Real economic solutions require listening to those who are affected; Investment in energy systems, environmental infrastructure, education and skills training needed
Vancouver Sun
November 14, 2008
Editorial By: Ken Georgetti, president of the Canadian Labour Congress and chair of the committee on workers' capital of the International Trade Union Confederation

On Saturday, leaders of the world's 20 largest economies will meet in Washington to discuss the worst economic crisis we have experienced since the Great Depression of the 1930s….

The world needs not just lower interest rates and a temporary stimulus, but a major, coordinated, longer term shift to growth and job creation driven by public investment, especially investment in energy conservation and new energy systems, environmental infrastructure, education and skills training, as well as in public services like child care and care for the elderly….

We must also ensure that workers have rights to organize and bargain throughout the global economy, and that basic systems of social protection like minimum wages, unemployment insurance and decent public pensions are in place….