Benito Bahena

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Posição da página: The 41st Congress of the ITF > My Congress > Interviews > Benito Bahena

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What are the high points of this Congress? This is my third ITF Congress – and as always, the issues we are debating demonstrate that as transport workers we have the same problems, worldwide. This time I think that gender equality and the fight against HIV/Aids are a priority. Fortunately we have the solidarity and unity that’s necessary to find solutions. Most delegates from the different organisations are building strength, even though many of us are suffering from neoliberal policies and face big problems.

What are the low points? Actually, there are none. The section meetings and workshops here are important for workers. The leadership of the ITF – ranging from the ITF President to the ITF coordinators in each country – makes real efforts to resolve problems. One example is the case of the Tehran bus workers colleague who is detained now, because of his trade union activity. It’s very important that we have the capacity to address cases like this.

"We are also strongly opposing a proposed reform of the labour law, which would take away many of the historic achievements won by and for Mexican workers."

Have you talked to other delegates about what’s happening in Mexico? We talk to lots of delegates, and we are getting support. In Mexico we are opposing electoral fraud, committed by the President in our latest national elections. We know that the coalition “Por lo bien de todos, primero los pobres y los trabajadores” led by Lopez Obrador won the elections, in reality. Now we are defending ourselves. We are also strongly opposing a proposed reform of the labour law, which would take away many of the historic achievements won by and for Mexican workers.

What is happening more generally in Latin America? The problems we have are the result of neoliberal policies across Latin America. The objective is to eradicate trade unions. In Mexico for example, this has started with an attack on the mining and metalworkers’ union, whose General Secretary was removed by the government, and replaced with another, who wasn’t even a miner. We unions are fighting for changes across the continent. Happily, Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Uruguay and Venezuela have seen political changes. This is good news.

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