World Federation Of Trade Unions: Comprehensive Notes for UPSC

Tracing the Origins of the World Federation of Trade Unions

The WFTU was envisioned as a global federation of trade unions, aiming to replace the International Federation of Trade Unions. Its structure was modeled along the lines of the United Nations , intending to unite all global trade unions under its umbrella. However, the implementation of the Marshall Plan led to numerous disagreements, resulting in the formation of the International Confederation of Free Trade Unions (ICFTU). The WFTU primarily consisted of unions affiliated with or sympathetic towards communist parties. During the Cold War , it was often depicted as a Soviet-backed organization intending to destabilize the economies of capitalist Western nations.

A Closer Look at the World Federation of Trade Unions

To gain a better understanding of the WFTU, let's examine some key facts about the organization:

The WFTU's Journey Post the Cold War

With the dissolution of the Soviet Union and the fall of socialist governments in Eastern Europe, the WFTU witnessed a significant decline. Many of its constituent unions switched loyalties to the ICFTU. However, the decline was arrested during the 2005 congress in Havana, where Greek union activist Georges Mavrikos was elected as the leader.

In January 2006, the WFTU moved its headquarters from Prague, Czech Republic to Athens, Greece. The organization shifted its focus to establishing regional federations of unions in the Third World and organizing campaigns against racism, poverty, and the exploitation of workers under capitalism. It also advocated for full employment, social security, health protection, and trade union rights. The WFTU devotes significant resources to issuing statements about labor laws, organizing conferences, and creating educational materials for trade union leaders.

The WFTU has forged working partnerships with national and industrial trade unions worldwide, as well as with several international and regional trade union organizations, including the Organization of African Trade Union Unity (OATUU), the International Confederation of Arab Trade Unions (ICATU), the Permanent Congress of Trade Union Unity of Latin America (CPUSTAL), and the General Confederation of Trade Unions of CIS countries.

The WFTU holds consultative status with the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations, the International Labour Organisation (ILO), UNESCO, FAO, and other UN agencies. It maintains permanent missions in New York, Geneva, and Rome.

Further Reading for Aspiring UPSC Candidates

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