Worldwide, workers and their trade unions have a major stake in the fight against and corruption. With few exceptions those countries and companies that engage in corrupt practices also violate basic workers' and trade union rights. Contracts won through corrupt practices often result in the loss of jobs at companies with good employment practices. In addition, bribery and corruption undermine democracy itself. Corruption is a global problem requiring a global solution, involving partnerships between governments and the social partners. This partnership approach extends to the international trade union movement. The Trade Union Advisory Committee to the OECD (TUAC) and the International Confederation of Free Trade Unions (ICFTU) working closely together have a trade union network of unions from 143 developed and developing countries and territories.
Trade unions have long been engaged in anti-corruption campaigns, based on their dual concern for protecting employees and preserving the role and integrity of public services.
Its mission is to mobilise workers to share information and coordinate action to combat international corruption. UNICORN is focusing on grand corruption and specifically the economic capture of democratic institutions for private gain. UNICORN's role is to support and strengthen this action by undertaking empirical research and providing a platform for information exchange. Its aim is to separate fact from fiction and so make a critical contribution to the campaign against corruption.
