Introductory Remarks by Greece on the Resolution on the ‘‘Right to Work’’- HRC 28/ 26-27 March 2015

Thank you Mr. President,

I would like to thank the Egyptian Ambassador for the presentation of the basic elements of the draft resolution L.26 titled ‘‘Right to Work’’. We aregrateful to all main sponsors, coming from different regions with different approaches and systems, who sat together with us in order to bring this issue, for the first time, to the attention of the Human Rights Council.

We strongly believe that whatever we do here in the Human Rights Council, it should reflect realities on the ground and keep pace with developments in our own societies. Unfortunately, the high rates of unemployment especially youth unemployment are a common feature in many of our countries in all continents, having direct impact on the enjoyment not only of the right to work but also of other related fundamental human rights.

Moreover, as said by my Egyptian colleague, the right to work is enshrined to both the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights and many other international human rights instruments. I should add that in many countries the right to work is directly protected at Constitutional level as a fundamental human right.

We therefore believe that, despite the important work and accumulated expertize of the ILO in this area, it is still appropriate that the Human Rights Council focuses its attention on this matter and raises awareness on the human rights nature and aspects of the right to work.

We are pleased to see that this new initiative, has already gathered a considerable number of co-sponsors from all regions which is gradually growing, as the initiative is explained further.

Finally, we would like to stress that the main sponsors have worked hard to address various sensitivities. We are ready to continue the dialogue with all interested countries in the future.

Thank you Mr President