Young workers
Where there is precarious, low-paid work, there are young workers. The sectors where the IUF and its affiliates historically struggled to organize due to a myriad of reasons, such as food service and the agricultural sector, see a larger proportion of young workers compared to other sectors, such as manufacturing industries.
The IUF runs the risk of losing a whole generation as the economy is changing, as traditionally well-organized sectors see a decreased workforce due to automation and digitalization, while the number of low-paid jobs in food service and other parts of the hospitality sector increases.
It is an urgent issue to organize these sectors now, today, to ensure that the IUF and its affiliates have a future; it is a matter of life or death for the whole trade union movement. Not only do we need to organize and recruit these young workers to trade unions, we also need to ensure that they have a place within the IUF and its affiliates.
Young workers are not only the future of the IUF, they are also its here and now, and their voices must be heard.
While the IUF and its affiliates must increase efforts to organize the so-called low- skilled sectors which are dominated by young workers, there must also be an effort to organize young workers in skilled professions. Therefore, it is paramount that the IUF continue the work to ensure that vocational training, apprenticeships and such maintain a high standard, and these workers must enjoy secure and safe working conditions, free from exploitation.
Due to the climate crisis, the economy and the IUF sectors will change and transform, and the IUF needs to have the organizational capacity to meet these changes to avert a loss in trade union power.
Lastly, there must be an intersectional approach to strengthening the organization, as the workers in the sectors dominated by young workers also often suffer from a complicated multitude of oppressions and exploitation. The industries dominated by young workers also see a larger portion of women, ethnic and religious minorities, LGBTI and workers with disabilities.
THEREFORE, BY THE IUF 28th CONGRESS, BE IT
Resolved: That the IUF shall together with its regions and affiliates continue and expand its active support for organizing efforts in sectors such as food service and agriculture which is heavily dominated by young workers, and be it further;
Resolved: That IUF shall together with its regions and affiliates continue to develop strategies to strengthen collective bargaining in sectors dominated by young workers and be it further;
Resolved: That the IUF shall continue to gather, spread and develop organizing strategies in sectors dominated by young workers, and be it further;
Resolved: That the IUF shall continue the effort to ensure that workers in vocational training, apprenticeships and internships enjoy high-quality education as well as secure and safe working conditions, and be it further
Resolved: That the IUF shall continue to develop strategies to resolve issues that will disproportionately affect young workers, such as the climate crisis, precarious working arrangements and substandard apprenticeships.
Uroš Milivojević
Chair, Young Workers' Committee
