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20 December, 2004International trade and development, China and preparations for Congress were just some of the topics of lively debates at the recent IMF Executive Meeting.
GENEVA: IMF's budget and programme of activities for 2005 were approved by the Executive Committee at its meeting on December 15 and 16, 2004. Lively discussions took place on a number of topics during the meeting including the issue of trade and development, China, congress preparations and the recent US elections.
A report from the Ad Hoc Working Group on Trade, Finance and Development Policies outlined issues such as promotion of workers' rights, strategies to influence government policy and international institutions and the establishment of fair rules to govern globalisation. Jean Ziegler, Professor of Sociology at the University of Geneva, also addressed the Executive on globalisation, transnational companies (TNCs) and the role of financial institutions. "The one hundred largest TNCs increase sales and profits each year, but create fewer and fewer jobs," said Zeigler, arguing that the neo-liberal capitalist system destroys jobs rather than creates them and that it undermines the sovereignty of nation states.
Göran Johnsson, Swedish Metalworkers' Union, reported from the Ad Hoc Working Group on China, including information on what activities IMF affiliates are currently engaged in with Chinese workers and trade unions. The report led to a lengthy debate about how IMF should position itself in relation to China. While all were in agreement on the importance of the issue, counter arguments were presented on whether to work with the existing unions or to focus attention on supporting independent worker organisations.
The 31st IMF World Congress was also on the agenda, including proposed changes to IMF Rules and Motions. The changes were supported by the IMF Executive and will now be taken to Congress for consideration. Presenting the Secretariat Report, IMF general secretary Marcello Malentacchi discussed International Framework Agreements, the recent ICFTU Congress, reported on recent events that have occurred around the world and mentioned IMF's involvement at the next World Social Forum.
At the meeting the following new members were welcomed to the IMF Executive:
Erkki Vuorenmaa was elected President of the IMF Shipbuilding Department, replacing Kjell Bjørndalen.
The IMF also welcomed the following newly affiliated members, whose applications to join the IMF were unanimously supported by the IMF Executive:
The next meeting of the IMF Executive, focusing on the draft Action Programme and other Congress matters, will be in Geneva on February 22, 2005.
A report from the Ad Hoc Working Group on Trade, Finance and Development Policies outlined issues such as promotion of workers' rights, strategies to influence government policy and international institutions and the establishment of fair rules to govern globalisation. Jean Ziegler, Professor of Sociology at the University of Geneva, also addressed the Executive on globalisation, transnational companies (TNCs) and the role of financial institutions. "The one hundred largest TNCs increase sales and profits each year, but create fewer and fewer jobs," said Zeigler, arguing that the neo-liberal capitalist system destroys jobs rather than creates them and that it undermines the sovereignty of nation states.
Göran Johnsson, Swedish Metalworkers' Union, reported from the Ad Hoc Working Group on China, including information on what activities IMF affiliates are currently engaged in with Chinese workers and trade unions. The report led to a lengthy debate about how IMF should position itself in relation to China. While all were in agreement on the importance of the issue, counter arguments were presented on whether to work with the existing unions or to focus attention on supporting independent worker organisations.
The 31st IMF World Congress was also on the agenda, including proposed changes to IMF Rules and Motions. The changes were supported by the IMF Executive and will now be taken to Congress for consideration. Presenting the Secretariat Report, IMF general secretary Marcello Malentacchi discussed International Framework Agreements, the recent ICFTU Congress, reported on recent events that have occurred around the world and mentioned IMF's involvement at the next World Social Forum.
At the meeting the following new members were welcomed to the IMF Executive:
- Kjell Bjørndalen (Fellesforbundet, Norway) replacing Max Baehring, retired.
- Sanjay Wadavkar (SMEWFI, India) replacing K.S. Samantrai, deceased.
- Nobuaki Koga (IMF-JC, Japan) replacing Katsutoshi Suzuki, retired.
Erkki Vuorenmaa was elected President of the IMF Shipbuilding Department, replacing Kjell Bjørndalen.
The IMF also welcomed the following newly affiliated members, whose applications to join the IMF were unanimously supported by the IMF Executive:
- Finnish Electrical Workers' Union, with 31,203 manual worker members in the electrical installations, energy and telecommunications sector, of which 2,443 members are in the metal sector.
- Swaziland Amalgamated Trade Union (SATU), a manual workers' union which has 3,500 members in sectors such as automobile, engineering, electrical, non-ferrous metals, construction, mining, water and security guards.
The next meeting of the IMF Executive, focusing on the draft Action Programme and other Congress matters, will be in Geneva on February 22, 2005.