Held in Amman, Jordan, this major conference brought together union representatives from across the region for five days of intense debate, fact-finding and planning. It tackled questions such as organising, strengthening the participation of young and women workers, and human and trade union rights in the region. There was also unanimous support for the continuing ITF aid for Palestinian workers’ union building efforts.
Speaking at the end of the event, ITF acting general secretary Steve Cotton told participants: “Your conference has been active, exciting, clever. This is a changing part of the world, and we will continue to stand with you and defend you. We are looking at the future; we will keep taking up the fight and delivering. You are tackling railway privatisation, you have made plans for workers with no voice in aviation and you have a work programme for Palestine.”
A particular feature of the conference was a vibrant new website that allowed both those who were at the conference and those who couldn’t make it to follow the events and participate in the proceedings and the exchange of views. Visit www.itfarabworld2013.org to get all the latest film, photos and news about and from the conference. You can also get more information on the ITF Arab World office here.
Similar sites will be launched for the upcoming ITF Africa and ITF America regional conferences.
