, good life and decent work, against the "globalization of indifference". In order to translate these principles into practice, we need to reach an ethical consensus. As Christians, we should also remember the message of the Bible: "Behold, I will create a new heaven and a new earth" (Isaiah, Chapter 65, v. 17).

Our demands:

• Decent work requires an adequate salary that is sufficient to ensure a decent life for people and their families, as well as wage justice between men and women.

• Decent work is possible only if it guarantees the health of workers, both male and female.

• Decent work should enable male and female workers to have a good family life and participate to the life of society.

• Decent work should be organized in such a way that workers, both male and female, can make the most out of their talents and abilities, in order to ensure the inclusion of all.

• Decent work helps to preserve the Creation and allows future generations to have a good life.

• Decent work means meeting the basic standards of the International Labour Organization (ILO). These standards have to be further developed, especially as regards the rights of assembly, association and collective bargaining. It is necessary to guarantee the protection of workers in cases of illness and accident. It is also necessary to guarantee that elderly people will have the right to an income.

• Decent work means having a valid labour law that can also be used by individuals in claims against employers.

• Decent work should oblige employers to uphold human rights in their business activities and in the global supply chain.