World Confederation of Labour (WCL)
Confédération mondiale du travail (CMT)
Confederación Mundial del Trabajo (CMT)
Weltverband der Arbeitnehmer (WVA)
Wereldverbond van de Arbeid (WVA)
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Founded
1920-06-19 The Hague Netherlands
History
19 Jun 1920, The Hague (Netherlands), as International Federation of Christian Trade Unions (IFCTU) -- Confédération internationale des syndicats chrétiens (CISC), with an orientation explicitly based upon Christian social principles, a Secrétariat international chrétien having been created by Zurich (Switzerland) Conference in 1908. In 1960, also took over the activities of U-XH3935 - Federation of Christian Trade Unions in the ECSC, which had existed from 1955. At 16th Congress, 1-4 Oct 1968, Luxembourg, IFCTU adopted its present name and a new Declaration of Principles which, without abandoning the spiritual and humanistic principles which shape its identity, gave it a universal dimension. At 17th Congress, 1969, Geneva (Switzerland), the structure of WCL was adapted to bring it into line with the new geographical realities within which the Third World was playing an increasing role for its world expansion. Current Statutes adopted by 20th Congress, 9-14 Nov 1981, Manila (Philippines); modified by: 21st Congress, Oct 1985, Baden (Austria); 22nd Congress, Nov 1989, Caracas (Venezuela); 23rd Congress, Oct 1993, Mauritius; 24th Congress, Dec 1997, Bangkok (Thailand); 25th Congress, Oct 2001, Bucharest (Romania). Ceased to exist 31 Oct 2006; merged with H-XA1667 - International Confederation of Free Trade Unions (ICFTU) to form A-XM2085 - International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC).
Aims
(a) Gain recognition and effective application in economic and social life of the principles defined in the Declaration, with a view to establishing a society organized according to these principles; (b) contribute to the establishment, consolidation and development at national, regional and world levels, in both federal and confederal fields, of a trade union movement which is inspired by these principles; (c) gain respect for trade union freedom and guarantee exercise of this right for all workers worldwide; (d) give moral and material support to member organizations and ensure permanent collaboration among them within WCL; (e) take action aimed at respect for and promotion of workers' dignity and at improvement of their living conditions; (f) develop effective solidarity between affiliated organizations and their members.
General philosophy: active non-alignment with respect to super-powers or economic, political or military power blocks; rejection of imperialism and defence of self-determination and sovereignty of peoples; condemnation of capitalism, of Marxist statism and of all types of dictatorship; the struggle for human and union rights and for democratic freedom in all countries, independent of their geographical, political or ideological position; priority for the Third World; unceasing efforts for peace, disarmament, conversion of military industries, political solutions and negotiation; the concept of development of solidarity of peoples in the framework of a new dimension in international relations and the world economic order; independence of the trade union movement in the face of pressure or geopolitical interests of parties, the Church, business leaders and all influences foreign to that movement; seeking a new solidarity among workers, nations, continents, sectors, at all levels of human society.
Events
36 past events available with paid subscription only.Activities
Available with paid subscription only.Structure
Congress (every 4 years). Confederal Board of 48 members, including President, Secretary General, 2 Deputy Secretaries General and 6 Vice-Presidents (meeting annually). Executive Committee, comprising President, Secretary General, 2 Deputy Secretaries General, 6 Vice-Presidents and Treasurer (meeting twice a year). Secretariat General, headed by Secretary General. Regional Organizations: H-XD0200 - Brotherhood of Asian Trade Unionists (BATU); H-XD2875 - Latin American Central of Workers; H-XD4187 - Democratic Organization of African Workers' Trade Unions (DOAWTU). National Alliance of Postal and Federal Employees (NAPFE), Washington DC (USA), represents WCL in North America. WCL is also present in Central and Eastern Europe. U-XF6111 - International Trade Federations (ITF), currently 8, have united in WCL's activities from the very beginning (some pre-dating IFCTU) and are represented in its statutory organs; U-XE9785 - World Committee for Trade Action - WCL (WCTA) is ITF statutory body within WCL and is serviced by Secretariat for Trade Action - WCL. Congress and Council open; other meetings closed.
Languages
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Available with paid subscription only.Finance
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Available with paid subscription only.UN Sustainable Development Goals **
UIA Org ID
XA3490
Last News
2006
** UN SDGs are linked to the subject classification.
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