Deputy Secretary of Labor Cameron Findlay
Plenary Address to the International Labor Conference
Tuesday, June 12, 2001


Thank you, Madam President, and congratulations on your election. Thank you as well, Mr. Director General, for your efforts to secure more economic opportunities for all workers.

This is my first visit to the International Labor Conference, and it is a great pleasure to be here representing Secretary of Labor Elaine Chao and the Administration of President George W. Bush.

When he was sworn in as America's forty-third president, President Bush spoke of the "unfolding American promise that everyone belongs, that everyone deserves a chance, that no insignificant person was ever born."

That is President Bush's vision for the United States, but I believe it is a universal vision, a dream of hope, of dignity and opportunity that lies in the hearts of all people, regardless of race, color, religion or nationality.

At its heart, it is the same vision that Director General Somavia expressed in his report to the Conference, where he has spoken eloquently about the need to provide all adults with the opportunity for decent, productive work.

In the few minutes I have, Secretary Chao has asked that I describe briefly what that vision means to her as the Secretary of Labor for the United States.

First of all, if we believe that no insignificant person was ever born, then we believe this truth about workers everywhere, regardless of which country they happen to live in.

In the 21st century, this is no longer just a moral sentiment. It is becoming an economic fact.

Whether we embrace it or not, we are in a globalized economy. There is a globalized flow of goods, a globalized flow of money, globalized systems of production and distribution, and globalized standards for technology.

One of the most exciting ramifications of this trend is the emergence of globally-accepted norms for labor conditions.

The International Labor Organization plays a crucial role as the world's standard-setter for improving working conditions and worker rights.

But it is the globalized economy that is providing the energy and the force to make these standards into realities.

The key to strengthening the globalized economy is continued free trade. We will not have the benefits of globalization without the open doors of free trade among nations.

Throughout history, nations have tended to view each other as economic competitors. We have viewed the global economy as a marketplace of finite size. And until recently, most of the world saw international trade as a zero-sum game, where one person's gain must inevitably result in another person's loss.

The evidence now shows that these notions are essentially false.

That's not to say that free trade never poses challenging consequences. Jobs and industries can be threatened by foreign competition. Sudden industrial growth can produce environmental and labor problems.

It's the responsibility of trade negotiators to open up trade among nations. But it is our responsibility to meet the challenges of free trade and secure the benefits that a globalized economy can provide.

Some people say that labor and environmental concerns are reasons not to pursue free trade. I believe the opposite is true. As I see it, the goal of improving global labor standards and the goal of free trade are complementary.

When we open doors, we also raise awareness. And when trade stimulates economic development, it usually produces an atmosphere for addressing concerns like social justice and environmental protection.

That's why the Bush Administration is committed both to free trade and to improved labor and environmental conditions throughout the world.

The second implication of this universal vision we have been discussing is the need for us to develop our workforces. If we want every adult to have decent work, then we need to train and motivate workers for those kinds of jobs.

In order to realize this vision, Secretary Chao has called for the creation of a 21st Century Workforce that is fully prepared for the challenges of a new and dynamic world economy.

At the U.S. Department of Labor, we are re-evaluating every program and activity we have that trains workers. We want to know: Are we helping people find better jobs and more rewarding career paths? Are we providing workers with the skills that this economy demands?

The greatest challenge that everyone in this room faces is the challenge of developing a trained workforce, one that is prepared for the kinds of decent, productive work that Director General Somavia envisions.

Finally, if we take seriously the words of President Bush, that "everyone deserves a chance," we must make serious strides in combating child labor.

I salute the work that the ILO and IPEC have done on this issue. We had a significant meeting earlier today, where historic commitments were made to timelines for ending serious child labor problems in specific countries.

I am hopeful this will be a model for other countries to follow. President Bush has said, with respect to the need to improve schools in my country, "We must leave no child behind." If we work together, that is a vision we can extend throughout the world.
Thank you, Madam President.