Comment: Unions are a vital part of the global social movment

In January 2004 the World Social Forum (WSF) moves to Asia for the first time. There is a strong union presence in Bombay (particularly among transport workers) and union participation in the WSF this year is likely to be much more evident. The global union federations are organising some major events. The ITF is coordinating one global unions event under the banner of Mobilising Solidarity, which will focus on the links between unions and communities.

The ITF’s participation has four main objectives. The first is to inform the thousands of people involved in NGOs and community-based organisations attending the forum that trade unions are a key part of any movement for social change. Unions participated in the WSF in Porto Alegre, Brazil for three years running, but were hardly visible. No one really knew we were there. One of our objectives in Bombay will be a much more visible union presence.

Secondly, we need to participate actively in the discussions and debates going on. The WSF is certainly the world’s biggest international networking event for social movements from environmental organisations to aid agencies and trade unions. There is a lot to learn from one another.

Third, the WSF provides an opportunity for “civil society” to come together in a global event to discuss issues connected to globalisation. Unions want to be a part of strengthening this global civil society movement, and see it as playing a role in supporting democracy and democratic societies. Finally we have practical objectives in building useful alliances where we can find common ground. The ITF already does this with organisations such as Greenpeace, the World Wide Fund For Nature, and Human Rights Watch. We have found that these alliances strengthen our campaign work considerably and we need to look at how to further develop these ways of working.

One positive step – at least for the union bodies who are invited to both – has been to “de-link” the dates of the WSF and the World Economic Forum. While the WSF retains its identity as a counter-forum to the WEF – whose agenda is set by governments, corporations and financial institutions – these are two wholly separate events. Unions enter them with different agendas and on completely different terms. In fact union participation is getting stronger and more organised at both events. But while there are two events, the unions have a single purpose: to improve the world for working people.