TURNESIA, 16 April 2010: Nine Arab trade union organisations affiliated to the Inernational Trade Union Confederation, ITUC, met in Hammamet, Tunisia, from 14 to 16 April, together with six guest union organisations from the region. Open and constructive discussions were held with ITUC General Secretary Guy Ryder on the ITUC’s strategy for the Arab region, within the framework of preparatory discussions ahead of the ITUC Congress in Vancouver (Canada) in June.
– These discussions allowed us to establish our shared resolve to develop a strong permanent ITUC presence in the Arab region, through our office in Amman, which is set to become a regional secretariat with a strengthened mandate to promote a space for exchange and cooperation based on the fundamental principles of free and independent trade unionism, said Guy Ryder., and continued: The delegates to the conference unanimously confirmed their commitment to the fundamental principles that underpin the unity between the ITUC’s affiliates, underlined Guy Ryder.
The abrupt economic changes affecting Arab countries are undermining fundamental rights and the interests of the region’s workers, resulting in increased pauperisation, unemployment, and the casualisation and informalisation of work. Too many political regimes in the region continue to be marked by authoritarianism and a democratic deficit, hindering the recognition and full exercise of trade union rights.
In accordance with its fundamental objective to defend trade union rights around the world, the ITUC and its Arab affiliates expressed their will to develop a regional and sub-regional network to promote cooperation in the defence of trade union rights. In line with this objective, the ITUC announced the forthcoming launch of an observatory to monitor trade union rights violations in Arab and Middle Eastern Countries. By supplying quick and relevant information on trade union rights violations in the region, this observatory will contribute to raising media and public awareness about trade union rights and denouncing anti-union practices, with a view to promoting national, regional and international mobilisation to foster greater respect for human and trade union rights in the region.
The ITUC represents 176 million workers in 155 countries and territories and has 312 national affiliates.
