26 May, 2009Affiliates debate IMF Action Programme 2009-2013 in day two of IMF World Congress.
GLOBAL: Delegates urged real implementation and unity of action during debate of the IMF Action Programme today.
Sections 3.1, 3.2 and 3.3 were all unanimously endorsed by the IMF World Congress, but not without strong debate.
"Solidarity is not just a word," said Horacio Fuentes (CONSTRAMET, Chile) speaking on section 3.1, Build Strong National Unions.
The need for regional approaches was emphasized by IMF-JC President Koichira Nishihara, and Alexei Etmanov from ITUA in Russia where attacks on unions are an increasing challenge.
"Without collective bargaining, there would be no union," said Antonino Regazzi (FLM, Italy) for section 3.2 Bargain Collectively
IMF affiliates were called on to share their experience in national collective bargaining by delegate Aparecido Sérgio Nobre from CNM-CUT in Brazil, where workers from different regions are paid radically different wages.
USW delegate, Carol Landry emphasized inequality in wages and working conditions for women, who are bearing the brunt of the global economic crisis.
Delegates reported that the crisis is worsening trade union rights abuses in Russia, Belarus, Chile, Columbia and elsewhere during debate for section 3.3, Defend and protect workers' rights.
John Vinesh Mudaliar (NUFCW, Fiji) summed up debate for section 3.3 and the day: "We come from many parts of the world, but we have one common task, and that is to fight for the workers."