The ASU is a proud supporter of the MAKEPOVERTYHISTORY campaign and we support this campaign under the ASU banner of "union against poverty". The ASU is a supporter of the MAKEPOVERTYHISTORY organisation not only because poverty is a situation no one should have to endure but also because poverty in one part of the world affects everyone eventually. It is important that we let our politicians know that Australians' idea of a fair go does extend beyond our own shores. ASU National Secretary, Paul Slape said, "As a trade union, our bread and butter activities are looking after workers' rights, but we know that substandard living conditions in other parts of the world can and do have an effect on the wages and conditions of workers in Australia. "We support organisations working for the eradication of poverty in all parts of the world. "Our governments cannot continue to ignore the dire conditions that our fellow human beings live under and gloss over devastating figures reported by aid organisations, figures like 800 million people going hungry every day!" Mr Slape said. Track progress on the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) by clicking on the icon to the right which will take you to the United Nations MDG Monitor.   The ASU participated in the "Face up to poverty" photo petition that was promoted by MPH in 2007. From the MPH website: "Australia's economy has never been stronger. Now is the time for you to ask our leaders to FACE UP to poverty and deliver more and better aid. If you can't FACE the fact that 30,000 children die each day as a result of poverty... It's time to make it personal, it's time you FACE UP TO POVERTY." To view some photos on the petition, go to the Face up to poverty online photo sets.  The importance of decent work The key agenda of the union movement all over the world is that of decent work and the creation of sustainable jobs. No progress can be made against poverty, in fighting HIV, in ensuring access to education and health, in eliminating child labour, if adult women and men cannot get skills training and worthwhile employment. Mass unemployment and underemployment, the marginalising of the majority of the workforce (and particularly women) in "developing" countries into the informal and seasonal sectors of the urban and rural economy, and the loss of livelihoods in primary production, contributes to the polarisation of the world into the prosperous elite and the impoverished majority. According to the ICFTU, "extreme poverty is linked to a shortage of jobs and low wages - for example, of a total of 550 million working poor in the world, 60% are women, a situation exacerbated by the poor working conditions and the severe exploitation that the majority of them endure. Therefore, the anti-poverty alliance calls on G7 governments - who together hold more than half of the voting power in the IMF and World Bank - to properly integrate the issue of decent work into the international financial institutions' agenda, as this is the only sustainable avenue out of poverty for millions of people across the world." Read more about decent work here: Decent work for all - more and better jobs.    Photos from the ASU Stand Up events in 2006 and 2007 www.flickr.com This is a Flickr badge showing photos in a set called MPH - Stand Up & Speak Out 2007. Make your own badge here. The ASU standing up in 2007   The ASU stood up against poverty with nearly 117 million other people worldwide between October 17 and October 19, 2008, smashing the existing world record for people standing up for a cause. Next year, why don't you join us? www.flickr.com This is a Flickr badge showing photos in a set called MPH - Stand Up 2006. Make your own badge here. The ASU standing up in 2006    Campaign resources MAKEPOVERTYHISTORY Australian website Global Call to Action Against Poverty (GCAP): The Global Call to Action Against Poverty (GCAP) is a massive global coalition from more than 100 countries and is made up of a diverse range of community groups, coalitions, trade unions, organisations, individuals, faith groups and campaigners, who are all committed to the fight against poverty. These groups have formed country-based coalitions, who use the symbol of the whiteband to promote who GCAP's demands and enable concerned citizens to put pressure on world leaders and decision makers. (more) STAND UP against poverty website About the Millennium Development Goals Public Services International (PSI) - GCAP resources The PSI is a GCAP partner and our initial involvement in the MAKEPOVERTYHISTORY campaign was through our affiliation with the PSI. Anti-Poverty Week - Australia: a coalition of Australian organisations working to increase understanding of poverty both internationally and locally, as well as increasing action. International Labour Office (ILO) - Message by Mr. Juan Somavia, Director-General of the International Labour Office on the occasion of International Day for the Eradication of Poverty, 17 October 2007

E-mail  Click here to buy  a white band!  Campaign news Action is needed to prevent underemployment becoming more entrenched in the workforce - 15 October 2009 Stand up and take action to MAKE POVERTY HISTORY on 16-18 October - 12 October 2009 We can end poverty by telling the politicians it's what we want! - 10 October 2008 Give 30 seconds of your time to help mums around the world - 7 May 2008 ASU stands up and speaks out with a record 43.7 million others worldwide - 31 October 2007 STAND UP and SPEAK OUT against poverty with the ASU on October 17 - 5 October 2007 Water in public hands helps end poverty - 6 July 2007 Get poverty on the agenda for the Federal Budget - 15 February 2007 Decent work and sustainable jobs are part of making poverty history - October 24, 2006 Join workers who will STAND UP against poverty on October 16 - October 13, 2006 ASU STANDS UP against poverty on October 16 - October 4, 2006