The Right to Work, Jobs and the China Factor

By Peter Brokensha

The Universal Declaration of Human Rights, to which Australia is a signatory declares that everyone has 'the right to work, to free choice of employment, to just and favourable conditions of work and to protection against unemployment'.

Why then does Australia have 5.1% unemployment, 20% unemployment amongst young people, and a further 790,000 people (which more than doubles the unemployment rate) who want more work or some work, and 700,000 pert-time or casual workers who want more hours of paid work?

The government estimates that job growth to 2001 will be in retail, hospitality, community services, accommodation etc. Manufacturing is predicted to continue its decline with the US Free Trade Agreement adding problems. The China factor is not looked at by the government. The ACTU has considered the possible impact of a trade deal with China and this article looks at the possible consequences as outlined by the ACTU paper. (presented to the DFAT Taskforce in June 2004). Greg Combet outlined some of the arguments recently in a speech to the National Manufacturing Summit.

Australian Options Summer 2005 no 43 pp10-14)