Dear John,
Development banks claim two core missions: to promote development and
to alleviate poverty. Development banks offer preferential loan terms to
clients with the understanding that they will adhere to national law,
international labor standards, and development bank-specific labor
safeguards.
However, in hotels around the world that are financed by the private
lending arm of the World Bank, the International Finance Corporation (IFC),
as well as other bilateral, regional, and national development banks,
workers consistently face poverty wages, unsafe and unhealthy working
conditions, discrimination, gender-based violence, and retaliation for union
organizing.
Since beginning their work together on development finance in the hotel
sector five years ago, the IUF and GLJ identified the challenges hotel
workers face to access their rights –including violations of the right to
freedom of association, collective bargaining, occupational health and
safety, and a workplace free of gender-based violence and harassment.
On October 9, 2024 from 10:00-11:00 am EST, the IUF and GLJ will
virtually launch a new website, Accountable Development Finance:
Hospitality, a major new resource for all those interested in sectoral
approaches to holding development banks accountable.
To participate, please register HERE by Monday, October 7.
The centerpiece of the website will be an interactive map that tracks ALL
hospitality investments by ALL development banks around the world. As we
get closer to the launch date, we will share a detailed program of speakers
for the launch. We very much hope to see you there.
Yours in solidarity,
Jennifer (JJ) Rosenbaum
Executive Director, Global Labor Justice
