Speech by President of the Republic of Finland Tarja Halonen at the ASEM Trade Union Forum on 8 September 2006

It is a great pleasure and honour for me to speak to this respected group of trade unionists from Asia and Europe. The Trade Union Forum has already become an essential part of the ASEM Summit. Global production systems and to some extent global labour and service markets emphasize the importance of international cooperation. Finland supports cooperation among the countries of Asia and Europe in matters regarding work and employment.

Finland has traditionally had close and good relations with the countries of Asia. Our bilateral trade and other transactions have developed strongly, particularly in recent years. Finland has been a member of the EU since 1995. The membership has also brought an important new dimension to our Asian relations: ASEM cooperation. Our country has participated in all the ASEM Summits and now we have the special honour of hosting the biggest ever ASEM Summit. I have personal memories since the first meeting in Thailand.

In Europe and Asia we are aware of the many opportunities, challenges and problems associated with globalization. The benefits and disadvantages of globalization are divided unequally between and within regions and countries. All too few see and experience the benefits of globalization and for all too many globalization means insecurity or fear. Workers in both Europe and Asia are afraid of jobs moving abroad and unfair competition. These matters are also being actively discussed here in Finland. We have taken national actions and made international proposals in order to achieve fair globalization.

There is a long tradition of cooperation between social partners and the government in Finland. It is commonplace for us to meet, talk and try to establish a consensus on many social issues. The government supports by its own policies long-term incomes policy agreements. This has proved to be a good way to develop the society and to strengthen societal tranquillity. The views of the trade unions are valued and taken into account in government decisions. This is equally true of the view of the business sector, which is also vital to the balanced development of society.

Finland has always emphasized the importance of education and expertise. In recent decades, we have invested heavily in research and development. We have also chosen to defend and develop the Nordic welfare state which guarantees equal education and social security to all citizens. Furthermore, I believe that the welfare society is one of the main factors behind Finland’s development from a post-war agrarian society to the high-technology leader of today.

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The ILO World Commission on the Social Dimension of Globalization noted clearly that the direction globalization is currently taking must be changed. Globalization should meet people's needs and create prosperity and security for people. We must find answers and build bridges to resolve problems.

We need fair rules for globalization. Globalization should be a resource that promotes decent work, reduces poverty and unemployment and promotes growth and development. The rules governing globalization must be equitable. Adequate attention must be paid to the common good in multilateral rules concerning trade, investment and work.

Regional and inter-regional cooperation is increasingly important in a globalizing world. The trade union movement plays an important role nationally and internationally in strengthening the social dimension of globalization. At the same time the trade union movement faces challenges nationally and internationally. Workers' voice is not heard sufficiently and in many countries workers' possibilities to influence decisions are inadequate. The level of organization is low and the right to organize is still violated in many countries.

The international trade union movement can influence matters regarding working life across national borders. The trade union movement's activities to strengthen fundamental rights at work, core labour standards and democracy are important. The international trade union movement's objectives to strengthen the social fairness of globalization are quite similar to the recommendations of the ILO World Commission.

The trade union movement's work has become more complex and demanding. It is necessary to be strong nationally and, at the same time, act globally. The trade union movement cannot resolve all problems in working life only inside national borders. Mutual dependence has grown in many ways. The trade union movement also needs to build stronger cooperation and solidarity. My warm congratulations to you that the international trade union movement is joining forces and a new world organization will be established this autumn, at the beginning of November, in Vienna.

The trade union movement has a central position in the International Labour Organization. The ILO plays an important role in strengthening the social dimension of globalization - particularly in implementing fundamental rights in the working world everywhere. As we well know, the ILO's strength is its tripartite approach. The ILO should be made an even more important actor in handling global issues regarding working life and its solutions. The dialogue between the social partners should be strengthened at all levels.

I hope that your meeting has been good, successful and a productive one.