Access to employment is one of the most fundamental rights, a guarantee of dignity and an essential means of subsistence for every human being. However, in a post-conflict country marked by poverty and low school enrolment, access to this essential right remains a distant goal. The Guatemalan labor market is almost entirely dependent on the informal economy, and the few formal jobs available are under constant threat from labor flexibility. Non-compliance with labor legislation, the weakness of labor-related institutions and the partisan politicization of access to employment exacerbate the job crisis. These problems are at the root of phenomena such as rampant crime and mass migration.
As in every other part of the world, gender inequality is a reality in Germany, a European country with a population of over 83 million. Before the German YCW held its National Action Days in 2017, the movement had already pinpointed gender as one aspect leading to inequalities in society and felt the need to deepen its analysis on the issue. Its concrete starting point was the reflection in its action group on precarious work, which had identified the connection between precarious work and gender. Decision was made to set up a national action group on gender equality.
While the hopes of thousands of people are shattered by wars, migration, economic and political instability, young people keep facing new challenges to confront this harsh reality. In the International YCW, we believe that through our struggle, commitment and work, we will be able to achieve our goals and build a just society despite the obstacles that stand in our way. We are confident that the future will be better thanks to the joint effort of solidarity among those who believe in our movement and in the young workers who are the present and future of our society. We want to thank all those who believe in organized youth, in our task of education, in our struggles and our actions. The YCW, with nearly 100 years of existence, will continue to encourage young people to get organized, trained, and to build a dignified life for the workers. Let us renew this commitment to unity every year. Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year 2024!
“Being a migrant worker or a refugee is not our dream. But there is no other choice to survive and improve our well-being and that of our families.”
December 18 has been International Migrants Day since it was established by the ILO in 2000. Of course, behind every day of commemoration, there are stories of men and women, and therefore good reasons to celebrate it every year.
We, the International Young Christian Workers (IYCW), support the commemoration of the International Migrants Day 2023. Youth migration and refugees are among our movement’s priority actions.
In Mercedes, work is essentially dependent on the sea and its products. Economically speaking, fishermen's incomes are relatively low, and they can only provide for their families on a day-to-day basis. However, during the off-season (August-December), when weather conditions are unfavorable, they are out of work. Some are therefore forced to find alternative employment as carpenters or drivers in other localities.
There is no guarantee of income, security or safety in the fishermen's workplace. Their income depends solely on the fish they catch. Unfortunately, some of them suffer accidents and even death. Long working hours are also a feature of the job. Small-scale fishermen start work at 4:00 in the afternoon and finish at 6:00 in the morning the following day. Some go out to sea for 3 or 4 days and nights in a row.