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4 June, 2000The trade union movement must serve to unify people of different cultures, rather than to divide them.
SPAIN: Speaking at the Congress of the Metal Federation of the ELA-STV, on June 2 in San Sebastian, the IMF general secretary, Marcello Malentacchi, first touched on two major topics on the IMF's and trade unions' agenda today: globalisation of the economy and the link between trade union and civil rights. Malentacchi said he believed globalisation could be "a good instrument for sustainable growth and development if it is used in the right way." But for everyone to enjoy its benefits, important negative aspects will have to be eliminated.
The general secretary says the control of capital flow is in the hands of too few people and must be increasingly turned over to democratic institutions whose business is transparent, open to public scrutiny and accountable to the people. To control currency speculation, foreign exchange transactions must be taxed, with revenues under the control of the United Nations and used for development projects in the developing regions. Introduction of the so-called "Tobin tax" would, on the one hand, reduce speculation and, on the other, provide funds for these projects.
Although working and living conditions have improved in some countries and regions due to the massive inflow of foreign capital and technology, implementation of global standards to make sure workers' rights are respected must be continuously fought for. The ILO Declaration on Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work sets out the basic standards, and for governments and employers who do not practice these principles, the ILO will have to create a system of sanctions.
Globalisation also brings with it the meeting of different cultures. Malentacchi's remarks were greatly appreciated by the ELA Metal Congress when he spoke of the role of the trade union movement to unify people of different cultures, rather than to divide them. Safeguarding a national group's identity and bringing forth the best in this identity is positive, as opposed to an irrational kind of nationalism for political advantage, such as was seen in the last decade in the Balkans. "The defence of our own identity can never justify xenophobia, intolerance and terror, and to fight against them I am sure the trade union movement represents the great majority."
Re-elected as general secretary of ELA Metal was José Mari Larrañaga, who obtained 92 per cent of the votes.
The general secretary says the control of capital flow is in the hands of too few people and must be increasingly turned over to democratic institutions whose business is transparent, open to public scrutiny and accountable to the people. To control currency speculation, foreign exchange transactions must be taxed, with revenues under the control of the United Nations and used for development projects in the developing regions. Introduction of the so-called "Tobin tax" would, on the one hand, reduce speculation and, on the other, provide funds for these projects.
Although working and living conditions have improved in some countries and regions due to the massive inflow of foreign capital and technology, implementation of global standards to make sure workers' rights are respected must be continuously fought for. The ILO Declaration on Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work sets out the basic standards, and for governments and employers who do not practice these principles, the ILO will have to create a system of sanctions.
Globalisation also brings with it the meeting of different cultures. Malentacchi's remarks were greatly appreciated by the ELA Metal Congress when he spoke of the role of the trade union movement to unify people of different cultures, rather than to divide them. Safeguarding a national group's identity and bringing forth the best in this identity is positive, as opposed to an irrational kind of nationalism for political advantage, such as was seen in the last decade in the Balkans. "The defence of our own identity can never justify xenophobia, intolerance and terror, and to fight against them I am sure the trade union movement represents the great majority."
Re-elected as general secretary of ELA Metal was José Mari Larrañaga, who obtained 92 per cent of the votes.