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Women activists from the Arab World demand practical steps for the future
29 August 2008
 |  |  view larger image | | | Participants take part in the opening workshop of the women's seminar | |
Women trade unionists have called for measures to promote the role of female workers to help strengthen union organising in the long term.
Some 20 trade union women from eight countries gathered in Amman, Jordan, this week for a three-day seminar focusing on strategic campaigning and organising methods. The event, in which women from newly affiliated unions from Bahrain and Algeria also participated, provided the women with the opportunity to discuss ways of strengthening their unions to tackle the problems of globalisation.
During a skills workshop and working groups, the participants identified the need to organise strategic groups of women workers in rail companies, ports and the aviation sector. They also designed a plan for promoting women’s rights in International Labour Organization conventions.
In addition the workers expressed solidarity with visiting workers struggling for rights in a Jordanian low-cost carrier.
The seminar ended with a set of recommendations for practical steps for the future. These included an education strategy for the region and regular communication via an online newsletter in Arabic produced by ITF women.
“It’s great to see women blossom into strong trade union activists at the heart of the ITF,” said Kalthoum Barkallah, Arab World representative on the ITF Women’s Committee. “These activists are the hope for a prosperous trade union future.”
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