Presidents Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and Joe Biden present this Wednesday (20) a global initiative to defend decent work, at a time of strikes in the United States and excellent relations between Brazil and China, Washington’s great rival .
The presidents of Brazil and the United States share a “clear affinity” on the topic, said an American government source who requested anonymity.
The defense of labor rights and the middle class is one of Biden’s main goals, particularly with a view to the 2024 elections, and that of Lula, a former metalworker and union leader.
The two will meet this Wednesday on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly, the second meeting of heads of state since Lula took office in January for his third term.
The American government is trying to improve its relationship with Lula, with whom it has already faced some differences, aware that Brazil is increasingly looking to China.
Challenges
The initiative seeks to “promote workers’ rights around the world”, explained another US government source, who also requested anonymity.
“I believe this highlights the fact that the relationship between the United States and Brazil is not just bilateral. It is global in nature,” said the source, before adding that the countries “have a common vision for equitable and inclusive economic growth.” .
The objective is to include other countries in the initiative to overcome the challenges of the 21st century labor market.
The goal is to fight against exploitation, including forced labor and child labor, the informal economy, discrimination in the workplace, particularly against women and LGBTQI+ people, and the marginalization of racial and ethnic groups, explained the source.
Governments also aim to establish accountability and address public and private investment, the transition to clean energy and digital transformation.
“A global voice”
“We want to ensure that this initiative delivers concrete results for workers in the coming months,” said the US government official, at a time when the United States is facing a strike in the automotive sector and a walkout of actors and screenwriters in Hollywood.
“Nothing in this initiative should be interpreted as discouraging or limiting the right to strike,” he said.
In addition to workers’ rights, Lula and Biden will probably talk about the war in Ukraine, shortly before the Brazilian’s meeting with Ukrainian President Volodimir Zelensky.
The conflict in Ukraine causes differences. Washington leads aid to Kiev against Russian troops and Lula has a neutral position.
“Brazil is an important voice, a global voice, I believe it is also a bridge between the richest countries and developing economies”, explained the source.
Lula complains that global governance is “asymmetrical”. He insists that the digital revolution and energy transition cannot be left to “a few rich economies”.
The good harmony with China, a country it visited a few months ago to strengthen economic ties, worries Washington, which is distancing itself from the rival nation.
“Perhaps in the commercial sphere China is doing more on the investment side, but the key is that Beijing does not recognize non-state actors as legitimate in politics,” said the source, referring to civil society.
The affinity between Brazil and China could have some positive effect for Washington on another topic that will certainly be addressed this Wednesday: the crisis in Haiti.
In July, Kenya announced it is willing to lead a multinational police intervention to help Haitian security forces combat gangs, but needs authorization from the UN Security Council, which China is reluctant to join.
Brazil “is an important voice, not only to understand the situation in Haiti, playing a greater potential role as a contributor, but also to involve other members of the UN Security Council, including China”, said the American government source.
© Agence France-Presse
The post USA and Brazil launch global initiative to defend decent work appeared first in Jornal de Brasília.
Source link
THE NAIS IS OFFICIAL EDITOR ON NAIS NEWS