CAMPAIGNS

Among the institutions most resistent to human rights in employment have been the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund. The Bank has moved further than the IMF but it still has a way to go. Recently the following letter was sent to World Bank president, James Wolfensohn.

James Wolfensohn
World Bank
1818 H St.
Washington, DC 20433

Dear Mr. Wolfensohn,

In a recent issue of World News published by Public Services International you were quoted as saying that the Bank cannot support freedom of association and the right to bargain collectively as human rights because it does "not get involved in national politics."

I am sure that you realize that core labour standards which include freedom of association and the right to bargain collectively have been affirmed as fundamental human rights by a large number of international organizations including the International Labour Organization and a preponderance of its national members, the United Nations, the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, the International Organization of Employers, the International Chamber of Commerce and some 50 multinational firms who signed onto the UN's Global Compact. Since human rights stand above national and partisan politics, contrary to this rock solid international consensus, your statement would seem to deny the human rights character of freedom of association and the right to bargain collectively.

If that is, indeed, the policy of the World Bank, on behalf of the Society for the Promotion of Human Rights in Employment, I would appreciate an explanation for it. Sincerely,

Roy J. Adams

Steering Committee Chair

Society for the Promotion of Human Rights in Employment