Over 1,000 trade unionists representing around 200 million working people in over 130 countries have gathered in Australia for the global workers’ parliament. The International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC) World Congress brings together over 300 national trade unions every four years to set the global agenda for trade unions.
Debate will centre on the theme of a new social contract: climate-friendly jobs, workers’ rights, just wages, social protection, equality and inclusion.
The event was opened by Joy Murphy Wandin, a Wurundjeri elder with a strong focus on Australia’s first nations heritage with a “welcome to country” and performances from the Djirri Djirri Dancers, Keirnan Ironfield, Shellie Morris and Daniel Wilfred.
Delegates were welcomed by Pat Dodson, a Labor Senator for Western Australia and Yawuru elder who has dedicated his life to fighting for the rights of First Nations: “These have been difficult years, with human catastrophes that continue today. It is heartening to see you all here, from all over the world, defenders of labour rights and human rights.
“The First Nations have struggled here for 250yrs for recognition, justice and peace in this country. We’ve much common ground with the aspirations of the union movement. There’s strength in solidarity, much can be achieved when we come together. This is particularly important in a world with record levels of inequality, exploitation and destruction.”
Other speakers included ITUC President Ayuba Wabba (NLC Nigeria), Australian Council of Trade Unions (ACTU) President Michelle O’Neil, and ACTU Secretary Sally McManus who said: “We are in the fight our lives here to finally win new rights for working people after years of anti-union governments, and we’re lifted by the energy in this room of the international trade union movement.”
Unions fighting for peace and social justice
Presenting the Freedom Report 2022: Unions Building Peace , ITUC General Secretary Sharan Burrow said: “Some two billion people live in conflict-affected countries, with 56 state-based conflicts in the world today.
“International humanitarian trade union solidarity, such as the major efforts to support workers in Ukraine, Myanmar and elsewhere, is part of a broader framework of trade union efforts to build and sustain peace and to avoid conflicts and rebuild in their aftermath. The world must learn from this example.
“If world leaders can come together to look at addressing the threats from climate change, then it should also invest in global dialogue on measures to prevent conflict, to end existing conflicts and to rebuild in the aftermath of war in a just and sustainable way.
“There are many examples of trade union action for peace, justice and democracy. We take pride in these achievements and the inspiration we draw from them will help unions everywhere plan and campaign for fundamental freedoms, democracy and peace.”
