World trade unions vow to fight globalization By Scott Marshall and Jarvis Tyner DURBAN, South Africa - Bill Jordan, general secretary, of the International Confederation of Free Trade Unions (ICFTU), opened its 17th World Congress April 3 declaring, "The challenge of the 21st century for the trade union movement is to assert our political and industrial strength in the era of globalization." Over 1,000 delegates representing trade union federations from around the world, with a combined membership of 124 million, gathered here to discuss and debate the struggles ahead. This was only the second time the ICFTU had met on the African continent and the first time in South Africa. Jordan and others noted the special significance of meeting in a new, democratic South Africa after the long struggle against apartheid. The theme of the 17th Congress is "Globalizing Social Justice: Trade Unionism in the 21st Century." The week-long congress emphasizes many of the burning issues confronting labor, especially multinational corporate domination of world trade policies. Other issues include the fight against privatization, the economic and social rights of nationally and racially oppressed people, women, and youth. Economic assistance to developing nations and regions, eliminating the scourge of AIDS, the fight for jobs, sustainable economies, health care, public education, the environment and the debt crisis of impoverished nations are also on the agenda. A highlight of the week was a women's march from the city center to the International Convention Center where the congress is being held. There, 1,000 women were greeted by the delegates with music and speeches. The march was in solidarity with the World March of Women 2000 at the UN this year. In paying homage to the heroic struggles of the South African people and the worldwide role of labor in fighting to end apartheid rule, Jordan said, "Brothers, sisters, can there be a better place on earth than South Africa for us to reaffirm our commitment to trade unionism's fundamental values - a country whose trade unionists through their strength, determination and dedication, backed by the solidarity of other trade unionists around the world, moved center stage in the struggle to rid South Africa of oppression and minority rule?" He added, "We gather on the continent of Africa where the visible injustice of a global market system cries out for remedy. That remedy is our business." Zwelimzima Vavi, general secretary of the Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU), told the delegates, "The demonstrations in Seattle were global protest that signaled the end of the cozy club of government and big business." He pointed to rampant global capitalism as the culprit in forcing structural adjustments and privatization on underdeveloped countries. Vavi said that these policies have nothing to do with economic development, but are for debt repayment, to service the needs of finance capital. Labor must reject the notion that there is no alternative to multinational domination. He ended his remarks by noting the new growing mood of resistance to the present world order. We must remember that ever true slogan, he said, "'Workers of the world unite.'" Nancy Riche, of the Canadian Labor Council and chair of the ICFTU's Women's Committee, also spoke in the opening ceremonies. She said the plight of women is getting worse despite the best efforts of the progressive movements. "The wage gap is widening and women are working longer hours, getting less education and less pay," she said. Riche especially condemned export processing zones around the world, which employ a large percentage of women at substandard wages and in unhealthy, dangerous conditions. While the basic thrust of the congress is progressive and aimed at the multinationals and governments that support their interests, there are still some lingering cold war issues that beg discussion. Some delegates privately complained that the ICFTU is still trying to define itself in terms of its cold-war rhetoric and not focusing enough on trying to build an all-inclusive international trade union solidarity. Delegates speaking in the first plenary stressed the need to build world trade union unity to meet the crisis of globalization. Though not mentioned in the congress so far, Jordan has just returned from a trip to China to meet with the All China Federation of Trade Unions. In a press conference before the Congress, answering a question about his trip, Jordan said the ICFTU would not refuse to talk to any unions. Antonio Panzeri, a delegate from the Italian labor federation representing 2.3 million members, summed the issue up saying, "The ICFTU does not represent all the workers of the world. We must mobilize the resources of the entire world labor movement to win."
