Regional TUDCN workshop on the effectiveness of trade union cooperation in São Paulo
The Cooperation Network of the Trade Union Confederation of the Americas (TUCA) held a workshop in São Paulo on “Trade Union Cooperation Effectiveness in South America”, from 19 to 20 October 2015. The meeting provided an opportunity for more in-depth discussion of the growing weight of South-South and triangular development cooperation in South America, at both government and trade union level. Trade union cooperation in the sub-region was examined in relation to the Trade Union Principles on Development Effectiveness and the TUDEP assessment tool.
The 13th Regional General Council of ITUC Asia Pacific in Singapore, on 24-25 October 2015, approved the formation of a regional chapter of the Trade Union Development Cooperation Network (TUDCN). The first official meeting of the TUDCN Asia Pacific regional network will take place in April 2016 in Bangkok, together with the TUDCN General Meeting.
2nd Inter-Agency Expert Group (IAEG) on SDG indicators
The ITUC, Education International and Public Services International along with a number of CSOs attended the second meeting of the Inter-Agency Expert Group (IAEG) on SDG indicators, in Bangkok on 26-28 October 2015. Several UN agencies, including the ILO were also present, in addition to the membership of the IAEG and a handful of Member State observers.
TUDCN at EESC conference “Sustainable Development Goals: Implementation in Europe”
Paola Simonetti, TUDCN Coordinator, spoke at the event "Sustainable Development Goals: Implementation in Europe", organised by the European Economic and Social Committee in Brussels, on 12 November 2015. Simonetti stressed the engagement of trade unions in the post-2015 process and offered valuable examples of decent work mechanisms to implement 2030 Agenda, particularly social dialogue and collective bargaining.
ITUC Frontlines Briefing - Climate justice: Paris and Beyond
With the COP21 around the corner, this ITUC Frontlines Briefing outlines the trade unions' topline demands for the climate conference and calls for action for those attending the event.
TUCA publication on Trade Union Perspectives on the Informality
The Trade Union Confederation of the Americas (TUCA) has published a report on Trade Union Perspectives on the Informality. It outlines the challenge of decent work in the informal economy, while it offers an outlook on the regulatory environment of informal work at an international level. Moreover, it develops the role of integrated policy frameworks in the transition to the formal economy.
2030 Agenda: a new framework for development policies
By Félix Antonio Ovejero Torres, Director of Paz y Solidaridad Fundación Primero de Mayo (CC.OO, Spain)
The 17 Sustainable Development Goals have emerged out of a fragile equilibrium that could easily have been broken if the debate had been reopened in the General Assembly itself. Agreement was shaky on the issues of human rights, gender and equality, over which there was profound disagreement between countries, with the strongest resistance coming from Saudi Arabia and China. There is still a lack of consensus in the international community over fundamental rights such as freedom of expression or gender equality, and that is apparent in the new agenda. Rights are barely recognised and there is talk of facilitating access, for example, to education, health, etc.
Ending the exploitation in the textile sector in Jordan
By Tula Connell (Solidarity Center, USA)
The “Made in Jordan” label is familiar to U.S. consumers shopping for shirts, jeans and other clothes. Mervat Jumhawi, a Jordanian union organizer, is actively ensuring the largely migrant workforce that cuts and sews these garments does so in safe conditions, receives fair wages and is treated with respect on the job.
Linking trade union action to climate issues to ensure decent work
By the International Department of the CGSLB (Belgium)
In the run-up to the Paris Climate Conference (COP21), the CGSLB and its partners from South Africa, Burkina Faso, DR Congo, Senegal, Burundi and Mauritania came together in Brussels to reflect on climate issues within the framework of their trade union cooperation. The consequences of tomorrow require that we start work today to lay the foundations for sustainable trade unionism that will rise to the challenge of the global transformations in labour relations and working conditions.
José Antonio Ocampo joins the ILO in the fight for universal social protection
The former Colombian finance minister and current Columbia University professor has been appointed by the ILO as Goodwill Ambassador with a focus on universal social protection.
This document has been produced with the financial assistance of the European Union. The contents of this document are the sole responsibility of the ITUC and can under no circumstances be regarded as reflecting the position of the European Union.
