Eighteen leading women trade unionists from Algeria, Bahrain, Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Libya, Morocco, Palestine, Yemen and the host country are participating in both events in Tunisia. They represent workers across the transport industries, including ports, aviation and tourism.
The four-day ITF training programme with Dr Elaine Bernard, executive director of Harvard’s Labour and Worklife Programme, and ITF women’s coordinator Alison McGarry, is the first to be delivered in the Arab World. It aims to build on women’s existing qualities and experiences to support them in becoming stronger leaders and building more powerful unions.
Kalthoum Barkallah, ITF women's committee representative for the Arab World, said: “Over the four days of training, we shared a range of leadership activities and tools, from alliance building and strategic planning to organising. This will have immediate practical outcomes, as it assisted the women’s committee to develop our four-year strategy. We’re pleased that union leaders from the region joined us at the start of our committee meeting to share our thoughts.”
ITF women’s co-ordinator Alison McGarry added that the training was completed at the committee meeting, where members planned the 2014-18 work programme focusing on organising, campaigning and developing strong union leaders in the Arab world.
The ITF is also encouraging women trade unionists to sign up for its Women leaders lighting fires leadership event in Maryland, United States on 2-7 November 2014. Find out more on the Facebook event page.
Groundbreaking training to help Arab World women trade unionists set agenda
news
ON THE GROUND
news
Transport workers call for peace, justice and disarmament
24–30 October marks United Nations Disarmament Week — a moment for the global trade union movement to renew its call for peace, justice and the elimination of weapons of mass destruction. The
news
Seafarers must be at the heart of shipping’s climate transition, says ITF
The International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF) has urged governments to use the coming year to rebuild trust and reach agreement on a fair and practical path to decarbonising shipping — one
news
Rotterdam lashers’ strike wins new agreement
Dockworkers from FNV Havens win improved pay and conditions after bringing Port of Rotterdam to standstill with biggest ever strike. Concerted strike action by lashers from International Transport
