Workers form new international trade union

Accra, Nov. 1, - Over 1700 participants worldwide on Wednesday created a new world trade union body, the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC).

The new trade union international came into being by a vote of its democratically elected workers' representatives in Vienna, Austria, according to a statement received in Accra.

The statement said the new organization brings together 306 affiliated national centers from 154 countries and territories and has 168 million members.

Eight new organizations joined the former affiliates of the International Confederation of Free Trade Unions and the World Confederation of Labour. The new affiliates are CUT Colombia, UWTA-CS Angola, CTA Argentina, FISEMA Madagascar, CGT France, OPZZ Poland, TUC-N Nigeria and GEFONT Nepal.

The statement said following the formal ratification of a list of affiliates and the election of the Congress officers, the delegates adopted the Constitution and Standing Orders of the new organization, thus formally creating the ITUC.

The constitution sets out the aims of the new organization, including the commitment to provide all workers everywhere with access to decent work and freedom from war, poverty, injustice and discrimination.

"Today marks the beginning of a rejuvenated trade union movement. In founding the ITUC we acknowledge that as the world of work is changing so must we," Mr Guy Ryder, the former General Secretary of the ICFTU said.

"Taking our proud history of solidarity as a cornerstone, today (Wednesday) we begin creating a new internationalism, one determined to make a real difference in people's lives," he added.

The Congress will on Wednesday begin a debate on the ITUC's action programme which will provide a roadmap for the ITUC to fulfill its mission of defending and promoting trade union rights, grappling with the rising power of multinationals, ending child labour and achieving equality.

"But of course it is only through united, consistent and concerted action that we will succeed and the ITUC provides us with the right tools to face this challenge," Mr Willy Thys, former General Secretary of the WCL commented.

The ITUC represents 168 million workers through its 306 affiliated organisations within 154 countries and territories.