TUC 2005 Annual Congress: report on international issues

TUC 2005 Annual Congress: report on international issues

The Make Poverty History theme was echoed in many of the 2005 Congress events. International issues debated included Iraq, China and Venezuela.

As expected, Make Poverty History was one of the key highlights of the TUC's annual Congress in Brighton from 12-15 September. As well as being the President Jeannie Drake's theme of the week and profiled in her address to Congress (http://www.tuc.org.uk/congress/tuc-10542-f0.cfm), the campaign was the subject of Make Poveryty History fringe meetings on aid on Tuesday and on trade on Wednesday, a reception on Tuesday evening, and fringe meetings organised by others on corporate accountability, HIV/AIDS, and developments in countries in Latin America, Africa and the Middle East.

Highlights of the week included International Development Secretary Hilary Benn speaking at the aid fringe, his deputy Gareth Thomas addressing the reception, and guest speakers from Colombia (CUT General Secretary Carlos Rodriguez spoke to Congress - see http://www.tuc.org.uk/congress/tuc-10568-f0.cfm), Iraq, Uganda and Venezuela. On White Band Day II (the Saturday before Congress), the traditional cricket match between the TUC and the press which ended in the first TUC win for 20 years (by one run!) the TUC team were outfitted in 'Make Poverty History: Respect Workers' Right' t-shirts. Every delegate was issued with one of the TUC's white wristbands, and a collection was held. On Wednesday morning, members of the Professional Footballers' Association moved their motion on trade union involvement in the community by announcing that the collection had raised £800 for the TUC's campaigning which the PFA promptly matched. A PFA delegate then read a special message from the former South African President Nelson Mandela, prepared especially for Congress.

On the Wednesday afternoon, Congress spent the whole session discussion international matters, and delegates rose to congratulate the TUC for work on lesbian and gay rights, Colombia and other issues, and passed a range of motions on globalization, the role of women, China (a nail-biting card vote), Iraq, Venezuela and Western Sahara. And ICFTU President Guy Ryder spoke (http://www.tuc.org.uk/congress/tuc-10570-f0.cfm) about the new campaigning international trade union movement, with Make Poverty History a stand-out example of what unions can do worldwide.

The TUC will, accordingly, be sending delegations to Venezuela and Western Sahara, supporting free trade unionism in China and Iraq, and making the case for the development of trade unions across the global south.