Dear Mr. Ryder,
I should like to congratulate you very cordially indeed on your election as General Secretary of the International Trade Union Confederation.
The merging of international and national umbrella organisations to from the International Trade Union Confederation is the logical reaction of the workers to the continuing globalisation of the world in almost all areas of society. I do appreciate that international trade unions will join ranks to fight for such urgent tasks as the creation of decent work, the elimination of poverty, the abolition of national and international inequality and to strive for growth and a fair income distribution.
I sincerely hope that the International Trade Union Confederation – in the interest of workers worldwide – sends out clear signals and thus becomes an indispensable partner for political, economic and other international organisations.
I wish you all the best and every success in your highly responsible position.
Yours sincerely
Franz Müntefering
German Labour Minister