§ 26. Mr. MacShaneTo ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will make a statement about the role of trade unions in developing countries in promoting social justice. [157669]
§ Clare ShortTrade unions and other civil society organisations have an important role to play in promoting social justice. A strong independent civil society is essential for holding Governments to account and for ensuring that the voice of poor people is heard. Trade unions have traditionally drawn their membership from workers in the formal sector. The challenge for trade unions today is to reach the vast majority of poor people who work outside the formal economy.