Blog Archive
Congress passes the following Motions at BDC
Posted on July 13, 2011
Motion 38 - Towards International Solidarity - Wikileaks
Motion 39 - Towards International Solidarity - Palestine
Motion 40 - Towards International Solidarity - Solidarity with the Palestinian People
Combating extreme exploitation - report of meeting at Congress BDC
Posted on July 13, 2011
ITUC General Secretary, Sharan Burrow addressed a meeting at our recent Biennial Dlegate conference on the issue of combating extreme exploitation at work - especially the issue of Forced Labour. Denise Charlton also spoke about sexual exploitation in Ireland and the Turn off the Red Light campaign. Congress would like to thanks the PSEU and Irish Aid who co-sponsored this event. 
Congress passes motion on Colombia at 2011 Biennial Delegate Conference
Posted on July 12, 2011
The Irish Congress of Trade Unions passed a motion at its Bi-Annual Delegate Conference in Killarney last week (6th July) reaffirming its commitment to supporting the campaign to block the proposed EU-Colombia Free Trade Agreement and the campaign to free political prisoners. JFC Ireland has been instrumental in the lobbying efforts to block the EU-Colombia FTA campaign, achieving the consensus of all Irish MEPs, across all parties, in opposition to the proposed agreement.
Adoption of the Domestic Workers Convention
Posted on June 16, 2011
The Irish Congress of Trade Unions has called on the Government to take a "global lead" on workers rights by becoming the first to ratify a new landmark treaty that gives protection to domestic workers.
Speaking from Geneva following the historic vote at the International Labour Organisation (ILO), Congress Legal Affairs Officer Esther Lynch said: "Ireland should take the lead in this matter and be the first to ratify this new ILO Convention, which was supported by a huge majority at the ILO - including the Irish Government, unions and employers." More here
Campaigning works - Ask Rosalba! But more to do..
Posted on June 16, 2011
Last year, Congress asked you to send emails demanding that Colombia release Rosalba Gaviria Toro, a member of the agricultural workers' union who was jailed for her trade union work. This week, we received great news: Rosalba is free. She was absolved of all charges and then released from prison.
Trade unionists around the world face threats of prison and murder every day. And the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC) every year produces a report that makes for chiilling reading. This year, it reports on 90 murders of trade unionists -- more than half of these in Colombia. More here
Launch of Palestine Education
Posted on May 06, 2011
Palestine Education is a new initiative from the Ireland Palestine Solidarity Campaign. The aim of Palestine Education is to provide up to date, reliable and relevant information to groups, organisations and interested individuals who wish to understand the roots and realities of the Israel-Palestine conflict. To achieve this Palestine Education delivers a short development education introduction to Palestine - 'Promises' - An Introduction to Human Rights, Media and campaigning in the Israel-Palestine Conflict. Speaking about the initiaitve, Congress Global Solidarity Chairperson said: "The Global Solidarity committee of the ICTU welcomes the Palestinian Education Initiative. This initiative is clearly premised on core educational principles of critical thinking and reflection within a clearly identified values context - namely that of fundamental human rights as enunciated in various international United Nations treaties. More info here
Conrgress letter re Sri Lanka
Posted on April 08, 2011
Congress has written to Tanaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs, Eamon Gilmore TD, urging Irish Government support for a lasting peace in Sri Lanka. Read letter here
Read the latest Global Solidarity Newsletter
Posted on April 01, 2011
Important updates on our development education and solidarity work.
In this newsletter you will find news about Congress' support to the democratic revolutions in the Arab world. Women are playing a crucial role in these revolutions - read more about it in this issue
You can also learn more about the Global Solidarity Champions new three days intensive course, including interviews with the new Champions.
Read more about the establishment of the first Irish branch of the Clean Clothes Campaign, dedicated to improving working conditions and supporting the empowerment of garment workers in the Global South.
There are updates on our solidarity work with the trade unions in Colombia. The guest contributor this time is Nick Grisewood who writes about the importance of ILO and the Core Labour Standards.
"Refreshing, enlightening and extremely interesting"
Posted on March 01, 2011
Succesful Global Solidarity Champions course
- This course is refreshing, enlightening and extremely interesting, said Barbara Oskoz, CPSU, after attending the Global Solidarity Champions course. And her colleague Brian Sheridan added;
- The course has definitely broadened my horizon to such an extent that I would feel guilty if I didn't bring the information back to the union members to encourage them to become more aware and proactive on the issues of Global Solidarity.
The 5th Global Solidarity Champions courses ended on the 19th of February in Dublin. Ten new Global Solidarity Champions received their certificates. So far 50 trade unionists in the Republic have taken part in the course. The course is the main tool in Congress' development education programme, which also includes the Global Solidarity summer schools.
David Begg: End Sex Trafficking - Criminalise the purchase of sex
Posted on February 03, 2011
"A norm that promotes gender equality and global solidarity"
As awareness of the harm caused by sex trafficking and exploitation in the sex industry grows, men in favour of reform of Ireland's outdated prostitution laws spoke in support of the "Turn Off the Red Light: End Prostitution in Ireland" campaign on the 2nd of February.
Chaired by Theo Dorgan, among those to speak were two trade union leaders, David Begg General Secretary of ICTU and Eamon Devoy General Secretary of TEEU. They called for action to prevent the sexual exploitation of women and children in Ireland through dissuasive measures against those who buy sex.