In a society where the voices of those affected by unemployment are often drowned out in boardrooms and policy discussions, a major event was set to flip the narrative. From February 22 to 25, grassroots organisations from all over the country came together for the People’s Assembly on Unemployment, Austerity, and the Fight for Decent Work at St George’s Cathedral. This gathering took place just ahead of another budget announcement that threatens the livelihoods of the most vulnerable among us.

While business elites may gather for high-profile conferences, this Assembly focused on where it truly belongs: the experiences and struggles of those living with unemployment. This event aimed to amplify the voices of the unemployed, shifting the conversation from the privileged few who make decisions in isolation to the people directly impacted by those decisions.

The Assembly brought together popular movements, labour organisations, community activists, and rural and urban poor individuals. It was a space to confront the harsh realities of deepening inequality, mass unemployment, and austerity policies that often make life even harder for those already struggling. Together, participants worked to devise practical alternatives to budget cuts, privatisation, and the accumulation of wealth by a select few.

At the heart of the discussions were the real stories and experiences of workers, the rural poor, women, and young people, those who are often overlooked in traditional policy-making frameworks. This gathering was not just about discussing issues; it was about articulating bold proposals for decent work, sustainable livelihoods, and a comprehensive, state-led reindustrialisation initiative. It was a chance to demand an economic framework that breaks free from corruption and crony capitalism, one that prioritises the future and well-being of millions rather than a privileged few.

This was not merely a panel discussion or a conference; it was a call to action. An opportunity to mobilise, strategise, and develop a common program of action for sustained resistance against the forces of inequality and injustice. 

Read our declaration below.