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The WFTU

Document apparently from the New Delhi congress, 2000

COMPOSITION, AIMS & ACTIVITIES

The World Federation of Trade Unions (WFTU) is currently composed of associated and affiliated trade unions representing the collective interests of about 130 million workers from 120 countries worldwide. The organization's primary aims are to:

• defend and promote trade union, worker, and human rights;
• promote full employment;
• promote the development of social security arrangements for workers;
• combat all forms of worker discrimination and exploitation;
• advance ecologically-sound, sustainable development strategies;
• advance social and economic development and justice; and
promote international trade unionism.

The WFTU's seeks to realize the aforementioned objectives by organizing and coordinating international solidarity actions; disseminating information; organizing seminars and conferences; assisting in capacity building; conducting research and training activities; and representing its union affiliates in international and inter-governmental institutions.

As part of its efforts to advance its international agenda, the WFTU develops working partnerships with national and industrial trade unions worldwide as well as with a number of international and regional trade union organizations including the Organization of African Trade Union Unity (OATUU), the International Confederation of Arab Trade Unions (ICATU), the Permanent Congress of Trade Union Unity of Latin America (CPUSTAL), the General Federation of Trade Unions of CIS.

The WFTU holds consultative status with the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations, the ILO, UNESCO, FAO, and other UN agencies. It maintains permanent missions in New York, Geneva, and Rome.

STRUCTURE

The decision-making bodies of the WFTU are the World Trade Union Congress, the General Council, the Presidential Council, and the Secretariat. The primary governing body is the Congress which meets once every five years. The Congress is responsible for determining the broad policy guidelines for the WFTU. The General Council, which meets three times between Congresses, determines the activities of the organization. The Council is also responsible for electing the President, the General Secretary, Vice-Presidents, and Secretaries of the WFTU. The Presidential Council is the main governing body. It administers the activities of the Secretariat and executes the decisions of the Congress and the General Council. Finally, the Secretariat, the permanent executive body of the WFTU, is responsible for the implementation of decisions made by the Congress, the General Council, and the Presidential Council.

The WFTU maintains regional offices in New Delhi (Asia-Pacific), Dakar (Africa), Damascus (Middle East), and Havana (Americas).

TRADE UNIONS INTERNATIONALS

The Trade Unions Internationals (TUIs) are independent, international organizations which group together union affiliates on the basis of their industrial or occupational character. These organizations address trade-specific labor issues and spearhead union activities related to their respective industries or worker classifications. The TUIs determine their own rules and regulations, policies and programs, leadership, and organizational structure. Notwithstanding, the objectives and activities of the TUIs are consistent with those of the WFTU. TUIs participate in the General Council, the Presidential Council, and in the Secretariat as well as in various committees and working groups of the WFTU. They also play an important role in implementing the broad guidelines of the Congress in cooperation with the WFTU.

The following Trade Unions Internationals are constituted within the WFTU:

1. Trade Unions International of Agriculture, Food, Commerce, Textile, and Allied Industries

2. Trade Unions International of Public and Allied Employees

3. Trade Unions International of Energy, Metal, Chemical, Oil and Allied Industries

4. Trade Unions International of Transport Workers

5. Trade Unions International of Building, Wood and Building Materials Industries

6. World Federation of Teachers Unions

LEADERSHIP

President: Indrajit Gupta
General Secretary: Alexander Zharikov
Secretary (Asia-Pacific Region): Debkumar Ganguli
Secretary (Americas): Jose Ortiz
Vice President (Africa): Djibril Diop
Director (Middle East): Ibrahim Rangos

CONTACT INFORMATION

Headquarters
WFTU Regional Office, Asia-Pacific
WFTU Regional Office, Americas
WFTU Regional Office, Africa
WFTU Regional Office, Middle East

[Publisher's note: See also the World Federation of Trade Unions web site.]