INTERNATIONAL TRADE UNION CONFEDERATION (ITUC)
ITUC Online
012/230107
WSF 2007: unions out in force to demand decent work
Nairobi, 22 January 2007 (ITUC Online): The World Social Forum, an
international gathering for exchanging views on globalisation and human
and workers' rights, draws thousands of participants every year. This
year it is being held in Africa for the first time, in Nairobi, Kenya.
The opening of the Forum, yesterday, saw the launch of the global
campaign "Decent work for a decent life", which is being organised by an
alliance consisting of the ITUC, Social Alert, the GPF, Solidar and the
ETUC. The campaign is aimed at placing decent work at the centre of
national and international social, economic, development, financial and
trade policies. For the alliance, the notion of decent work comprises a
fair job, adequate pay, social protection, trade union rights and
non-discrimination.
"Decent work is a priority for everyone and one of the key factors for
getting us out of the current situation", stated Guy Ryder, the General
Secretary of the ITUC, attending the launch of the campaign.
"International trade and economic growth must be linked to that notion",
he added.
The launching of the campaign was followed by the traditional World
Trade Union Forum, bringing together trade union organisations from all
over the world. The Forum had a special note this year, since it was
organised by the newly-formed International Trade Union Confederation,
founded in Vienna in November 2006. The Forum demonstrated that the
unions were more united than ever and prepared to meet the challenge of
obtaining decent work. The unions again brought large numbers to the
Forum and are undoubtedly key players in the struggle for a fairer form
of globalisation.
Requests for interviews and other requests for information should be
made to Mathieu Debroux, ITUC Press Officer, who can be reached on the
following mobile phone number: +32 (0) 476 62 10 18
In Kenya the alternative phone number is: + 254 (0) 725 618 773
mathieu.debroux@ituc-csi.org
Founded on November 1 2006, the ITUC represents 168 million workers in
153 countries and territories and has 304 national affiliates.
http://www.ituc-csi.org
For more information, contact the ITUC Press Department on +32 2 224
0204 or mobile phone +32 477 580 486