The IYCW Acting Together During the International Week of Young Workers 2024!

Historically, the International Week of Young Workers is one moment to celebrate our international solidarity and movement identity by demonstrating for our rights, celebrating our international campaigns and actions. This year was the same, the International Week of the Young Workers, organized by the International Young Christian Workers (IYCW), served as a platform for young workers from across the globe to come together online and exchange ideas, experiences, and strategies for addressing key issues such as gender equality, precarious work, unemployment, and informality of work. This year’s week-long event took place from April 25 to May 1, culminating in the celebration of Labor Day on May 1.

During the week, young workers participated in workshops, discussions, and exchanges to learn from each other and build solidarity across borders. One of the central themes that emerged during the International Week of the Young Workers was the urgent need to address the high rates of unemployment and informal economy, where workers lack legal protections, access to social security, and representation in labor unions. They discussed the need to formalize informal work, ensure decent working conditions, and provide opportunities for education and skills training to empower workers to secure sustainable livelihoods. YCW Chile, Indonesia, Paraguay and Peru shared their actions and initiatives on Social Solidarity Economy,  specifically community gardening, agriculture, skills development for young people like printing, traditional pottery and bag weaving. YCW Philippines shared their action in forming an association of young fishermen and organizing livelihood training for them.

Another pressing issue that was at the forefront of discussions during the week was the prevalence of precarious work among young workers. Participants from JOC Venezuela, Congo Kinshasa, Haiti and Peru shared their experiences of job insecurity, low wages, and lack of benefits, emphasizing the need for policies and practices that protect workers from exploitation and ensure stable and dignified employment. In the face of these realities, JOC Nicaragua shared an action on global production chains in textile free trade zones in Managua where they are organizing young workers in maquila, developing an analysis through characterization and systematization of the companies, brands, owners and young workers that contribute on the distribution, production and marketing products. Then they evaluate the problems identified and present the demands and requests to the local government and negotiate with the owner for the vindication of decent work. Concretely, they also provide legal assistance and advice to the young people and promote advocacy actions against harassment and violence in the workplace.

Additionally, young workers highlighted the challenges posed by gender inequality in the workplace. They discussed the challenges faced by women and non-binary individuals in accessing equal opportunities, fair wages, and safe working conditions. YCW Ghana, Chile, Pakistan, Philippines, Paraguay and Peru shared stories of discrimination, harassment, and barriers to advancement, highlighting the need for collective action to combat gender-based discrimination and create more inclusive and equitable workplaces. YCW Germany presented their action on care work and the importance of recognizing the value of care work and prioritizing investments in this sector, including ensuring fair wages, benefits and protections for care workers and guaranteeing that workers in the care economy are valued, respected and supported.

As the International Week of the Young Workers came to a close, participants joined in the global celebration of Labor Day on May 1. This day served as a reminder of the ongoing struggles faced by workers, particularly young workers, and the importance of solidarity and collective action in the fight for workers’ rights. Young workers took to the streets to demand fair wages, safe working conditions, and respect for their dignity and rights as workers. The exchanges of action on gender equality, precarious work, unemployment, and informality of work during the International Week of Young Workers underscored the need for continued advocacy, organizing, and solidarity to create a more just and equitable world for all workers. The insights and experiences shared during this week will undoubtedly inspire young workers to continue the fight for their rights and the rights of all workers around the world.