Early evidence suggests IMF programmes are maintaining long-term fiscal consolidation targets, while World Bank further continues Maximizing Finance for Development narrative amidst Covid-19 crisis.
Labour
Rights
Analysis
World Bank’s vision of work leaves it isolated from the international community
World Bank's vision of the changing nature of work clashes with the feminist community, civil society, trade unions and international organisations.
Rights
News
Concerns over labour rights resurface in IFC's Covid-19 response
Joint letter to IFC chief executive officer raises questions on worker protections.
Rights
News
Workers unite after IFC fails to comply with its labour standard
Malaysian workers certify union of choice despite efforts of IFC-backed company.
Rights
Analysis
The IMF, Gender Equality and Labour
BWP briefing explores IMF's labour market policies in the context of women in the informal economy and suggests they will not contribute to decreasing inequalities.
Rights
News
Labour in Greece: With friends like the IMF…
IMF agrees to conditional participation in new Greek loan package and demands that the government maintains the suspension of collective bargaining despite rising inequality and decrease in wages.
Rights
News
World Bank approves Uzbekistan cotton project despite forced labour concerns
World Bank approves new $145 million irrigation project in Uzbekistan, despite ongoing concerns about forced and child labour in the country's cotton sector.
Rights
News
Complaint lodged for forced labour in IFC-funded project in Uzbekistan
Forced labour victim and human rights defenders have filed a complaint with CAO, alleging that IFC knowingly finances a company benefiting from forced labour.
Rights
News
IMF conditions weaken labour rights, World Bank labour policy inconsistent
March IMF policy paper advocates liberalisation and lowering of labour market protections although makes case for stimulus when there is 'available fiscal space'. World Bank displays inconsistent labour policy implementation. IMF U-turn on advice regarding Germany’s introduction of minimum wage.
Rights
News
IMF and World Bank labour policies criticised by UN expert
The UN expert on foreign debt has published a report critical of IMF and World Bank policies related to labour rights, claiming that the evidence does not support their pproach.
Featured briefings
12 October 2020
World Bank and IMF Annual Meetings 2020
6 October 2020
The Bretton Woods Observer: Autumn 2020
6 October 2020
Repairing harm caused: What could a reparations approach mean for the IMF and World Bank?
It is time for the IMF and World Bank to understand their own responsibility and decolonise their approach.