International trade union movement meets in Melbourne

After four years, the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC) will meet once again in Congress, this time in Melbourne, Australia. The home city of outgoing ITUC General Secretary Sharan Burrow will be the venue for a Congress held against the background of a pandemic, the Russian war and the energy crisis.

The ITUC represents approximately 200 million members of 322 affiliated organisations in 163 countries. The ITUC affiliates from Finland are the national employee confederations SAK and STTK.

The key objectives of the ITUC include promoting trade union cooperation on global issues, such as relations with the International Labour Organisation, the World Trade Organisation, the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund. The ITUC also plays an important role in coordinating assistance from employee organisations for trade unions defending fundamental rights in the most challenging circumstances.

Congress themes will include the status of employees in successive economic crises, defending democracy against growing authoritarianism in various parts of the world, and a fair transition towards a carbon-neutral economy.

SAK and STTK supporting Luca Visentini for new General Secretary

The upcoming Congress will elect a new General Council and General Secretary for the ITUC. Antti Palola of STTK currently serves on the General Council of the ITUC.

SAK and STTK have decided to support the candidacy of Luca Visentini from Italy as General Secretary in the upcoming election. Mr Visentini has been General Secretary of the European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC) since 2015.