THE leaders of the United States and Brazil launched a new initiative on Wednesday to advance the rights of working people in both countries.

US President Joe Biden and Brazilian President Luiz Inacio “Lula” da Silva met at the United Nations general assembly to launch the “US-Brazil Partnership For Workers’ Rights.”

The new joint initiative highlights the importance of decent jobs, good wages and ensuring that workers benefit from the digital and green energy transitions.

The two leaders said the new initiative would work to end forced labour and child labour, mitigate the impact on workers of the clean energy and digital economic transitions, promote safe and decent workplaces, and end workplace discrimination, including against women, LGBT people and racial and ethnic minorities.

President Biden said: “Let me be clear, whether it’s the auto workers’ union or any other union worker, record corporation profits should mean record contracts for union workers.”

Lula said the new initiative would help “arouse hope” for working families while deepening ties between the two countries. 

He said: “It’s more than just another bilateral. It’s a faith relationship that we are building here and a new era for US-Brazilian relations amongst equal partners.”

Lula added: “Poverty and inequality is not in the interest of anybody.”