5 May, 2011Gender, trade union networks, solidarity, trade, employment and development issues and also focused on the mission, objectives and structure of the new international trade union federation were on the agenda at this conference.
MEXICO: The IMF Regional Conference for Latin American and Caribbean affiliates was held in Mexico City on May 2 and 3. Union delegates discussed the advantages for strengthening trade unionism opened up by the creation of a new international trade union federation, uniting the IMF, ICEM and ITGLWF.
One day earlier conference participants attended the May Day rally in Mexico in support of IMF affiliate the Mexican Miners' Union and other independent and democratic unions in Mexico.
The regional conference held an important debate about the creation of the new international trade union federation, in which affiliates shared their opinions and doubts about the process. IMF General Secretary, Jyrki Raina, gave an update on the progress, decisions and meetings that have taken place and will take place to finalise drafting of the mission and objectives.
The conference also debated gender, trade union networks, solidarity, trade, employment and development issues. Affiliates assessed implementation of national and regional Action Programmes with the focus on precarious employment.
A separate meeting was held on women and this debated women's participation in trade union structures, assessed the situation at affiliates in the region and discussed the shape of structures in the new International federation.
Affiliates looked at the problems particular to each country and affiliate in the region, for example the struggle of Acepar workers in Paraguay and the violation of trade union rights in Colombia and Mexico.
On closing the conference, Jyrki Raina called on delegates to recognise the importance of social and political alliances for advancing the cause of trade unionism and thanked delegates for their contributions to the debates held during the conference.